Red River Gorge Suicide Run III (ROCK CL IMBING)

“next climbing event... thanks for help on the date stomper.”

“Maybe...gotta check the calendar at home this evening.

I so gotta get out of the house!”

“I went to the bookstore the other night looking for a book on climbing. I want to learn the lingo and everything I can about it. Well, I was looking for a book like "Climbing for Dummies" or something. I didn't find anything and then determined that the liability of writing a "Climbing for Dummies" book was probably to high. Do we really want dummies to climb?”

“there are several good books. the basics can be studied but really need to be practiced.

my all-time favorite book is "Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills". i read that damn book almost every night, but it's more of a "survey guide" to mountaineering and climbing is just one section. you would be shocked how much of the stuff you know in it already as a backpacker! well, anway, it's a good book to get the basics down and then you know where to "dive in" to get other books with more detail on ice climbing, glacier travel, etc.

"Rock Climbing: Mastering Basic Skills" (ISBN = 0898867436 ) is an outstanding book on the basics and it's not that expensive. Amazon sells it. it covers indoor and outdoor climbing and the basics of how to climb safely

... basics that must be practiced to be mastered... and practiced safely and (in my opinion) are best practiced with other more experienced climbers.

there are tons of books on gym climbing. two of the best, imo, are "the self trained climber" and "how to climb 5.12" (don't buy this one yet stomper, wait a few months).

ok, i also love the book "The Rock Warrior's Way: Mental Training for Climbers" although admit that the d00d loses me in many places. it's still fun and adds a spiritual flair to climbing... and i can tell you for a fact that some of the concepts regarding not wasting energy on things like fear and worry have paid off for me this last year. i can get really focused and almost will myself up certain sections of difficult routes. i have a hard time describing it but it's like you just know you are going to do it and you don't waste any energy on worry or fear and you just go for it. for me it's tough dynos...”

“Think this may work. When you heading down Yogi?”

“John Long has a series of books in a "How to Climb" series, he has one on basic climbing that discusses techniques and another on anchors - both are very good.

The best way to learn how to climb is just to go climb. :) (duh) hooking up with some people that will take you as a beginner is awesome. Best thing that happened to me was finding a trad leader last summer that needed a partner and he was willing to lead all the pitches and let me work on just climbing and getting more comfortable on the rocks.

There's also a "Knots for Climbers" book - very short (about 20 pages or so) get that and get a length of rope about 10 feet long and practice the knots while your watching tv or whatever at night.
last edited: 10/07/08 2:52:37 PM”

“i am heading down on friday afternoon. i am going to try and get off work at mid-day. i'll be coming back sunday, prolly mid-day so i can be home for 10-11 pm.”

“Has anyone checked to see if all of the red is open?

Who is going on this trip?”

“I'm going, but I'll be hiking while the others are rock climbing.”

“still planning on it. i haven't looked at closure information or info on the burn ban in a while. i'll do so as we get closer to the date.”

“So who all is going?

me! me! me!”

“me, but I'll be hiking.”

“so far so good.

wow, it's next weekend... coming up fast!”

“Any thoughts about camping at the camp grounds so wse can have a campfire?”

“i had not checked the status of the burn ban, but it will be cold and a fire will be nice. i am good with camping at the campground. i had not checked on the burn ban. i presume it's still on since you made this post. is this correct?”

“I don't know about the fire ban for sure, but imagine it's still in place. It will be cold so if the ban is still in place, we would need to be at the camp grounds if we want campfire. I could go either way. When there was a fire ban at Knobstone, we were told that we couldn't even have fire via our stoves to cook with. I don't know if its the same at RRG.”

“The fire ban for the Daniel Boone National Forest prohibits �building, maintaining, attending or using fire, charcoal, or campfire outside of a developed recreational site.� In addition, the order bans all fireworks forest-wide. This order will remain in effect up to 120 days or until further notice. Lanterns and camp stoves that use propane or other fuel canisters are permitted.”

“lol!

will remain in effect up to 120 days or until further notice

gotta love government language. basically, "it can last a little while or forever".

i hope it lasts forever. the red needs a break from firebugs.”

“At least we can use our stoves.”

“as long as we are at the campground we should be fine.”

“Talked to Meangreen/Capt Jack. He's a no go.”

“Crash is a maybe.”

“so far so good. it is going to be chilly. you will need a warm jacket as climbing in a group is a lot of excitement in a short period of time followed by a lot of waiting and watching. lol!”

“Anyone coming down with you Yogi?”

“Do you guys climb in wet weather?”

“prolly my kids.

i do climb in wet weather -but- we won't climb in wet weather. there are crags that stay bone dry even in a downpour because they are overhanging. these are generally very hard climbs, however, and probably out of reach for this group.

i have climbed on wet rock and in the red you would be shocked at how easy it is on that sandstone... but the cold and the wet are a bad combo. your fingers suck up the cold and it's like needles and pins. very painful.

if it's going to pour we should either reschedule the trip or just plan a weeknend of camping/hiking. ANY day in the red is a good day.”

“Couldn't agree more... The Red is beautiful.

I do have to say, however, that Chimney Top road has been beaten to death! Have you checked out the ridge top out that way lately? It's devastated.

I heard (read on the US Forestry site, I think....?) that they were going to do away with 'off trail camping' in the Gorge... At first I was opposed to this, but after seeing what's been going on out there, I'm all in favor of it.

Apparently, if you can demonstrate that you are experienced and intend to do zero-impact (or minimal-impact) camping, you'll be able to get an "X-Pass" (I think that's what it was called) that allows you to camp wherever you want... Otherwise, designated campsites only... Hopefully this will let the place recover.

We climb sometimes, but usually relatively easy stuff (no ropes)... You can get to the top of Hen's Nest without any ropes... same for Courthouse Rock... :)”

“Wow, I hadn't heard about them potentially restricting back country camping. I'm not sure what to think about it... I guess it'll be a good thing (as long as I can get an X pass.) But at the same time, I think a lot of the morons who leave trash and stuff probably won't respect the camping rules anyways. If you find the link where you read that, please post it. I know a lot of people who will be interested in this.”

“I'll look for the link...

In the meantime, enforcement does seem to be a problem. I know that there have been budget cuts to the Dept of Forestry and I believe there is only one ranger station for the Daniel Boone nowadays... (I'll try to find a link for that as well)...

So... enforcing these rules might be impossible... Hopefully new funding will show up soon :)”

“wow, this is totally cool. i would appreciate the link. i would write a letter supporting the plan.

i write lots of letters... :)

they have been doing a lot of enforcement and have been very creative since the recent fires. a lot of tickets have been handed out (which goes to show the level of the ongoing abuse). i think times are changing for the better in the red and i hope this doesn't turn into a false start.”

“i will add that banning "off trail camping" would not have a huge effect... since it seems people have no problems camping ON THE TRAIL. ;;)

i was sort of joking here but you get the point. Rough Trail and Auxier Ridge are prime examples.”

“No kidding!

I have threatened to PHOTOCOPY the LAW on a little piece of paper and carry several copies with me when I hike... (I just don't hike much these days...) I think I will actually print out the following right now!!!

CAMPING - Camping is NOT permitted:

* In any picnic area or parking area.
* Within 300 feet of any road or developed trail.
* Within 100 feet of the base of any cliff, or the back of any rockshelter.
* Within 600 feet of Gray’s Arch.
* Within any area posted “No Camping.


And whenever I come across tent's set up on a trail I will leave a copy.

Also, I may sign it: "I will return within 24 hours to check to make sure you've moved. -Ranger"”

“Does anyone know it there are any trail currently closed?”

“OK... My father and I were discussing the "Off Trail" restrictions a few months ago... I emailed him and asked him for any links he may have...

He said he'd heard on TeeVee news that "off trail camping restrictions were in the planning stage" but that the report did not give a begin date... So... At this point I can't give any particular links or details... except to say it was mentioned on the local news...

...And from what I can tell from the US Forestry site, there are no such restrictions at this time.

We're speculating that the delay in implementation is strictly budgetary.
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Here's a list of Gorge trails (most of them, anyway):

Red River Gorge National Recreation Trail
Koomer Ridge Amphitheater Trail - 0.2 miles
Angel Windows Trail - 0.3 miles
Cliff Trail - 0.3 miles
Princess Arch Trail - 0.3 miles
Whistling Arch Trail - 0.3 miles
Chimney Top Trail - 0.4 miles
Sky Bridge Trail - 0.6 miles
Tower Rock Trail - 0.6 miles
The Daniel Boone Hut Trail - 0.7 miles
Auxier Branch Trail - 0.8 miles
Double Arch Trail - 1 miles
Rush Ridge Trail - 1 miles
Silvermine Arch Trail - 1 miles
Gray's Arch Trail - 1.1 miles
Hidden Arch Trail - 1.2 miles
Wildcat Trail - 1.3 miles
Rock Bridge Trail - 1.4 miles
Buck Trail - 1.5 miles
Pinch-Em-Tight Trail - 1.6 miles
Whittleton Branch Trail - 1.8 miles
Auxier Ridge Trail - 2.1 miles
Courthouse Rock Trail - 2.1 miles
Koomer Ridge Trail - 2.6 miles
Swift Camp Creek Trail - 7.2 miles
Rough Trail - 8.3 miles

As far as I can tell, they are all open”

““Does anyone know it there are any trail currently closed?”

don't think so...

But parking is restricted to designated areas only on Tunnel Ridge Road. Apparently you can park on the road (curb) anywhere else in the Gorge (be sure to buy a permit if you plan on having your car parked between 10pm and 6am)”

“This is all I can find wrt new rules/regulations...
_____________________________________________

The Daniel Boone National Forest is seeking public input to determine future management in the Red River Gorge. A process called "Limits of Acceptable Change", or LAC, invites the public to work with Forest Service managers to balance recreational use with resource protection needs. A series of workshops has begun, and the public is encouraged to attend.

The LAC process consists of 9 steps. We began with Step 1 in the summer of 2004. We are winding down Steps 7 and 8 in early 2008.

We anticipate beginning to implement LAC projects in the summer of 2008.

Step 6 is “Identify alternative opportunity zone allocations”. The purpose of this step is to decide what resource and social conditions are to be maintained or achieved in specific areas of the Gorge. This is a prescriptive step (it is concerned with establishing what should be), and input from both the Forest Service and the public should be used to make these decisions. Step 6 involves an analysis of inventory data collected in step 4, along with area issues and concerns identified in step 1. Some issues might prove mutually contradictory (“increase opportunities for easier access into most portions of the wilderness” and “provide greater opportunities for solitude”).

During Step 6, we selected alternatives for mapping the opportunity zones by reviewing all the previous steps. The alternatives should relate back to the original issues. Maps showing locations for the six opportunity zones identified in Step 2 will be produced for each alternative.

We decided Alternative 2 would be the preferred alternative.

Step 7 is “Identify management actions for each alternative”. Now that maps showing locations of the opportunity zones have been developed (Step 6), we can see where management actions will be needed to meet standards we established in Step 5. The purpose of this step is to identify the differences, if any, that exist between current conditions (inventoried in step 4) and the standards (identified in step 5). This will identify places where problems exist and what management actions are needed.
The final product of Step 7 is a list or maps of all places where existing conditions are worse that standard and identification of what management actions would best bring conditions up to standard.

To find out more about has been accomplished in earlier steps, go to the workshops page.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/boone/lac/index.shtml
________________________________________________

So far just a bunch of talk...”

“cool, thanks for the follow up.”

“So, are we staying at the campgrounds?”

“yes. i'll change the trip page. koomer ridge campground.”

“Friday, Nov 14
High: 66 �F RealFeel�: 66 �F
Cloudy with a shower
Friday Night, Nov 14
Low: 43 �F RealFeel�: 40 �F

Saturday, Nov 15
High: 48 �F RealFeel�: 45 �F
Still cloudy and colder with a shower possible
Saturday Night, Nov 15
Low: 31 �F RealFeel�: 26 �F
Cloudy and chilly; occasional evening rain and drizzle followed by a flurry

Sunday, Nov 16
High: 46 �F RealFeel�: 47 �F
Chilly with partial sunshine

Dress accordingly”

“Stomper is trying to reach you”

“i'll give her a call.”

“Looks like I'll be there first. I'll get a campsite on the very left side of the campground, the area we used for the Mother's Day Hike. (You don't go around the circle to get there, it's on the far left) I guess I should get two sites cause I think there's only sposed to be one or two tents per site.

What are yall bringing to eat?”

“I was going to bring basic backpacking food, but am open to ideas. What did ya have in mind?”

“a big pot of stew sounds good.”

“Thats what I had for dinner tonight. lol
Have you talked with Yogisan? Any update?”

“still going! We be climbin!”

“Just waiting for the work day to be over.”

“i have NEVER bailed on a trip before and badly want to go climbing, but i am feeling really ill this morning. i was not doing well last night after playing racquetball with my son. i probably need to eat something. really low energy, groggy... congested.”

“call me if you bail”