Located in the Daniel Boone National Forest, the greater Red
River Gorge area is over 26,000 acres. The Red River runs for
approximately 20 miles through the area. The area around the
river is rife with rock climbing opportunities with multi-pitch
walls, boulders and climbing roofs to try out your over vertical
technique. The Red River Gorge can be reached by car in about an
hour from Lexington, Ky. Trails and camping are plentiful in the
area, so you can make a weekend of your trip.
Rock climbing is permitted through most of the gorge, but a few
areas are off limits. You can ask the forest rangers for a list,
but you generally are barred from climbing or descending on any
of the arches. Also, all routes are pre-set and rock climbers
are forbidden to start new routes without getting permission
first from the rangers. Sorry for the downer, but you don't want
to get arrested.
When rock climbing in Red River Gorge, there are a few areas
getting universal thumbs up. For traditional climbing, the
following areas get thumbs up:
1. Pebble Beach
2. Sky Bridge Ridge
3. Fortress
4. Long Wall
These areas all have epic climbing routes with ratings all well
above five.
Sport climbing presents an entirely different challenge and the
Red River Gorge area meets it. Top areas include:
1. Global Village with multiple climbs
2. Military Wall
3. Roadside Crag
4. Pebble Beach
5. Sky Bridge Ridge
If you are new to the area, the best two spots to hit are Pebble
Beach and Sky Bridge Ridge. Each offers a variety of climbs,
which gives you the best opportunity to try out your technique
and take on a few challenges.
There are other areas in Kentucky that offer solid rock
climbing. The Red River Gorge, however, is the king of the
mountain when it comes to rock climbing areas in KY.
More Information:Rick Chapo is with
www.NomadJournals.com - makers of diary and writing journals. Visit
www.NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles about national parks and the great outdoors.
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