The Atlanta Climbing Club’s September 2018 trip will be Saturday, September 8th, to Yellow Bluff, Alabama.
Located near Huntsville, Yellow Bluff is a long (about 1500′) unbroken hard sandstone cliff. Development began in the 1980s with the discovery of the cliff by Atlanta climber Shannon Stegg. Numerous trad lines were established by Stegg and other pioneers, including James Dobbs and Curt and Betty Jo Merchant. Later, local leaders like Jesse Guthrie began putting up sport routes, including Guthrie’s Rainbow Warrior (5.13a/b), the first 5.13 in Alabama. The quality of climbing at Yellow Bluff attracted attention from as far away as NY; climbers flocked to sample the excellent sandstone crack lines.
We will meet at the Thornton Road Park N Ride off I-20 at 0600am as the drive takes a little less than 3 hours.
Directions:
From Atlanta, take I-20 west into Alabama for about 90 miles to the Oxford/Anniston area. Take exit 188 to US 431 North. Continue on 431 into Gadsden; after crossing I-59, look for the turnoff to US 278. Take 278 west to US 231. Turn right on 231, then almost immediately left on SR 67 and follow this about 20 miles. Just before the Florette crossroads, turn right on Pines Road; follow this for about a mile to a sharp left onto Fowler Road. Continue as noted above to Yellow Bluff.
From the parking lot area, follow the obvious trail marked with surveyors tape. A five-minute hike will bring you to the base of the cliff near the right end of the SCC-owned section.
