Inclined to Climb

During one of my adventure days last winter, I stumbled (quite literally) across an incredible splitter crack on Lookout Mountain in Tennessee. It just so happened that this splitter crack was right beside the world-famous Incline Railway.

The first time I climbed this crack, I sought cover under the darkness of night and climbed the splitter by moonlight. This was mainly to eliminate the threat of being run off by police, park rangers, or any other people that considered themselves to be responsible and/or of greater authority. This last Sunday, however, Luis, Gary, and I headed up to Lookout Mountain, during the morning light in search for a photo to capture the uniqueness of this climb.

With our fingers crossed, we hoped that the rain would hold off. It didn’t. We crossed the fingers on our other hand and hoped that the fog would hold off. It didn’t. I crossed my toes and hoped that the quickly swarming hornets would have pity on me. They didn’t. Needless to say, Luis and Gary still climbed the classic splitter, and I still took photos. I felt that all hope was lost with the photos, but after reviewing them back home, I realized the fog and rain added a very unique feel that almost matched the uniquness of the location. The fog and rain may have been exactly what this photo needed.

It’s amazing how many people are oblivious to their surroundings. How could you not realize that there is someone 15 feet away from you, leading a trad route, with jingly climbing gear on? But time after time, the Incline would make its pass and not a person on the car would see me, Luis, or Gary. Lesson of the day: always be aware of your surroundings because there could be a climber leading a sick route right beside you (okay, most likely not, but it’s my lesson of the day, so learn it).

For Sam’s climbing stealth, he wins the NATIVE BOLDER sunglasses (nativeyewear.com), a refreshingly sporty and stylish pair of specs. Hopefully, the next time the sun comes out around his secret splitter crack, Sam’s eyes will be protected from any harsh UV rays that come his way.