Displaying items by tag: east tennessee climbers coalition
Calling all climbers (and hikers and bikers): Come help clean Obed crags
The annual Obed Adopt-a-Crag event is set for Sept. 14 and will include access trail maintenance such as that performed here by volunteers at a previous event. National Park Service
WARTBURG — The East Tennessee Climbers Coalition and Obed Wild and Scenic River will host the park’s annual Adopt-a-Crag event on Saturday, Sep. 14 2024
Volunteers are needed to help with a variety of projects including general trail maintenance and litter pickup. Please meet at the Lilly Pad Hopyard Brewery, 920 Ridge Road, Lancing, at 10 a.m. to register and receive a project assignment. Due to limited parking, carpooling is suggested. Please bring your own lunch and water. Volunteers are also encouraged to bring hand tools, gloves, sunscreen, and insect repellant.
After completing their projects, volunteers are invited to spend the day climbing their favorite routes or enjoying other recreational opportunities in the park. Following the event, the ETCC will be hosting a volunteer appreciation event at the Lilly Pad.
Climbers bring cash to Obed crags
The sandstone cliffs of the Obed Wild and Scenic River area provide sport-climbing opportunities rare for the Southeast. Visiting climbers inject an estimated $770,000 per year into the area economy. Mark Large via National Park Service
Obed rock climbers spend $770k annually on area visits; gas and short-term rentals top spending categories
WARTBURG — Rock climbers visiting the Obed Wild and Scenic River, a unit of the National Park Service located between Knoxville and Crossville in the Upper Cumberland Plateau, annually spend about $768,000 at local businesses, according to a new study.
A recent analysis released by the Access Fund, the Southeastern Climbers Coalition and the East Tennessee Climbers Coalition evaluated tourism and spending in several prominent climbing locations in Tennessee, including the Obed.
The study reported 12,000 total estimated annual climbing visits to the Obed and the majority (62 percent) of those climbers stayed overnight while visiting the Obed. The economic impact of the spending sectors included short-term housing rentals (43 percent), gasoline (21 percent), dine-in restaurants (19 percent), fast food, groceries and snacks (10 percent), camping (4 percent) and hotels (3 percent).
Demographics analysis of the overall study found that two thirds of the respondents self-identified as male, 85 percent identified as white, 88 percent had at least a four-year college degree and 66 percent had an average annual income of more than $50,000.
The Obed Wild and Scenic River protects 45 miles of river and steep gorges which contain rock formations that are excellent for climbing. The area contains more than 400 climbing routes and is also a destination for bouldering, climbing on large, exposed boulders.
Climbers can clean their crags during Obed event
Volunteers are needed to improve and maintain climbing and approach areas at the Obed. National Park Service
WARTBURG — The Obed Wild and Scenic River will host the park’s annual Adopt-a-Crag event on Saturday, Sept. 11 in cooperation with the East Tennessee Climbers Coalition.
Volunteers are needed to help with a variety of projects, including general trail maintenance and litter pickup. Participants should meet at the Lilly Pad Hopyard Brewery at 9 a.m. to register and receive a project assignment. Carpooling is suggested, and volunteers should bring their own lunch, water, hand tools and gloves.
When the work is done, volunteers are invited to spend the day climbing, kayaking or hiking. The ETCC plans a volunteer appreciation dinner that evening at the Lilly Pad.
For more information, contact the Obed Wild and Scenic River at (423) 346-6294.