A Pleasant Day in Georgia
 Barry
Wagner, Jackie Busch, and I, paid a visit to one of North Georgia's
classic climbing areas, Mt.
Yonah on Monday, April 12th. Mt. Yonah sees little public traffic
due to the fact it requires a three mile uphill hike to get to the
base of the cliffs. Though located on publicly owned land in the
Chattahoochee National Forest, the mountaintop is surrounded by
private land. Several years ago the single road to the top was selfishly
gated by the land owners preventing all but local residents from
driving on the road. This situation has brewed a controversy that
is yet to be resolved. Even the Forest Service does not have access
to the land they manage.
The only non-private group able to use the road is the US Army.
The cliffs at Mt. Yonah provide a training ground for the Army Rangers
to learn and practice mountain climbing skills. There are a plethora
of suitable routes for an introduction to vertical climbing techniques
making it an ideal place to take beginners and large groups of climbers.
 The
morning was cool and breezy, but the hike to the top warmed us to
the point of sweating. I was pleased to note new signs had been
erected identifying trails to the various levels of the cliffs.
We would proceed to the Main Wall to spend a day working on technique
and skills. The Army has attached a network of cables bolted to
the rock in the middle of the wall that makes rigging climbs and
moving about the granite faces safe and efficient. The wind climbed
with the sun. By afternoon, it was clear and approaching 80 degree's,
but the blustery breezes made climbing pleasant. We hiked out late
in the afternoon, a good day spent in good company.
For more information about MT Yonah, visit the
Mt. Yonah Climbing
area page
Note: Unfortunately, the Forest
Service refuses to issue Special Use Permits for access to Mt. Yonah
because they have no access to it.. Professionally guided trips
are not available.
To help regain public access to Mt. Yonah contact the Access Fund.
Submitted by Wayne Busch
Yonah Mt. Climbing
Area page
Yonah MT. Gallery
How to send your
Trip Report
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