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My friend and I are coming to The Gorge for our spring break March 8-15th. This is our first time here and we plan on camping out at Miquel's (Standard). We are Juniors at James Madison University and are fairly new to outdoor climbing. We'd love to meet up with any climbers willing to share their knowledge and have a good time. We have all necessary gear but lack instruction for set up. If anyone would be so kind as to offer suggestions, or is looking for some climbers to hang out/hike/adventure with, my email is pisanost@dukes.jmu.edu

Lets just hope all this darn snow is gone by next week!

There are a couple of great guide services in the area, that specialize in taking you from gym to outdoor climbing.
Check out: Kentucky Rock and Adventure Guides http://www.kragky.com/
Torrent Falls http://torrentfalls.com/rockclimbing/guided/
Red River Outdoors http://redriveroutdoors.com/guided-services

DO NOT attempt to just wing it. Make sure you seek instruction from an experienced climber. Don't be one of the next accidents in the gorge.

I winged it. Now I'm one of those "experienced" climbers.

We are somewhat winging it, but we obviously know our boundaries. Was really just looking for some more experienced peeps to hangout with and learn a few things.

Thanks for the list of certified instructors. Somewhat pricey it seems...

Pisano27 wrote:We are somewhat winging it, but we obviously know our boundaries. Was really just looking for some more experienced peeps to hangout with and learn a few things.

Thanks for the list of certified instructors. Somewhat pricey it seems...

If you are "somewhat winging it", you obviously have no clue of what the boundaries are or when you have surpassed them. Certified instructors may be a little pricey, but they are a hell of a lot cheaper than the hospital bill.

Either find an experienced mentor or pay for one.

climb2core wrote:. Certified instructors may be a little pricey, but they are a hell of a lot cheaper than the hospital bill.

Ya or casket and a funeral home.

Maybe I didn't explain myself enough? I am certified to belay and have taken a number of rock climbing classes. Obviously I'm smart enough not to "wing it" in the looked down upon label you are giving it. I was implying spontaneity not stupidity. Yes, I am new to outdoor climbing and have never set foot in Kentucky, but this post was merely to seek information and to possibly link up with friendly climbers who aren't as condescending as the two posts above me have made themselves seem. I'm new to the boards so I apologize for what may have seem to make me come across as outrageous.

Also $100+ each for a day of climbing IS pricey, especially for two college students who are trying to avoid your standard tropical spring break.

Most experienced climbers have found that spending a nice day instructing new people is not fun. To expect knowledgeable people to help you and give good advice, taking responsibility for your safety, for free is frustrating. If we don't know you, have no relationship with you, we would prefer to spend a beautiful day with friends having a great time climbing at a level that make coming out worthwhile. Yeah, people here will give you a hard time for not realizing that. A bad day at RRG is being around people that are putting themselves in danger, not understanding the ethics and manners of climbing in a beginner area. Sure it will take money for a guide. But trust me. It's better than hoping some nice guy will take you under his wing. Most at your level are not experienced enough to help keep you out of trouble. Finding the best routes for you in an unknown area alone is worth the price of a guide. Otherwise all your time is spent wandering around uncomfortably lost.

Enoch, I just want to thank you for such a thoughtful and respectful response. They are much more effective when the content is meaningful.