Sandrock Days
Sandrock Days: A Rope Climbing Reset Not Far From Chattanooga
There are weekends when you want a full trip—bags packed, itinerary planned, the whole thing. And then there are weekends when you just need a reset: fresh air, a new challenge, and a view that reminds you life is bigger than your to-do list.
That’s exactly what Sandrock is for us.
This was our second year in a row going back, and it’s been fun watching ourselves get more comfortable with rope climbing. I came into this as more of a bouldering person—quick problems, powerful moves, a different kind of focus. Rope climbing is still thrilling, but the experience is its own world: higher climbs, better views, and that steady, locked-in feeling that comes from being intentional about every step.
Rope climbing hits different
What surprised me most is how “involved” rope climbing is—in a good way. There’s more to it than just showing up and pulling hard. There are knots to tie, gear to check, communication between climber and belayer, and a rhythm that develops once everyone is dialed in.
It’s also a more social kind of adventure. Someone’s climbing, someone’s belaying, someone’s spotting gear, someone’s taking photos, someone’s just enjoying the day. It feels like a shared experience from the beginning—not just a personal challenge.
And then there are the views.
The best part: the views you earn
One of the best feelings is looking out from higher up and realizing how far you’ve come—literally and figuratively. Rope climbing gives you the kind of perspective bouldering can’t always offer. You get up there and the world opens up.
That “earned view” is hard to describe until you’ve felt it.
Chattanooga is the perfect home base
Another reason we love this trip: it’s close. Living in Chattanooga means you can take a quick drive—less than 1.5 hours—and be somewhere that feels completely different. Sandrock is one of those places that doesn’t require a big vacation plan, but still gives you a full “we went somewhere” feeling.
If you live in the area and you’ve been looking for a new weekend adventure, this is a great one. You can make it a day trip, pack snacks, go with friends, and come home feeling like you actually did something with your weekend.
Why we keep going back
We’ve got plenty of places on our list, but Sandrock has become one of those repeat trips for a reason:
It’s a challenge without needing a huge trip plan
It’s outside, scenic, and refreshing
It’s a skill you can keep improving at
It’s fun with the right people
We’ll keep going back, keep learning, and keep chasing those “earned views.”
If you’ve been thinking about trying rope climbing—or you just want a reminder that the best adventures are often close to home—put Sandrock on the list.
