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Hey, just joined the board!

So I have had a plan to visit the Red River Gorge to do some climbing this September and my guide has bailed on me and I only know a few climbers that are at my skill level. I am new to climbing and my only experience is maybe once a week at our local rock wall.. (5.4 grades)

My only experience is with "top anchor" style climbing and I know basic knots/belay/repelling...

I have purchased my own equipment because the rentals offered at the local facility are terrible!


I am not looking to "go all out" here because I do not want to get hurt but I do want to experience the nature and outdoors and get in a good climb


If I make the trip from Michigan with a few climbers at my skill level, are there any climbs that we can do? They are concerned that it would be a wasted trip because we dont have an experienced guide or a high enough skill level.

PLEEAASE HELPP

As far as super low grades like that go, there aren't too many in the Red. At least, there aren't too many 5.4's in easy to find places that are also sport. I'm going to go ahead and assume that you will be climbing sport and not trad. If you're looking for a great place to climb that offers plenty of low end climbing, 5.7-5.9, go to Muir valley. There are usually a lot of people there that can help you with beta or point you in the direction of a good route. I'm not sure on what routes to refer you too that are that low. If you go to the online guide portion of this website, you can actually search for routes based on grade. I would definitely recommend doing that before you head out. Even if you don't find any routes that are low grades, don't short yourself. Any monkey with five fingers can bolt to bolt a 5.7 sport route. Hell, I've seen first timers onsight 10s. Just be smart about what you climb. If you're nervous about hopping on a route that is between 5.7 and 5.9, just check it out first. The worst that can happen is that you leave a draw or biner behind. I did notice that you didn't mention anything about cleaning a route and I will say that if you don't know how to clean your route, don't climb. Unless, of course, you're a millionaire and can afford to leave two draws on every route you send. That being said, cleaning can be the most dangerous portion of the climb for a first timer, especially if they aren't with someone who has experience.

If you are learning how to climb outside without a mentor, get a guide.

You need to hire a guide from http://www.redriveroutdoors.com.

They will make sure you learn what you need to learn and have a great time doing it!

Better hurry, I think they are getting ready to damn the river and make the whole place a lake, some echo-psyco got all pist cus people kept bolting cracks or something.

If you can do 5.4 crux moves and do them over and over again, you can make it to the top of most 11's and a few 12's at the Red.

vertical1 wrote:If you can do 5.4 crux moves and do them over and over again, you can make it to the top of most 11's and a few 12's at the Red.

Yeah, I heard that Pure Imagination doesn't have any move harder than a Gunks 5.7. It just lacks the recovery spots that High E has.

tpowell wrote:The worst that can happen is that you leave a draw or biner behind.

I think I know what you meant, but the worst that can happen is definitely death.

There are no top anchor set ups to speak of at the Red. The expectation is that you will lead the route and set up a top-rope for your partner / group.

Hire a guide from www.redriveroutdoors.com or PM RRO on here. They will make sure your trip isn't wasted.

dustonian wrote:You need to hire a guide from http://www.redriveroutdoors.com.

They will make sure you learn what you need to learn and have a great time doing it!

Or, what Dustin said. ha ha