Why the Red?

[JR]

Good one Scin. Stem Gem shut me down. It is a long way to travel to get shamed by a stupid human trick boulder problem.

If Andrew has taught me anything though, it is to put a spin on it. So....

Stem Gem is easy in the right conditions.

[Andrew]

"right" and "1st try" are key in climbing spray, just make sure you use them creatively

[clif]

i think these answers have been so short because it's kind of a complicated, mysterious and beautiful process of discovery. finding something that offers layers of discovery ain't what it used to be. also, there is some element of the physical landscape mimicking the psychological, lots of unintended bushwacking, surprising vistas, reticulated sunken terrain overlayed with navigable flats with disappointing dead ends... somthing like that.

[whatahutch]

Why is this place special?

And if it isn't, just call it. I know it is though. It calls my heart. I can give myself over to the Red as if it is some god (little g) that I worship. The Red is one of the idols in my life that I know that God gave me to not only test me in my faith towards him, but show his love for me, and his common Grace for all climbers and people in the world that experience it. I love the place. It isn't just some crag that I climb at. It is the smell. The look of the Hemlocks as I walk up to Military. The feel of the sandstone that I know I should be able to hang on. The colors in the fall. The stories I can tell about it. The beauty that resonates. I love the way this place is mine; as I know the trails, the streams, the crimps, the lunges, the pulls, and the rests that I have to hit to make it to the top of my projects. This place calls my soul, and I love it.

Come on people. The majority are taking this response very light. You all will put days and days and response after response into why there shouldn't be or should be perma-draws, belay devices that suck, whether a crag can be closed by its owners, or the debate of God. You will put hours of volunteer time into trail maintenance, hang and bang bolts, and put your wallet where you want to climb with support of Muir and the PMRP.

Why do you do that? What makes you want to do all I listed above (with the exclusion of the God question)?

Why is this place special?

[clif]

you should check out non-Euclidean geometry

[ted]

I love the Red mainly because i live 45 minutes away. Along with that, access is easy, good mix of sport and trad, and never ending drama. But I would trade it for a 14,000 ft choss pile any day. I have yet to see "surprising vista's" that compared with something out west, but yet Im very thankful I live near the Red. Its special in its own kinda gay way.Also, once spring break is over, vacation days run out and you begin to dig through the posers there is an awesome climbing community that makes the red different, something that they cant get anywhere else. But i could sum this all up by stating the obvious. Its beginner friendly.

[der uber]

There are relatively few 5.11c routes.

[c-foot]

........ lots of unintended bushwacking, surprising vistas, reticulated sunken terrain overlayed with navigable flats with disappointing dead ends... somthing like that.

What you talkin about Clif. Oh, that........

[KD]

I agree with Whatahutch. The red also calls out to many of my inner organs such as my heart and liver. One can get lost into the deep and lovely recesses of the Red’s dark inner kingdom where wood spirits and godlike creatures abound in its splendour. The trickling streams and boundless rock formations call quietly to one’s soul. The Red is indeed a place of mystical wonder and allure where time passes slowly as if it was warped from the light breaking through the boughs of the great woodland trees that guard its secrets as a timeless sentry guards the hidden treasures of a long lost hidden kingdom. From the humid tropical summers when it becomes a rainforest to the spectacular autumnal display and the barren winters clothed in a blanket of white – the red calls to the explorer soul. The red is a place of dreams and wonder. Love the red, enjoy the Red, become the Red (somewhat paraphrased Stalin quote there).

[Yasmeen]

You've asked two different questions now:
What is your personal opinion on why the Red is one of the best climbing areas in the world?
Why is this place special?

I want to play, too, so here's a related one:
Are KDs what Horatio Felacios become when they grow up?