More than 20 years ago, local climbers almost lost access to one of Chattanooga’s most beloved crags, Sunset Rock – and sadly, it hasn’t been the only near loss in the region since.
Over the last two decades, land managers have threatened to restrict climbing at popular destinations like the Obed Wild and Scenic River in Wartburg, Tennessee, and Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky’s famed Red River Gorge, each time citing concerns about the climbers’ negative impact on natural and cultural resources.
While conservation organizations such as the Access Fund and Southeastern Climbers Coalition have stepped in to ensure these areas remain open to everyone, each climber still has a responsibility to make sure such locations aren’t threatened in the first place.
Help us keep Chattanooga’s sandstone accessible by employing these “Leave No Trace” principles during your next trip.
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