Empower Outdoor Climbing with Sam Whatley

Hello,

My name is Sam Whatley and I have a deep rooted connection with the southeastern climbing community. I have been climbing in the area for almost a decade now and have grown to love each and every single location that we all have come to love in the TAG region. From day one I have been involved with organizations like the SCC and even serve as a local area representative to a few areas in Alabama. I have a tremendous amount of respect and appreciation for those that have made climbing access across the area so easy, so great. Before we go any further and if you skip the rest of my vision read the last paragraph! I promise to be transparent with every single dollar!

I love hard work. I enjoy the process and the character it builds. That said, I have a dream and a vision to make climbing more enjoyable and approachable to all that aspire to climb outdoors. I am creating this page as a way to raise funds for climbing hardware and to be able to teach people who are interested in the process. My vision involves places like Bucks Pocket and other established areas such as Griffen Falls, to name a few. With you, I can find individuals that will help get the job done. I will coordinate and work in conjunction with the park services as to maintain and even enhance relations with them.

We want to develop beginner to intermediate routes that bring people into the great outdoor world of rock climbing in spectacular backdrops. I have personally invested at many of our favorite crags with re-bolting efforts and new route development, trail building, and even area clean ups. My dream with this opportunity is to let the community speak for what routes they would like to see. I will make myself available for anyone willing to come out and join me in developing or working at these incredible crags. I want to equip areas with sustainable long term hardware. For instance, at bucks pocket there are ample opportunities for training single pitch sport and trad ethics, teaching stations, and even sport or trad multi-pitch in a few areas. There are tall sections, short sections, miles of rock waiting to be worked on, cleaned up, and developed for the community across TAG.

Ultimately, I want to give back and share the stoke for the outdoors and what climbing has been able to do for my life and the friendships and memories I’ve made along the way.

I’m willing to put in the work and I’m willing to even teach you! Any contribution of any size goes along way towards sustainability and long term success for our new and old climbing areas!

I will frequently update on every single item, bolt, hangar, route, brush, or trail any of these funds are connected to and I can’t wait to look back and see all the progress we’ve been able to make!

Thank you in advance, and please let me know if you have any special requests with each donation!