The Ijams crag. Are. Waiting For?

Transcription

1 The Ijams crag What Are You Waiting For?

2 From Quarry to Crag: A History of the Ijams Crag By the early 1850s, Mead's and Ross Marble Quarries were the primary providers of the varicolored marble quarried in East Tennessee. This marble was sought by architects for public buildings after it was chosen for the interiors of the Tennessee State Capitol and the United States Capitol. Because the quarries are part of the property that makes up, their integrity has been preserved. Though li le of the manmade environment remains, the cultural landscape provides a rare look at the historic marble industry. Clearly visible are drill markings on the sides of the walls, along with stacked walls of quarried blocks next to what are now hiking trails. In 2013 a search for rock climbing began in the South Knoxville area. Three local climbers, Benjy Darnell, Kelly Brown and Robbie Blackwell, converged on a suitable band of rock below Burne Ridge in what was once Ross Marble Quarry. The cliff face was cleared of invasive vegetation and loose rock. Trails have been constructed, routes have been bolted, and public access has been approved. This area, which provided the beautiful and coveted marble, was left scarred from mining. Yet, through the hands of many volunteers, we have taken this land and developed it into something beautiful and usable once again. The story of Knoxville s new urban crag is one of determination and perseverance a story that continues to unfold as labor continues and further obstacles are overcome. Historic quarry operations Ross Republic Marble Quarry

3 Ge ing to the Ijams Crag REMINDERS PLEASE respect The Crag neighbors The residential speed limit is 25mph Take James White Parkway to Sevier/Hillwood Avenue exit Turn left on Hillwood Avenue Continue through 4-way stop At the bo om of the hill, turn right on Island Home Avenue Stay left at the next split to stay on Island Home Avenue Pass Island Home Baptist Church on the left and take the next right on Gilbert Lane Pass under railroad bridge and take the next left on Belvedere Avenue Take an immediate right on Aberdeen Lane Stay right when the road forks to stay on Aberdeen Lane Drive through first gate and park in gravel area Gate opens at 8 AM and closes at sunset

4 Climbing Routes ROUTE INFO All completed routes are bolted sport routes with bolted anchors. Please use your own gear to top-rope routes. Only use fixed gear on anchors to lower off of routes. MAP KEY Completed Routes Completed Top-rope Routes Route in Progress Route to be Developed

5 Climbing Routes SPORT ROUTE Sport routes have a fixed line of bolts, placed on the rock face by the first ascent party who drilled holes in the rock, hammered the bolts into the holes, and then a ached a bolt hanger. These bolts are used to protect the climber on the route. At the end of the climb, a sport climber can expect to find a belay anchor consisting of (at least) two bolts with rappel rings that he/she uses to build an anchor.

6 Climbing Routes Top-rope vs. Lead Climbing A top-rope climber is a person who has a rope running from his or her harness, up to an anchor at the top of a route and then back down to a belayer at the base. To set up a top-rope climb at a sport climbing crag, one climber must first lead the climb. Lead climbing is a technique used to ascend a route where the climber a aches him or herself to a length of dynamic (slightly stretchy) climbing rope and ascends while periodically a aching the rope to fixed protection (bolt) on the route with a quickdraw until the top anchors are reached. The lead climber is belayed by another person at the base of the route. Once the rope is a ached to the top anchors the belayer can then lower the lead climber back to the ground and the route is then set-up for top-roping. Top-rope Climbing Lead Climbing

7 Safety on The Crag This is a climb-at-your-own-risk area. Obtain proper training and guidance before climbing. It is highly recommended that you learn from a climbing instructor either in your local climbing gym or, be er yet, out on the rock. Rock climbing and associated activities such as rappelling are inherently dangerous. You alone are responsible for your safety. Substantial risk of injury and death exist. Permission to climb at Ijams is conditioned upon your assumption of all risk of injury to person and property. Climbing risks include, but are not limited to: falling; collisions with both man-made and natural objects; falling rocks, ice and other debris; failure of equipment or anchors; adverse weather; human error; slippery surfaces; negligence of others. How can I help? DONATE TO IJAMS. Donations help with the cost of hardware, lumber, and staff time to develop climbing at Ijams. Help on volunteer work days. All workdays are posted on our EVENTS CALENDAR ( LEARN MORE. Ijams is now offering Climbing Workshops and Day Trips through the Ijams Outdoor Academy. Check our CALENDAR OF EVENTS ( for upcoming programs. CARPOOL. Parking is limited at The Crag entrance. DRIVE SLOWLY. The entrance to The Crag is in a residential area with families and children. Driving responsibly helps us maintain good relationships with our neighbors. BE GOOD STEWARDS. Respect other users, the environment, and our neighbors through good stewardship practices. Observe the ACCESS FUND PACT (following page). Climbing at The Crag The Butcher (5.1c)

8 I WILL... Respect other users Dispose of human waste properly Park in designated areas Stay on established trails Place personal gear out of the way of others Clean up chalk and tick marks Keep a low profile, minimizing group size and noise Pack out all trash and gear Respect closures Educate others kindly Be an upstander, not a bystander PACT Sponsors and Support Thank you to all of our sponsors. Without the support of these individuals, companies, and staff we would not have this local climbing opportunity. Please take the time to let them know how much you appreciate their support. Nick Pavlis, Knoxville City Council