First Outdoor Kid Climb, Near Pigeon Forge TN, Ijams Crag.
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My family is heading to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee in June. I’m looking for a good climbing area to top-rope with my kids. My 6 and 9 year old just stated climbing this year, both can handle Gym 5.7s and 5.8’s if they are not reach-ey. This will be their first outdoor experience. I’m looking for recommendations on an area where they can succeed and enjoy themselves. I can lead an set-up on a sport route. Any recommendations? Ijams Crag? Or is there another place? Any hidden guide walls? |
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Do you live in the area? If so I know of a few places I take my kids to. I jams has some easier stuff on the far left. Sometimes the holds can be a pita I have had one or two break on me, only climbed there twice. Stay on the trail and keep the kids out of the poison ivy. |
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Waldo, |
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If your taking 75 from Michigan to Tennessee it might be worth stopping in red river. The most accessible climbing from Severville will be ijams in Knoxville. Obed will be about 90 minutes and there's tons of climbing in Chattanooga about 2.5 hours away. |
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Fellow Michigander Dad.... |
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Bays Mountain park is 1-1/2 to 2 hr drive from PF. Good top rope set up. Super great for kids. I hit it up during a family visit in the area and it was fun. Easy but fun. |
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Pat and Ben, |
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If you had the time and really wanted to take the kids out climbing I would say drag them up this. |
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waldo wrote: If you had the time and really wanted to take the kids out climbing I would say drag them up this. I think a multi-pitch is a great place to start, jump in head first, in the deep end with no life jacket. LOL. |
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Michael Plumer wrote: Exactly. Lol |
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We are now planning a stop at the Red on our way. So, with a Saturday afternoon and a Sunday morning at the Red, I'm thinking Muir Valley. Any other suggestions? |
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get the graining fork permits if you can. might be less people. |
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Muir is loaded with great stuff. Hard to go wrong with that for a day. |
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Kids = Bruise Bros wall at Muir Valley. |
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Michael Plumer wrote: Waldo, Michael, I'm in Sevierville.Devil's Race track - it's out of the way and pretty steep and rigid approach. It's not well travelled so no "obvious climbers trail" lucy in the sky is great two pitch but not during june when bees are active. Obed - is definitely going to be biggest and closest selection of sport, trad, bouldering, and TR options. you can camp at the lilly pad. The beer and food are awesome and really does complete any Obed trip. It's the Obed's version of Miguel's pizza. ijams crag - good for a quick half day/afternoon outdoor session. probably a real good first exposure for kids, short of a full planned trip to bigger areas ala Obed. plus you can rent some SUPs or kayak and cool off in quarry afterwards. Onsight climbing gym in Knoxville if you're looking for a gym during bad weather etc. |
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the great e: If you had the time and really wanted to take the kids out climbing I would say drag them up this. the great arch in June.... we did it july 4th last yr. scorcher |