hogpen gap, georgia

     Hogpen Gap, located on the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway, is the most consistent ice climbing area in the South.  Ice has formed here as early as Oct. 10 and several years we have managed to climb on Halloween Night.  By Thanksgiving the form, fall, form cycle has become normal.

     The climbing here consists of short steep road-cut water ice.  Most of the routes tend to be vertical from start to finish.  Three routes here are bolted for safe leading when only verglass has formed.  By the time the bolts freeze over it's time to start turning screws.

     The weather pattern here is as strange as I have ever encountered.  I have heard more than one Himalayan climber remark that it is the coldest place on earth.  I live 45 minutes away and regularly run up for a morning of turning screws to return to 70 degree temps back at the house.  If the lows drop into the 30's for more than a couple of days in Atlanta then there is ice to climb.

     The cliff is located at 3,400 feet of elevation and faces due north.  During the winter snow covers the ground here regularly.   Almost anytime precipitation falls the road ices and is closed by the D.O.T.  If you are caught driving around the barricade then you will be ticketed.

after dark solo mission

ice climbing by state

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