Park Happenings

Event Details

Tennessee State Parks has two climbing workshops a year at Fall Creek Falls State Park: one in the spring and the other in the fall. Cummins Falls Ranger Ray Cutcher will offer instruction in safety, the use of gear and climbing techniques at this weekend clinic. 

This workshop is great for beginners. It is also great for those that have climbing experience and want to learn more about a particular aspect of climbing, anchoring or transitioning from the gym to outdoors, or those who want to join in with a group to have a good weekend climbing.

Equipment will be provided; if you have your own and want to use it that is fine. We just want to take a look at it so we are comfortable with its use. (there may be limited sizes of climbing shoes if there are a number of folks that wear the same size. We have usually been able to find a pair for each person that will work.)

We will start off indoors Friday evening at 7pm at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Participants will get an overview of the sport and it's different disciplines, learn about the equipment used to protect us during falls, learn belaying technique and a few knots, be introduced to anchors, and movement on rock (climbing technique). Saturday and Sunday will be spent mostly out on the rock faces of Fall Creek Falls, where we will climb and belay each other, as well as learn to rappel.

What to plan for: Dress appropriately for the weather. You'll want to wear clothes that you can move well in, and make high steeps; something streachy or loose. A daypack will come in handy to haul your things to the climbing site - such as: water, sports drink, snacks, lunch, gear, jacket, and maybe a rain jacket if the weather looks iffy. Also, we will be close enough to the parking lot if you wish to walk back to you vehicle for lunch.

Children: We don't set an age limit; so, If you have a child under 15 that you think you would like to participate, please contact Ray Cutcher at Ray.Cutcher@tn.gov so you can make an informed decision about your child's participation.

Overnight accomodations will be on your own; they are not included with the workshop. Fall Creek Falls State Park has camping and cabins and rooms available in the new hotel. If you choose to stay at Fall Creek Falls State Park during the Climbing Workshop you will need to make a reservation, you can find more information here, https://tnstateparks.com/parks/cabins/fall-creek-falls. 

For more information about the workshop and what to expect, visit http://www.tnpark.com/.