| Just recently, at the final Triple Crown event, the Southeastern Climbers Coalition announced Yellow Bluff as Crag X – the new addition to climbing areas opened, owned, and managed by the SCC. Yellow Bluff is located about 20 miles from Huntsville, Alabama and has been closed since the early 1990's. Many climbers have been asking about the history of Yellow Bluff so the SCC wanted to fill in the public on not only the history of Yellow Bluff, but what is currently being done to secure its access. | 
A view of a nice roof and rock quality at Yellow Bluff |
During the time of the late 80’s the left side of Yellow Bluff was home to the ALABAMA'S first 5.13a, “Rainbow Warrior” as well as the first 13d/14a, “Tour de Jour.” Many Alabama legends were putting up routes there during that time. James Dobbs of Ft. Payne was one of the first to begin establishing classic lines on natural gear on the right side of the cliff. The crag's quality and popularity soon captured the interest of Alabama climbers Curt Merchant, Betty Jo Rattford-Merchant, and Roy Simmons, as well as climbers from out of state such as Arno Ilgner and Jeff Gruenberg. Then came Jesse Guthrie.
Yellow Bluff exploded and became the state’s testpiece crag.
But as quickly as Yellow Bluff gained popularity, climbing access was closed.
Over the past three years the SCC has been working to re-establish Yellow Bluff as an area open to all climbers. In June of 2005, Brad McLeod drove up from Adam Henry's house on a trip north to check out the mystical and then closed Yellow Bluff. After Brad made initial contacts with the landowners, Paul Morley, SCC Board Member and local Huntsville climber, then stepped in to steer the project through its long and drawn out negotiations on purchasing the right side of the crag. Through persistence and hard work, Paul continued the talks with the landowner, leading to an affirmative agreement to sell at a set price. Paul went on to lead the acquisition to the recent successful signing of the contract for the right side of Yellow Bluff. During this time several key SCC volunteers helped including Michelle Connell, Brad McLeod, and Gus Fontenot with his legal expertise.
Closing the sale is scheduled for February of 2009 with fundraising expected to be completed by January 2009.
The SCC would like to invite each and every one of you to help be part of this history. We have a lot of road to cover between now and January of 2009.
Also, we would like to ask everyone to PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM YELLOW BLUFF UNTIL THE SCC CLOSES ON THE CONTRACT. GOING ONTO THE PROPERTY WILL ONLY JEOPARDIZE THE SALE! This is a requirement imposed by the current owner of the property and is a condition of the purchase.
Many thanks for everyone’s interest and involvement in helping open another crag in the south. When you own it, no one can close it.
More info on "Help Open Yellow Bluff" Facebook page: Click here for Yellow Bluff Facebook Page
