Red River Gorge Trip Report

We are all back from a rainy but fantastic climbing weekend at Red River Gorge area. Some of us drove up on Friday early in the morning and climbed at Roadside Crag. On Friday evening all nine of us met on the Wittleton camp side at Natural Ridge State Park. Some have already enjoyed Miguel's Pizza that was also on Saturday the first choice after a hard climbing day. 

In the night it rained nearly all the time, so we went first to the Northside Outfitter Hostel for a good climber breakfast (the total hostel is brand new and is a great place to stay!). Afterwards we would like to try Dip Wall but the road was closed therefore we drove back to Fortress Wall. With his overhangs a good climbing area for a rainy day. Frank has lead Bomb Bursting (5.8**)and Denmark lead Calypso 1 (5.7*) and American Crack (5.4**). We all tried the hard and balance entrance of American Wall (5.3R***) with a Hugh reach up to the Island.

On Sunday we went to the area Lady Slipper. The Global Village section that is the farer area (30 min hike) is a bit steeper. The sport climbs are more varied with edging, plates, shelves and overhangs. Denmark's choice was Father and Son (5.7**) and Frank lead Trade Vision (5.7*). Both nice cracks with lean backs, edges hand / feed jams. At 1pm we hiked out with a last look back to the possibilities if we hadn't to drive back such a long way. Even with a shower in between we had a lot of fun and everyone would like to come back at a later time of the year.

A great thanks to our lead climbers Denmark and Frank who hasn't hesitated to set up the routes even in dam and wet conditions.

 

Hope you have all enjoyed the trip and I will see you again at our next trip and trail day to Lost Wall or Rock Town.