GTD Official Website: GO VERTICAL [GA] (Sept 5-9, 2026)

-- SMALL GROUPS ARE WELCOME, BUT

GROUP SIZE IS LIMITED TO 6 PEOPLE PER GROUP -

(LAST UPDATED: March 24, 2026 at 9:45am)

CURRENTLY REGISTERED: 02 people out of 20 spots

GTD PROGRAM	SWEAT DROP RATING	COMFORT RATING	POINTS CONTEST	EVENT COST
ADVENTURE	3.5 (TOUGH+)	RUGGED	5.0	$30+

2026 GO VERTICAL

Rock Climbing & Rappelling Trip
Sept 5-9, 2026 (Sat-Wed) - Lakemont, GA

Savor the UPS & DOWNS of Life!

(3% "Tax" added when paying online to cover PayPal fees)

- TRIP SUMMARY -
GO VERTICAL with God & Adventures on this GTD trip!

GO VERTICAL TRIP

GO VERTICAL is GTD's Rock Climbing & Rappelling Trip for beginner and intermediate climbers. During our 5 days together you will get several opportunities (weather permitting) to climb real rocks on intermediate level routes. All of our climbs are top-roping (the safest form of rock climbing). This is a great occasion to learn the basics of climbing as well as enhance your skills if you are already an experienced climber. Our climbs will be on routes that are rated 5.6 - 5.10 and reach heights of 60-75 ft (6-8 stories high). And, if that wasn't exciting enough you will also get several opportunities (weather permitting) to rappel 8 stories down a vertical slab of granite both traditional style and "aussie" style (face-first) if you choose. If desired, you also have the option to learn how to belay (manage the rope). The hike to the climbing & rappelling routes is about half of a mile of mostly moderate difficulty. We will be camping at a nice group campsite with a fantastic swimming area half of a mile away. Paddleboards will be available thru GTD for your paddling pleasure! Nearby hiking trails to waterfalls are also on the list of outdoor options.

The main reason we call this trip GO VERTICAL is because we will chase after all of these adventures as we explore the majesty of God's creation and the majesty of God's presence as we "GO VERTICAL" through daily devotions, praise & worship, and nightly challenges from the Bible around the camp fire.

Join us for this God-awesome GTD adventure as we GO VERTICAL on granite slabs, and GO VERTICAL with our relationship with Jesus!

- GET A FEEL FOR GTD -
Check out these GTD promo videos!

(locations and adventures in these videos include activities not on GO VERTICAL)

- EVENT DETAILS -
The Specifics

EVENT:

GO VERTICAL Rock Climbing & Rappelling Trip

DATE(S):

Sept 5-9, 2026 (Sat-Wed) (5 Days / 4 Nights)

COST:

30th Anniversary "SALE-a-bration" Price = $30/person (Regularly = $250/person)
Ministry Partner Discount = $27/person

ADVENTURES (ALL ACTIVITIES ARE OPTIONAL):

*Rock climbing & rappelling are dependent on good weather
Camping
Rock Climbing
Rappelling
Hiking
Swimming
Paddleboarding
Team Sports & Camp Games
Campfire & S'mores
Daily Devotions
More

TO REGISTER (2 STEP PROCESS):

STEP 1: ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER!! [CLICK HERE TO REGISTER]
STEP 2: PAY FOR THE EVENT. Select one of our payment options to lock in your spot.

START TIME AT CAMPSITE:

5pm (This is the official starting time on the first day at the campsite)

Early Check-In begins at 1pm. Feel free to arrive to camp early. You'll have access to camping gear & supplies, but will be responsible for your own meals and entertainment until the official event begins.

ENDING TIME AT CAMPSITE:

Noon (This is the official ending time on the last day of our trip)

Our group campground reservation ends the following day. All tents, gear, & equipment must be packed up by the end of the day on our last day of the trip, and the site must be vacated by noon the next day.
Update: Our next group arrives shortly after this trip ends on Sept 9th.

LOCATION, MAP, & GPS COORDINATES:

Lakemont, GA (Chattahoochee National Forests)

CAMPSITE: Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area - GROUP CAMPSITE (Loop 2)
Group Site is at the top of the hill past Angel Falls Trailhead & beyond Campsites #72-76
The Group Campsite is sometimes referred to as Pear Tree Hill Group Campground
ADDRESS: 5315 Lake Rabun Rd, Lakemont, GA 30552
GPS: 34°45.527'N, 83°28.353'W
PRINTABLE MAP

DIRECTION NOTE 1: The last 5+ miles to camp is along Lake Rabun Road. This road is very narrow with a lot of curves. Cell phone coverage is spotty. It is very easy to miss the campground entrance. Lake Rabun Beach Area is across the street from Loop 1 of the campground. The Group Campsite is within Loop 2 (which is separate and can't be accessed from Loop 1). Loop 2 is 1/2 mile northeast from Lake Rabun Beach.

DIRECTION NOTE 2: If pulling a trailer, the National Forest Service recommends the following route: Go west on Hwy 76 in Clayton, GA for 7 miles; turn left on Charlie Mtn Road and drive 3.5 miles; turn right on Bridge Creek Road and drive 2 miles; turn left on Seed Lake Road / Burton Dam Road and drive 5.4 miles (at the 4.4 mile mark this becomes Lake Rabun Rd). The campground will be on your left. *This route will add up to an hour to your driving time.

MIN. PEOPLE:

MAX. PEOPLE:

AGE RANGE:

No age limit... this is like a family reunion! =)
IMPORTANT: All minors (17 & under) must be accompanied by a responsible adult 21 years old or older! (Such as a parent, aunt, uncle, family friend, youth pastor, etc)

CANCEL DATE (if minimum amt of people do not register for this event):

30 days prior to the first day of the trip

TRANSPORTATION:

GTD does not supply or arrange transportation for this event.
You will need to drive or carpool to this event.

SAMPLE AGENDA OVERVIEW (subject to change):

DAY 1	DAY 2	DAY 3	DAY 4	DAY 5
Drive to Camp Restaurant Meals Set-Up Camp Dinner at Camp Impact point Campfire	Breakfast Morning Devos Main Activity Lunch Main Activity Dinner Impact point Campfire	Breakfast Morning Devos Main Activity Lunch Main Activity Dinner Impact point Campfire	Breakfast Morning Devos Main Activity Lunch Main Activity Dinner Impact point Campfire	Breakfast Break Camp Depart Camp Restaurant Meals Return Home

MEAL(S):

Our participants love our meals. They're not your typical camp meals... they are so much better! The following menu is an example of what you may find on a GTD Adventure Trip:

BREAKFAST: Pancakes, French Toast, Eggs w/ Biscuits & Gravy, Cereal, Fruit & Bagels

LUNCH: Pizza Quesadillas!!, Sandwiches & Chips, Hamburgers

DINNER: Tacos, Chicken Fettucine Alfredo, Spaghetti

DRINKS: Lemonade, Water

We don't supply a lot of snacks so bring them if you need them. Participants are usually very hungry after each major activity.
If you have special dietary needs you will want to bring your own meals. We aren't able to accommodate all of the various and numerous dietary needs we encounter each trip.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

Full time guides, rock climbing, rappelling, hiking, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, additional campsite activities, all activity equipment & gear, accommodations, tents, cots (or air mattresses), up to 11 meals, morning devotions, nightly spiritual emphasis, free downloadable event pictures, and a lifelong God-awesome memory!

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

Transportation, parking fees where applicable, special dietary meals, additional snacks, individual sleeping bags, water bottles, meals during transit, items listed on checklist (see below).

REQUIRED WAIVERS:

*NOTE: Any participant under 18 must also have their parent / guardian sign each waiver.
*IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE COMPLETE ALL WAIVERS PRIOR TO ARRIVAL. We will have extra waivers available at the campsite.
GTD Waiver [CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE GTD WAIVER]

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

GTD events can be paid for with Cash, Checks, Debit / Credit Cards, Venmo, & PayPal.
To pay online through PayPal and/or with a debit or credit card scroll up to the payment button on this link (3% "Tax" added when paying online to cover PayPal & credit card fees).
Venmo (@GTDADVENTURES): https://venmo.com/u/GTDADVENTURES
Send checks to the mailing address on the Contact link.
Bring cash payments with you to the event.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS:

GTD: 727-692-5296 (GTD cell phone - Doug Garner)
Chattooga River Ranger District (Lakemont, GA): 706-754-6221
Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area: 706-782-6798

- ABOUT OUR ACTIVITIES -
Can you tell me a little more about the activities we will be doing?

TOP ROPE ROCK CLIMBING: Top-rope climbing is all about having fun and being as safe as possible. Top-roping is the safest form of climbing. It offers the rock climbing experience with all the rewards but minimal risks by allowing you to climb a rock face with the safety rope always anchored above you usually minimizing your falling distance to only inches or a few feet.

RAPPELLING: Rappelling is a controlled descent down a rock face using a rope and friction device for controlling the speed of the slide. While rock climbing is all about getting to the top, rappelling is all about getting down safely. Rock climbing supplies the climber with a since of satisfaction, but rappelling is all about adrenaline & excitement.

- BASE CAMP -
What can I expect the campsite to be like?

For TEAM GTD, assembling a Base Camp is more than just randomly setting up a few tents, chairs and a mess hall. We want to create an environment that you love. We want to create a Base Camp that is inviting & fun. We want your first impression of your Base Camp to be, "Wow! Sweet! I love hammocks! Who wants to play volleyball! You've got cots, cool! This place is awesome!" Those kind of responses are the kind of responses we get when we set up a Base Camp The GTD Way. The GTD Way is deliberate, creative, functional and fun. Our objective is to create a temporary playground that promotes spiritual growth, recreation, community, sound sleep, physical renewal, outdoor dining, fun times, adequate hygiene and warmth while preserving a feel of being in God's amazing creation (which reveals the evidence of God). We hope you love it as much as we do!

- CHECKLIST -
What you should bring.

GO VERTICAL TRIP CHECKLIST

MANDATORY GEAR:

[ ] Small Lightweight "Travel" Bible (may get wet!)

[ ] Sleeping Bag
[ ] Pillow
[ ] Flashlight w/ New Batteries
[ ] 2 Water Bottles
[ ] Sunglasses
[ ] Sun Screen / Lip Balm
[ ] Poncho (everyone must have)
[ ] 2 Plastic Bags (wet clothes)
[ ] 2 Zip-Lock Bags (very handy)
[ ] Insect Repellent

[ ] Eyeglasses / Contacts (if applicable)

[ ] Any Necessary Meds (if applicable)
[ ] SIGNED WHITE WATER RAFTING WAIVER (if you are rafting)

[ ] GTD WAIVER (Filled out and SIGNED prior to participating!)

[ ] SEE ALL WAIVERS IN THE "REQUIRED WAIVERS" SECTION ABOVE

OPTIONAL GEAR:

[ ] Camera

[ ] Favorite Snacks / Energy Food
[ ] Extra Money

GENERAL CLOTHING:

Bring proper amount of activity clothes that are lightweight & quick drying.

[ ] Activity Shorts
[ ] Activity Shirts
[ ] Sweatshirt
[ ] Seasonal Jacket
[ ] Active Wear Pants / Jeans
[ ] Activity Shoes
[ ] Sandals / Flops
[ ] Shade Hat
[ ] Modest Swimsuit(s) & Towel
[ ] Socks
[ ] Underwear

[ ] Note: If you are white water rafting then you must wear shoes (or sandals with ankle straps)

TOILETRIES:

Toilets & showers will be available.

[ ] Wash Cloth
[ ] Towel
[ ] Biodegradable Soap
[ ] Biodegradable Shampoo
[ ] Wet Wipes (very handy!)
[ ] Toothbrush
[ ] Toothpaste
[ ] Deodorant (please bring!)
[ ] Brush / Comb
[ ] Hair Care / Gel / Spray
[ ] Razor
[ ] Shaving Cream

**DON'T BRING: Jewelry - or - Valuables**

SEE YOU THERE!