The Citadel Climbing

"Citadel Boulders is a highly revered boulderfield in Alabama hosting more than 150 unique boulder problems, and more than 40 individual large sandstone boulders. The boulders contain highly featured southern sandstone with many problems at a range of difficulty levels – everything from classic sloper top-outs and gnarly roof climbing, to slabby tech climbing. There is something for everyone including easy to moderate climbs to test pieces like Ninja Camp and Big Poppa. It is home to the iconic Snail boulder among many other southern classics.

The SCC has worked towards the permanent protection of the Citadel since 2004, and it has a long history of climbing dating back to the early 80s and 90s. Several local Alabama climbers can be found in the early discovery of the area. Jake Slaney, Daron Harris, and Christy Wood are credited by locals for discovering the area as a destination for climbing. In the summer of 1992, development of boulders really picked up as Adam Henry, Chris Harris, and Jake Slaney started climbing and developing together. They would spend all day in the Canyon and then boulder in the afternoon over carpet squares – putting up ten climbs a day. Bob Cormany and others also had their early mark on the area and made their way over and did a lot of classic Cormany shallow grooves. Early on names like Chris Watford, Rob Robinson and others were known to scope out and climb at the boulders. Soon Andrew Traylor, Michael Hanks, Maurice Reed, and Adam Henry continued to find classic lines in the area, spending a few summers in a row there. First the Nuclear Arms area went up, then the Crystal Tear area, and then the Snail. It was a snowball after that that now totals in more than 150 unique boulder problems. John Barr and Ann Shields are also credited with many early first ascents. " - SEC

A pdf guide is being distributed by the SEC for those who contribute to the Citadel campaign to pay off the loan used to secure the boulderfield. Link to area page where one can donate.