Natural Arch & Somerset

Post by **Saxman** » Wed May 11, 2005 3:16 am

Anyone climbed in the region of natural arch in McCreary county? Hiked out there on Mother's day. Looked like a ton of cliffline was nearby. It is in the Stearns district of the Daniel Boone. What are the rules on climbing and development down there? My wife also mentioned there are some cliffs which overlook Lake Cumberland. Do any of these have deep water soloing potential? Just curious.

Post by **Alan Evil** » Wed May 11, 2005 3:38 am

I've thought that Fishing Creek looked good on the Cumberland but have been told it's all major choss. There are great cliffs in that area including Blue Heron south of Somerset which has tons of routes and is fairly easy to access. Supposedly there are routes on Bee Rock and other places. It's all part of the same geological feature that the Red is a part of called "The Cliffs."

Post by **Smedley** » Wed May 11, 2005 2:14 pm

Lot's of potential in that area for the adventurous.

Post by **Smedley** » Wed May 11, 2005 2:22 pm

We did some extensive exploration around Natural Arch about a year ago and found some outstanding lines. There is some excellent potential in there and we went as far as contacting the local ranger...Wanted to play by the rules. He shut us down right off the bat and told us climbing, in any form, wasnt allowed without an extensive environmental assesment, which the FS doesn't have the money for. Too bad, there are miles of quality cliff in there.

Post by **Steve** » Wed May 11, 2005 2:33 pm

Funny I've had folks from the other districts try and steer climbers down south. It just depends on who you talk to and what their stance in on climbin' and recreatin'. Some folks in the FS would love to move climbing out of the RRG proper and onto other parts of the forest. I guess those that manage the 'other parts' might disagree with that notion.
There is tons of potential all over the Cumberland Plateau, after all it is the sandstone belt, that runs from Chatta-vegas to northeastern KY.

Post by **Smedley** » Wed May 11, 2005 2:45 pm

I'm pretty sure that Natural Arch is in the Somerset District, and not the Stearns. The Stearns District is more open to climbing than the Somerset, just speaking in terms of general cilmbing knowledge.

The Blue Heron is part of the BSF, and it's an excellent crag...climbs a lot like the New. We've been going there for years. Most of the routes there were spear-headed by some NC guys (Ian McAlexander and Sean Coburn). I believe Sean has a lawyer friend that helped with the Murray purchase?

Post by **dipsi** » Wed May 11, 2005 8:23 pm

Natural Arch is in the Somerset District, and no climbing is allowed.

Post by **ynot** » Thu May 12, 2005 1:34 am

Whats up with Somerset police arresting some guy for riding a horse while drunk?

Post by **Saxman** » Thu May 12, 2005 2:22 am

The Forest Service website just says no climbing or rappelling from the arch. It doesn't say no climbing in the Somerset district.

Post by **dipsi** » Thu May 12, 2005 3:28 am

I asked. They said no climbing in the area. I'll check with them again. Stearns is a lot more receptive to climbers. Just so you cannot be seen from established hiking trails, it's cool to climb.

Yep! It's true, a horse is considered a moving vehicle. Only in Somerset.......

My great-uncles George and Boot were arrested for public intoxication. The cops also arrested their pig who was also drunk and riding in the front seat with the boys. This was during the depression, and Uncle George said they must have sent the pig up the river because they never saw him again!

True story.