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Nature Activities >>

Rock climbing; image by OutdoorKnoxville.com

East Tennessee has numerous cliff lines hidden in its river canyons and giant sandstone boulders nestled in the mountains and throughout the valley bottoms. There are many developed crags waiting to challenge those that want to climb. Our mild climate allows climbing to be a year-round pastime. Fall is ideal with warm, beautiful colors, and dryer, clear days, but even in the depths of winter, southern exposures are usually warm on sunny days. Grab your gear and head out to one of our featured areas. -- OutdoorKnoxville.com

ClimbWorks is a a family friendly zip-line and mountain biking touring company in the Smoky Mountains.
www.climbworks.com/smoky_mountains

The Climbing Center is your best bet for climbing in the area. Staff members are always available to assist novices and help climbers get off the ground safely. Among the services offered by The Climbing Center are a monthly “Ladies’ Climbing” event, training sessions for individuals and groups, climbing parties, and a high school climbing league. The Climbing Center is open 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mon. through Fri., and noon to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Located at 2918 Sutherland Ave. [adjacent to River Sports Outfitters]; call 865-673-4687 for more information.


The Lilly Boulders at Obed Wild and Scenic River (Morgan County, TN) are said to be the best bouldering grounds in the area. Bouldering is a form of climbing done sans-rope, low to the ground and often referred to as a grab-and-go sport, requiring only specialized climbing shoes, a “crash pad” in case of falls and a bag of chalk.


Mountain Challenge at Maryville College
502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway
Maryville, TN 37804 • Map It
(800) 981-8125
www.maryvillecollege.edu

The Mountain Challenge program takes students outdoors. Area mountains, lakes, rivers, and woods provide the setting. The seasons, each one distinct in its own right, provide the agenda. In the fall and winter it may be panoramic views of changing leaves high in the mountains or cold mountain mornings shared with fellow travelers over hot drinks. Spring and summer may bring trips to appreciate the wildlife and beautiful plant life of the mountains. The agenda might include rock climbing or canoeing on one of the beautiful mountain lakes or climbing the Alpine Tower. Whatever the situation, the Mountain Challenge program is a chance to face challenges head on, to struggle through some difficult and unfamiliar tasks, and to experience the thrill of achievement.