Palisades Park is a great little climbing cliff just a short distance from Birmingham, AL. (near Oneanta) and one of the first stops on the Sandstone Belt that traverses north to Chattanooga. The area is compact with short (30 to 80 feet) but good quality sandstone. Many a first time leader has built up there technique and skills as many of the routes are great to get your feet wet. The wall also sets up easily for a top rope so there is lots of area to practice for that next big lead. At last count there were nearly 100 routes with a smattering of bouldering strewn all along the hill below. With some exploring it has been said that more boulders could be unearthed. With a south facing aspect the crag is a winter climbing haven but provides some shady nooks for the climbers out trying to beat the summer heat. The area is a county park and the weekend park ranger’s name is A.C. The others are June and Norman. Please be nice to them, they are nice to everyone. Offer to take a garbage bag down to the crag and pick up a little trash, they really appreciate that. Much like other climbing areas, many trees at Palisades were damaged by the recent pine beetle infestation. Park rangers Interested in both decreasing erosion on the top of the cliff line and the impact climbers & rappelers have on the remaining trees, reached out to the SCC for assistance. The SCC will work with park officials to review options and implement a plan. Such options include fixed anchors at the top of selected climbs, requiring padding of trees, and the use of protected swaged cables around trees. If you are interested in assisting or providing comments, please email Stewart Robinson at ck5fc@Allstate.com .
Palisades Park Tips:
Additional guidebook information found in the Dixie Craggers Atlas by Chris Watford callwild@earthlink.net Additional online info: www.rockclimbing.com/routes/listArea.php?AreaID=677
Recommended Routes [ Go Back ] Published on: 2006-01-25 (12435 reads) |
Palisades