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Boat Rock, GA



Lance Brock on Lynn’s Arete

Boat Rock Preserve
Land Aquistition Fund


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Boat Rock is a small urban boulderfield located in southwest Atlanta, Georgia. This area has come under considerable pressure in recent years from residential subdivision construction. Boat Rock has a long history of climbing and held one of the first bouldering competitions in the U.S. back in 1985. Names like Robyn Ebersfield, Ron Kauk, Bob Cormany, Curtis Glass, Shannon Stegg, Rich Gottlieb and Jerry Roberts ring throughout the nearly mile long stretch of egg shaped granite boulders. The climbing at Boat Rock is very technical and takes a great deal of balance and foot work. A miscue can cost you flesh or shoe rubber. But the rewards far outweigh the risk as this area will literally "blow open your bouldering pallette" and definetly make you not only a better but more humble climber. There are lots of delicate slabs; but just when you think you’ve figured out Boat Rock, you come across a climb like the bulgey "Paint Can" which are sure to stretch your climbing imagination.

With all good things, there is a dark side. Within the past few years, the urban sprawl of Atlanta began to consume the once isolated bouldering area. Much of the "Back Side" has been recently subdivided into residential subdivision while the area around the lake is slated for high density commercial use. The SCC has continued to work with the developer to save the area around the lake and make it a park for the public. The local climbing community galvanized when the opportunity to purchase a forested tract along Boat Rock Road came up for sale. The newly purchased 7.8-acre tract is now open to the public and located on 1220 Boat Rock Road.

In 2005 a local climber donated 4.5 acres to help with expanding the park. In 2006 another local climbers purchased a house adjacent to Boat Rock and the boulders surrounding it (Easy Crack boulder). This area is now open to climbing and the house is rented by climbers. In January of 2007, The SCC raised the final funds to pay off the mortgage on the 7.8 acre tract and Boat Rock is debt free. In Feb 2007 the SCC opened the Woods Hill sector via a lease.

Click Here for info - Boat Rock "Float the Boat" Bouldering Comp Fundraiser

One bright note with the recent efforts at Boat Rock is our environmental education project which brings young school kids to the area to learn about the geology and plant life and to do a little bit of climbing afterwards. To date we have had kids from Nesbitt Ferry Elementary School and The National Wildlife Federation to tour the area and learn about conservation and to enjoy the hiking trails and boulders. REI has generously donated funds in recent years to help this progam and to help ongoing maintenance of the park.

Our larger vision for the area is to create a 30 acre greenspace and park for all of the community to enjoy. The SCC has been contacting landowners to see if they will donate land to this project.

Some tips while climbing at Boat Rock:

  • Please use a bouldering pad and spotter for safety.
  • Carpool and park in the new gravel lot at 1221 Boat Rock Road.
  • Respect all private landowners in the area and be courteous.
  • Be carefull cleaning new problems, stay away from fern laden tops (Resurrection fern) of boulders.
  • No steel brushes at Boat Rock! If you scrub holds, use a plastic brush or toothbrush.
  • Carry out all trash and debris.
  • No climbing after dark.

    Boat Rock Classic Boulder Problems
    In the new 7.8 acre tract: Lost Digits, Paint Can Boulder, Easy Crack, Ron Kauk’s Dishes, and Waves in Motion

    Boat Rock Photos

    Boat Rock Directions:
    From the intersection of Interstate 20 and Fulton Industrial Boulevard go south for 3.8 miles, turn left onto Bakers Ferry Road SW, go 0.5 miles, turn left on Boat Rock Road SW, go 0.4 miles, look for small gravel driveway on the right, pull into small 6 car parking lot. There is a small kiosk at the edge of the lot with a rough map of the area and a trail leading up to the boulders. The lake area is located a few hundred yards to the southeast (see drtopo map).

  • Boat Rock Bouldering Topo Map: www.???.com
  • 1220 Boat Rock Road Mapquest Link
  • Boat Rock Road USGS Map Link

    Related Access Articles

  • Float the Boat - Boulder Comp December 7, 2002 09.17.2002
  • Float the Boat - Boulder Comp December 7, 2002 08.07.2002
  • Boat Rock "Don’t take it for granite" Party 07.12.2002
  • Dual Article: Boat Rock Open House and Possible Kings Bluff Acquisition. 06.03.2002
  • Don’t Take it for Granite! Boatrock Benefit Party 05.24.2002
  • Boat Rock Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 05.21.2002
  • Escalade Boat Rock Party Was Happening 05.20.2002
  • Boat Rock to be on Local News 05.16.2002
  • Boat Rock Party at Escalade 05.08.2002
  • Boat Rock Temporarily Closed 04.02.2002
  • Boat Rock Slide Show Benefit at Wall Crawlers 03.15.2002
  • HUGE NEWS!-AF Grant for Boat Rock 03.07.2002
  • The Boat is Beginning to Float 03.04.2002
  • Floatin’The Boat, Boat Rock Trail Day 12.10.2001
  • Float The Boat, More on Boat Rock, Cooper Roberts’new video. 11.29.2001
  • Boat Rock Purchase Battles Through Paperwork 10.10.2001
  • Boat Rock Property for Sale 09.18.2001
  • Saving Boat Rock 08.24.2001
  • Boat Rock Issues Develop 07.27.2001

    If you don’t have the time to get involved in the fight to save Boat Rock you can still help. We have set up a paypal account through which you can donate money towards the Boat Rock Cause. Click here to go to our Donations page.

    Boat Rock Environmental Education Lesson Plans
    Every year, several school groups tour the Boat Rock Preserve to learn about the trees, animals and boulders. Pandra Williams has put together a unique environmental education plan to help kids learn about Boat Rock and it’s many features. If you are interested in learning more about Boat Rock, or would like a tour for your school group, please contact Pandra at pandra@mindspring.com

  • Adopt-A-Tree
  • Cleanup
  • Color and Shape Cards
  • Colors of the Fall
  • Diversity in a Forest
  • Duplication
  • Flower Guide
  • Habitat Survival
  • Microhabitats
  • Neighborhood Trees
  • Tree Exam
  • Rock Detectives
  • Outdoor Observations
  • Leaf Scavenger

    Click Here for our SCC Crag - Minimal Impact Flier:



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    Published on: 2005-03-16 (26948 reads)

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