The Labor Day weekend has come and gone. My brother and I got out to Shawnee National Forest for some sport climbing at Jackson Falls. To get to Jackson Falls get ready for a 6 hour drive from Chicago and on a holiday weekend give yourself 2 hours just to get out of the city. With no camping permits or check-in times needed its not a big deal to arrive at midnight so your rested for a full day of climbing on Sat. We weren't the only ones that had that idea either. As we pulled up another car from Chicago was too. I really have to give it up to the climbing community every body down there was really nice and quick to offer their guide book in exchange for good conversation. We met some great people and even picked up a third person for a few routes that allowed us to take some wicked pictures.
Jackson Falls is certainly unique. The only place I know of that you have to climb down in order to scale up. It also caters to horse riders and ATVs in some areas. The camping is open and primitive, which makes for great setting when you need to leave the city behind. The forest canopy is so thick that you can't see stars which is a bummer but if you do like all of us you can turn on the head lamps and hike to the railroad tracks and look up .
Kenny on the Rappel
The climbing is mostly Sport and Trad however we did see some Top Rope. I have yet to venture into Trad climbing I am progressing though. I led my first 5.10a (below) on Spleef Peak. We hit this climb on Sunday and I have to thank my brother Kenny for some awesome pictures.
Kenny hit the shot perfect on this.
