Blue Rock is the newest jewel in the Scenic City's sandstone crown.
Blue Rock is the newest jewel in the Scenic City's sandstone crown.
THE COMPETITION:
Go Blue or Go Home, being held May 6, is a flash competition where teams of two will attempt to summit as many of Blue Rock's 40 routes as they can over the course of one day. Routes completed in one try will be awarded 100 percent of their assigned points, while routes completed after an unsuccessful attempt will only be awarded 25 percent. There are three categories (all male, all female, unisex), and the first place winners in each category will receive a $200 prize. Runner-ups will receive gear prizes. May 7 offers an open gate climbing day for competitors. Music, food trucks and camping options will be available. Tickets can be purchased at tinyurl.com/GoBlueOrGoHome2017. All proceeds from the event will go to the Denny Cove Acquisition and to South Cumberland State Park.
For years, Blue Rock in Marion County has been little more than eye candy for travelers on the Fiery Gizzard below. After the first weekend in May, however, the private land will become the envy of Chattanooga's climbing community.
May 7-8, the 40-acre tract of land, situated in Jasper Highlands mountain community, is opening to the public for its first-ever flash climbing competition. The event, titled "Go Blue or Go Home," challenges competitors to conquer each of the property's 40 new sport routes in one try, giving them a taste of what land manager Cody Averbeck hopes could one day be an adventure park or resort.
The property is currently for sale - meaning climbers will only have access to the 100-foot sandstone during this and any other open gate days - but marketers envision the tract as a permanently open or pay-to-play wilderness getaway with direct access to South Cumberland State Park, Averbeck says.
Jasper Highlands developer John "Thunder" Thornton has invested the equipment and staff to help make that vision a reality, commissioning Averbeck to develop the new climbing routes and connect the area to the soon-to-be 20-mile perimeter trail.
"I think it's testament to how far climbing has come in our town to be basically accepted by a non-climber businessman like John," says Averbeck, who was also involved in developing routes on the Denny Cove property next door. "I think, in a way, it's kind of a turning point for land ownership and land management."
Whether you make it to this month's competition or not, here's a quick sneak peak at just a fraction of what Blue Rock has to offer.
THE RAPPELLING:
Blue Rock has one of the most breathtaking overlooks in the Cumberland Plateau, and its two rappelling stations are a great way to fully experience that scenery.
Station 1: An exciting beginner- or intermediate-level rappel down a vertical wall.
Station 2: A steep, adventurous rappel over the point of Blue Rock, whose exposed, free-hanging nature simulates vertical caving.
THE HIKING:
A 20-mile perimeter trail is currently being built around Jasper Highlands, and though the full trail will not be finished for three to five more years, 5 miles of the backcountry trail have already been completed. More than a mile of that path is located on the Blue Rock property, and the trail passes the tract's two 50-foot seasonal waterfalls before continuing under the base of the area's cliff.
THE CLIMBING:
Forty new rock faces and overhangs ranging from 5.9 to 5.13+ await visitors at Blue Rock.
Here are a few must-trys to keep an eye out for as you make your rounds.
Make America Blue Again | 5.11c: With a mix of bouldering and stemming movements needed, this classic corner pitch will have you seeing stars (and stripes) before you're through.
Drain the Swamp | 5.11b: This warm-up wall will start you dangling from jug holds and have you following fun moves before you confront its steep boss level.
Blue Majosha | 5.12c: Laybacking, crack climbing and a hefty amount of dynamic movement are required to summit this route. Are you up for the challenge?