Sandrock, Alabama Trip

October 11, 2003

Report by: Denmark Blount

It was misting when the small caravan (one vehicle and three climbers) left Tony's at 7:15am. But that does not mean it was a small turn-out. Most people are familiar with Sandrock and met us there. This included Tom, Denmark, Carol Smith, Carol Simmons, Jerry, Frank, Julie (Frank's daughter), Mike, Cindy, Wilson, Gary, Trisha Bakers, Ken, Tony, Jennifer, and Shannon. Bill Loeffler and friends Craig and Terry climbed some harder routes. Greg Allen and Lawrence worked some boulder problems.

It was gray, overcast, and windy when we got to Sandrock. But we had no rain all day. The wind through the pass between Holiday Block and The Pinnacle made those in shorts wish they had worn long pants. By 2pm the wind had died down and the sun poked its head out from the clouds off and on for a comfortable afternoon.

Not counting Bill and Greg's problems, we set up 9+ climbs including Kennel Club 5.8+, Pump Handles 5.9, Walking The Dog 5.9, Oyster (5.9+/5.10a?), name unknown on the north side of Holiday Block (5.8+/5.9?), Jaws 5.9+, Alternate Start to Standard Route 5.9, Comfortably Numb 5.9+ (a three star classic), and Underdog 5.11a.

There were plenty of challenges for everyone. Cindy claimed to be a beginner, but her technique on Comfortably Numb and Underdog convinced everyone she was a natural climber. The challenges wore everyone out and we set a record for calling it a day early at about 4:30. Jerry was "break-down slave", climbing Comfortably Numb a second time and climbing Underdog via the path of least resistance. Carol, Cindy, Mike and Jerry camped out overnight with plans to top rope some easier climbs on the south side of Jaws block on Sunday. Others stopped at Cracker Barrel for dinner on the way back to Atlanta.

Denmark Blount - 2003 Trip Coordinator

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