We’re excited to report that recent work from two of the Southeast’s leading local climbing organizations has resulted in big wins for local climbers.

In November, the Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC) partnered with Cumberland Trail State Park to open a new climbing area situated along the Graysville section of the Cumberland State Trail, just north of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Known as Roaring Creek, the area boasts a five-minute approach and offers trad and sport routes from 5.9-5.12.

Access Fund worked alongside SCC and State Park staff to lay out a new sustainable access trail, and volunteers came together at an Adopt a Crag event in November to build out the access trail, put up five new routes, and celebrate the opening.

This new crag gives climbers another great reason to visit the ever-growing bouldering and climbing resources just north of Chattanooga.

To the east, the Carolina Climbers Coalition (CCC) partnered with Table Rock State Park in South Carolina to expand climbing access dates at the seasonally opened cliff. Historically the cliff, which boasts some of the best and boldest face climbing in the southeast, was only open from September 1st to December 31st. Thanks to CCC’s partnership work, climbing access has been extended to August 15th through February 1st, allowing climbers to enjoy the area for two additional months.

Last year, CCC funded and built a new kiosk at Table Rock State Park to facilitate a climber self-registration system, saving visitors a long trip to the distant ranger station and allowing them to get an earlier start on short winter days. This project helped demonstrate to park officials that climbers bring real resources and volunteer power. Learn more.

And in North Carolina, CCC donated $15,000 to help build the Eagle Rock trail in Chimney Rock State Park, which will afford access to a number of established and potential new routes and unclimbed boulders.