Adam Henry on Meathooks (5.13 sport) Aerial map of Robinson tract. The Amphitheatre Wall at Steele. Climber on Birds Nest (5.9). Click here for "Heart of Stone" video featuring Steele. A climber on the airy arete - Monopoly (5.9). Steele, Alabama updated 09-6-09 **NEWS FLASH** The SCC closed on a 25 acre tract on September 4, 2009 purchasing this tract and preserving it for future generations. The Steele climbing area has been closed to climbers since 1987 due to private land owner issues. The goal of The Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC) is to open this crag to the climbing public in the summer of 2009. Steele is comprised of over one mile of 80 to 100 foot tall sandstone climbing cliff located in northeastern Alabama. Situated above the town of Steele, this area has a long history of climbing dating back to the mid 1970's. Several old rings and angle pitons have been found scattered all along the cliffline. Early pioneers and first ascentionist included Mark Cole, Rob Robinson, Gene Smith, Maurice Reed,Curt Merchant, Les Hutchinson, James Guidry, Ken Pitts, Mack McNease, Dean Elliot, Jamie Silliman and others. According to early climbers, many new routes were put up between 1984 and 1986. A second generation of climbers added new energy and lines to include Bernard Wolfe, Adam Henry, David Hemphill, Gus Fontenot and others. Today the area boasts many superb lines and a large concentration of 2 and 3 star routes (nearly 100 throughout the cliffline). Steele has been closed to the public since 1987 after a local landowner (and farmer) got angry after climbers traipsed across his tomato fields to access the crag. No parking signs are still found to this day along the main road. The cliff was used infrequently by a small handfull of climbers over the years but never gained mass popularity again due to the sensitive private land owner access issues. Over the years, Gus Fontenot of the SCC, spoke with the owner of the largest section of cliff to no avail. The owner repeatedly hung up or did not answer calls. In the summer of 2008, The SCC got the break it needed as Brad McLeod spoke and met with a local real estate broker who happened to know of a peice of land (and cliffline) that may be for sale (but not listed). The SCC began negotiations with the Robinson family for a 25 acre tract and a portion of the coveted climbing cliff. Steele is described as several cliff sections with one main section called the Amphitheatre. The cliffline host both sport routes and traditional routes. According to several climbers, Birds Nest (5.9 trad) is one of the best of it's grade in the state of Alabama while Meathooks (5.13 sport)is spoke of in similar tones. There are samples of almost every grade in both sport and trad. Currently, The SCC has closed on a 25.59 acre tract (1,418 linear feet) on September 4, 2009. The cliff areas (survey pending) include the Area 51 Wall, The Verde Wall and the Wolfe Wall are within the property boundaries. The Campus Wall and Revelation Wall are very close to the boundary but just outside. The 25 acre tract includes approximately 40 climbing routes, both sport and traditional along with a hillside strewn with sandstone boulders. The 25 tract also has a house trailer, metal shed, parking and good road access from the main highway (Chandler Mountain Road). The distance from the house trailer to the Nardo Wall is a short 800 linear feet hike with only a few hundred feet in rise. The cost for the 25 acre tract is $55k. To date (September 6, 2009) The SCC has raised $42k toward the purchse of $55k. The Access Fund has provided a $20k bridge loan to help close the project on time. The SCC is now working hard to raise the remaining $13k and pay the Access Fund back the money for the bridge loan ($20k). We believe that the Steele climbing area will be popular for southeast climbers but in particular those from Birmingham (45 minute drive) and Huntsville (less than one hour) and Chattanooga (1.5 hour). Atlanta climbers are no strangers to driving and the 2 hour plus drive will be a norm for them. Given the crags central location to several large cities and close access to Interstate 59, we believe this crag will see considerable traffic and use. The SCC is currently asking for your support in the form of both financial support and upcoming volunteer support for trail building and work to prepare the crag for climbing. It is estimated that the SCC will need another $15K in funds to secure the purchase by June 24, 2009. Your donation and support would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made to: The SCC 275 Stone Mill Trail NE Atlanta, GA 30328 or online at: Click Here for online donation to Steele

The Steele cliffline if featured in the movie "Heart of Stone" by Andrew Kornylak and Josh Fowler: Click Here for Heart of Stone Video

The Southeastern Climbers Coalition currently owns four climbing areas to include Boat Rock (Atlanta, GA), Kings Bluff (Clarkesville, TN), Jamestown (AL) and Yellow Bluff (AL). The SCC also leases the Castle Rock (TN) cliffline and the Woods Hill (GA) bouldering area. The SCC has a track record of 7 years of owning and managing climbing areas and raising funds to secure these areas. To date - it is estimated that the SCC and the Access Fund have raised over $250k for these six areas to secure access. What Climbers are saying about Steele Southern Sandstone legend Rob Robinson said of Steele "Steele is a fantastic niche area in the sandstone belt deserving of any visitors time. One of my favorite roof routes of 1986 was a beautiful Steele line dubbed "Challenger." Thanks to the SCC's ongoing efforts to get this area and many others reopened for the climbing community." Author of the Dixie Craggers Atlas, Chris Watford explains "I've always thought it was a great place and a shame that it was closed, especially since it's so visible, right off of I-59. Like walking past a double chocolate cake and not being able to have a bite. I think it's so great that the SCC has made the leap to get it. It's high profile; it's highly visible; it's got a long history; it offers great rock and routes of all grades. Folks from all over are hearing about the great things the SCC is doing in terms of land acquisition, and now they're gonna get to visit yet another cliff that's been off limits for many years and get to climb on it. Pretty amazing community we have here in the Deep South." Alabama native and early pioneer of Steele, Curt Merchant said "Well, Steele was the home of climbing in Alabama to me. We did not even use chalk in the early years. Talk about bolt wars, this was the chalk wars. Anyway, I am really happy to see that by working together we can open up crags that have been closed for so long. Thanks to the SCC for another classic crag." Suggested Tips for Climbing at Steele: * Please keep the noise to a minimum and be respectful of homeowners on the cliff above and the valley below. * Steele is both a traditional and sport climbing area. There are many old traditional and mixed routes with a long climbing history. Please be respectful - if you dont know about a routes history - please ask. We are asking that no new bolts (unless your replacing a rusty 20 year old existing bolt) be installed during the fall and winter of 2009-2010 so that we can get an accurate count of existing routes and their history. After that time period - If you would like to install a sport climb - please talk with the Preserve Managers (Johnny Connell and Jeremy Boydston). We appreciate your patience on this issue. * Pack all trash out (and any other trash that you find). * No loud music, partying or yelling from the top of the cliff. There are neighbors above and below the crag and we always want to be respectful of their privacy and noise levels. * No camping at the crag. There is plenty of camping at HorsePens nearby and this will support a local climbing business. * Parking is limited. Park in a manner that maximizes the space available. DO NOT block the road or adjacent landowner's driveway. If your vehicle cannot make it up the driveway to the trailer, park at the bottom off the gravel road and hike up. Suggested climbs at new 25 acre tract at Steele 5.7 Stepping Out (trad crack)** 5.7+ Grahams Crack (trad crack)**** numerous boulders below Grahams Crack Climbs located off 25 acre on adjacent property 5.6 Triad (trad, well protected)** 5.7 Wisdom (trad, long and well protected)** 5.7 Exit Right (trad)** 5.8 Steele Magnolia (trad)** 5.9 Birds Nest (arching trad crack)**** 5.9 Monopoly (trad arete)**** 5.10 Unnamed to left of B-52 (long sport) 5.10 Rainbow Arch (trad) 5.10 Dead Reckoning (sport)** 5.10+ Aura (spicy face)*** 5.11 Humpin to Please 5.11 Cloak and Dagger (arete) 5.12 Carnivore 5.12 Jetstream (vertical ballet face) 5.12 Chandlers Roof Crack (trad) 5.12/5.13 Renegade Trad 5.13 Meathooks (sport) Top Rope - Devils Wall Steele Preserve Managers: Johnny Connell - jconnell@coosahs.net Jeremy Boydston - jaboydston@yahoo.com Driving Directions: From Birmingham (heading north on I-59) - Take the Steele exit (exit 174). Take left over Interstate bridge onto Steele Station road and follow road over railroad tracks to a T. Take a left onto RailRoad avenue(Hwy 11) and drive 300 yards and take right onto Chandler Mountain Road (Hwy 42). Drive about 2 miles as you get glimpses of the Steele cliffline on your right. Drive past the chicken coops and take the next gravel driveway on your right. (If you start up the mountain, you've gone too far.) Drive a short way down the gravel road past 'No Trespassing' signs, til the road forks, bear right and up a steep hill. Do not turn left as that is a private landowners home. You may want to get a running start if you have a small 2 wheel drive car. Park behind the trailer on the side of the gravel road. A trail leads from the trailer up to the crags. From Chattanooga (heading south on I-59) - Take the Steele exit (exit 174). Take right onto Steele Station road and follow road over railroad tracks to a T. Take a left onto RailRoad avenue and drive 300 yards and take right onto Chandler Mountain Road (Hwy 42). Drive up hill about 2 miles as you get glimpses of the Steele cliffline on your right. See directions above for getting to the cliff. Camping at nearby Horsepens 40 (7 miles away). Maps: Steele-USGS Map | Steele-Aerial Photo | Mapquest link to Steele, AL. | Google Map link to Steele, AL. Click here for SCC Crag - Minimal Impact Flier: Special thanks to The Access Fund, Gus Fontenot, Michelle Connell, Rock Creek, Chaco and all of the many volunteers and donors that funded this project. Copyright © by The Southeastern Climbers Coalition All Right Reserved. Published on: 2009-02-25 (1794 reads) [ Go Back ]