The Obed is a spectacular climbing area NW of Knoxville, TN. It refers to the area where the Obed River and Clear Creek gorges meet. The rock is bullet-hard Cumberland Sandstone and the scenery is wild and beautiful. Although one can find sport, bouldering, and trad climbing here it is primarily known as a sport-climbing destination. Y-12 and Lilly Bluff are shadier crags whereas Clear Creek and Tieranny Wall are primarily South-facing and sunnier. That being said, due to the roof cap, Tieranny gets quite a bit of afternoon shade in the month or two around Summer Solstice. Bring a stick clip. Much of the steeper terrain is perma-drawed, and most routes that aren’t require 12 draws or less. The Obed has a concentrated boulder field across from Lilly Bluff as well as some other quality satellite areas such as Jett Bridge. Most of the trad climbing is found at North Clear Creek.