The Southeastern Climbers Coalition continues to lead the way when it comes to securing permanent access to previously closed climbing areas. Late last year they secured access to Yellow Bluff, AL which had been closed since the early 1990’s. Around the same time, the excellent access themed short Heart Of Stone came out and it featured Brad McLeod of the SCC touring another closed cliffline in Alabama. This movie was filmed only 3 months ago and now climbers own this land:
The Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC) has just signed a contract (and the seller has signed) for a 25.59 acre tract for a portion of the cliffline at Steele, Alabama. The price is $55k. This area has been closed to climbers since 1987 (22 years) due to private land owner access issues (parking). The goal of the SCC is to open this area back up to climbers by purchasing the area.
The Steele cliffline is located 7 miles from Horsepens and 45 minutes from Birmingham. The 25.59 ac. tract has road access from Chandler Mtn Road (bottom access) and will incluide a house trailer, metal shed, old jeep trail that goes half way up to the clifline.
The tract has 1,400 linear feet of cliffline and includes several cliff areas and it is estimated to have 30 to 50 routes (route descriptions unclear at this time because there is no formal topo).
In addition to the cliffline, there are apparently several boulders scattered along the hillside as well. For a more thorough history of the climbing and access issues at the crag in Steele, read this SCC article.
The SCC is trying to raise $60,000 for the purchase of this crag by this Summer. Click here to help them out.
u da man
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for sure man. good form.
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im glad this open its so close to home i live 2seconds from this crag
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yeah i live in the cliff line in a cave
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