As spring quickly approaches, students are looking forward to spending time doing their favorite outdoor activities. One activity many UT students enjoy is rock climbing.

This outdoor sport is very popular in East Tennessee. Many student climbers spend the winter months honing their skills at the UT Outdoor Program's own indoor climbing wall in the HPER building, but nothing replaces the feel of real rock under your fingers.

"I enjoy climbing outdoors so much is because it seems like you're actually more involved in the sport." Liz Kirk, a sophomore in photography said. "I think climbing outdoors requires some extra skill and nerve that indoors can't replicate."

Fortunately, it is very easy for students to take a day or two to travel to any one of the different locations within driving distance from UT's campus.

Many will travel to Obed Wild and Scenic River, Red River Gorge or Sunset Rock to climb. Though these locations aren't too far away from Knoxville, many need some place a little closer to home. Fortunately, climbers can enjoy their sport high above the Tennessee River on the Cherokee Bluffs.

"I think climbing outdoors requires some extra skill and nerve that indoors can't replicate." -Liz Kirk

Directly across the river from Cherokee Park in Sequoyah Hills, the bluffs offer a fine location for an afternoon of climbing, and students are getting excited about heading outside again.

"I am absolutely pumped about climbing this spring," Victoria Moss, a junior in International Business said. "I have actually already started climbing, and it only gets better and better as the weather gets nicer."

So, as winter breaks its spell, climbers of all different ages and skill levels will head outside to face the great Tennessee limestone. For those who would like to learn more about rock climbing, visit the UT Outdoor Program Web site.