where can I set up a top-rope at the Red?

Post by **kirwin** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 6:51 pm

Hi folks,

I'm about to make my first trip to the Red, and there are no lead climbers in our group. Is there a particular wall or area that has easy access to the top of the climb so we can set up a top-rope safely? I tried finding some sort of online guide that would include this information, but couldn't find one. Can someone point to one or maybe mention a few places where this is possible? Thanks!

Post by **The Pirate** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 7:03 pm

Good luck...the red is not the best place to top-rope, Go to left flank and ask a real climber to set up a rope for you, or ask around at Miguels for a rock climbing guide. I would be glad to help if you contact me with your arrival dates.

Post by **Gretchen** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 7:36 pm

Your best bet is to stay in Ohio and climb at John Bryant State Park. Easy top rope routes there. The Red does not lend itself to a top roping location. Or find yourself a leader.

Post by **captain static** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 8:10 pm

Check this website for information on climbing/top-roping areas in Ohio - http://www.ohioclimbers.org I also strongly encourage that you find a competent lead climber to climb with if you want to climb at RRG.

Post by **Firefly** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 8:53 pm

I am heading for the red tomorow, I would be glad to put up some routes for you. I have been climbing the red for 3years now. So I kinda now what I am doing. Get back to me with the dates you will be there. I will be satying at megals

Post by **loren** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 9:06 pm

james neukam wrote:Good luck...the red is not the best place to top-rope, Go to left flank and ask a real climber to set up a rope for you, or ask around at Miguels for a rock climbing guide. I would be glad to help if you contact me with your arrival dates.

Nice jackass. I guess that means that you are a real climber?

My advice would be to ask a friendly-seeming group of climbers if they would mind hanging your rope on whatever they are climbing when they get ready to clean their rope. I can't imagine anyone not being willing to do this and most weekends you will find people at all of the popular crags.

Good luck! You'll dig the Gorge.

Post by **herbalist** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 9:25 pm

loren wrote:
james neukam wrote:Good luck...the red is not the best place to top-rope, Go to left flank and ask a real climber to set up a rope for you, or ask around at Miguels for a rock climbing guide. I would be glad to help if you contact me with your arrival dates.
Nice jackass. I guess that means that you are a real climber?

My advice would be to ask a friendly-seeming group of climbers if they would mind hanging your rope on whatever they are climbing when they get ready to clean their rope. I can't imagine anyone not being willing to do this and most weekends you will find people at all of the popular crags.

Good luck! You'll dig the Gorge.

man i wish i could be a REAL climber like you.

Post by **pigsteak** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:57 pm

wow, let's beat up james....

in his defense, he could be right....a group with no competent lead climbers coming to the Red..doesn't that signal a lack of outdoor experience, or do some people actually top rope their entire lives?

if someone hangs your rope for you, I hope they do it thru draws and not thru the chains....which then leaves it for you or one of the other "newbies" do do a transfer later on to retrieve the draws....sounds like chaos to me...

are we assuming that a group with no leader will then be competent to transfer? I'm with James on this one....may I also back the sugestion to hook up with someone who knows the ropes of lead climbing and cleaning. Have fun, but don't assume top roping at the Red is anything like going to the local gym....

Post by **the lurkist** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 11:29 pm

Its nice to be all inclusive and all, but isn't it irresponsible to encourage someone to come climbing someplace where they are going to be self admittedly over their head?
How many injuries can you count in the past years that were due to user error. All of them. And most of those involved parties had at least a modicum of experience.
Remember the girl who decked off of the route that every beginner does- Sunshine? She was with a group from Notre Dame (who were all top roping) and she was supposedly the one with the experience.
Without being rude to Kirwan- You need to have someone with you supervising who is experienced or you should go someplace that has the type of climbing your skill/experience level allows you to do.

Post by **ynot** » Fri Mar 26, 2004 12:33 am

Hire a guide.