Starr & Sunset Trip
	March 7-9, 2003
	Report by: Denmark Blount

The spring kick-off was a blast. The Atlanta Climbing Club trip started Friday night at the High Country Outpost in Ocoee, Tennessee, near the Ocoee river and lake. Tony Waltz was the first to arrive, a few more by 6pm, more by 7pm and dinner a little later. The stragglers arrived between 9pm and 10pm. Tony, Gary Latimer, and Allison Osborne cooked pinwheel steaks and salmon. The meats were complimented by salad, grilled peppers, chips and salsa, and other goodies. There were plenty of deserts with apple pie and Barbara Osborne's caramel cookies getting special mention. There were many flavors of beer to choose from. Half the crew stayed in the two cabins and the other half camped out. John Bell got out his telescope showed Denmark two or three faint galaxies. Jupiter with its dark bands and four bright moons was also impressive.

Saturday morning everyone did their own breakfast, oatmeal for some of the campers and muffins for those in the cabins and campers who wandered in. We left promptly at 9am for Starr Mountain. Tim Hewett and his brother were already there waiting, having driven up early in the morning. We crossed the railroad tracks, climbed the steep trail right of the creek, traversed right horizontally, and soon came to the climbing area. The view of the Hiwassee river was picturesque. Frank Nederhand lead Men Without Hats, Gary Latimer Big Men, Small Airplanes, Tom Osborne Pleasing To The Touch, and John Bell and Gary Latimer The Sound Of One Finger Bleeding. We also set up top ropes on Vulcans Do Not Bluff, Lucky Strikes, and Wild Horses. There was something for everyone and everyone climbed. Even Tom Osborne's entire family, some of whom had never climbed before: Wife Barbara, son Aaron, son Jason, daughter-in-law Janice, and daughter Allison.

Jerry Dodgen, Allison Osborne, and Gary Latimer did the cooking Saturday night. Joe Blessings and his daughter had driven up Saturday afternoon and joined us. We had chicken and sausage. And salad, grilled peppers, chips and salsa, and other goodies. And more of the great apple pie and other deserts. We did not finish all of the deserts (but Barbara's cookies were all gone) nor all of the beer. The Osborne's started a lively game of Catch Phrase. Ken and Taylor teamed up against John in a game of chess. We all went to bed at a reasonable hour although the campers said they heard some loud partying at 3am. It must have been those cheerleaders a couple of campsites down the road.

Sunday morning we breakfasted and broke camp, a little after the targeted 8am departure time. Everyone found their way to Sunset Park successfully including Johnny, Randy, and Kathleen, who had driven up that morning. From the tiny parking lot between two expensive homes atop Lookout Mountain, we took the trail down to Sunset Rock and headed south to Celebrity Flake. Tom Osborne lead Jug Mania, Denmark Blount Afternoon Delight, and Gary Latimer Blond Ambition. We set up top ropes on Afternoon Walk, Walk In The Park, Train Time and Train time Direct, and Pancake Flake. Everyone had good challenges and we headed home by 5pm. Those who could afford the time stopped in downtown Chattanooga at Lupi's for delicious pizza and calzones.

Denmark Blount - 2003 Trip Coordinator

This page was last updated on 12/19/2004 .