Red River Gorge, Kentucky

We woke up pretty early to a rain soaked campsite at the Land of Arches campground in Red River Gorge Kentucky as it rained throughout the night at a slow and steady constant level but thankfully stopped as we finished breakfast.  We headed out to Muir Valley and made it over a section called Land Before Time which had a series of 5.8 to 5.10D fix bolted trad routes. 

Red River Gorge, Kentucky

It was a nice little hike down to the crag which included a hike through a small arch called Liz's Arch. Walter brought some extra harnesses for Nathanael and Naomi.  We hiked down to the Crag and Walter led a 5.8 while I belayed him and set up a top rope for everyone else.

Land Before Time 5.8 -5.10D Red River Gorge, Kentucky

The route appeared to have some nice jug holds and interesting features to manipulate around which made this route a fun pitch. 

Land Before Time 5.8 -5.10D Red River Gorge, Kentucky

Walter cleaned the route by rigging himself directly into the anchor and set up a pull down which was something I got to do on the 5.10A route.  

Natural Bridge. Red River Gorge, Kentucky

After Walter climbed the 5.10A route called "Sabertooth" I got on rope and climbed up to some interesting overhanging lip which I found to be a bit challenging yet was a lot more interesting than gym climbing as I can use just about any kind of hold I need in order to get over the crux. 

Natural Bridge. Red River Gorge, Kentucky

I worked my way to the top and set up the rope for a pull down as I rapped down and we pulled the rope down. We decide to take off to do some hiking around where the arches were so Walter stayed and we took off to the Natural Bridges area of Red River Gorge.

Natural Bridge. Red River Gorge, Kentucky

While driving through the gorge, we saw the leaves changing in their beautiful fire red, orange and yellow colors along with the climbing routes we could see from the road. You could even see some of the people climbing them as we meandered over to the section where the arches were located. 

Natural Bridge. Red River Gorge, Kentucky

I realized that we just landed into a very touristy section of the gorge and we were passing by herds of people huffing and panting as they made there way up the sloped 1 mile trail to a very nice arch on top of a ridge.

Natural Bridge. Red River Gorge, Kentucky

 

There was a section were we could walk up and on top of the arch and view the valleys below with all the leaves changing which was really nice to see. 

Natural Bridge. Red River Gorge, Kentucky

We made it over to another cliff section to see the arch itself with the leaves and quickly started to head back to the car so we could make our way back to Chicago.  I want to thank Walter Stech for bringing all the climbing gear to climb in the Land before Time and for all of the beta. It was a great weekend and I am looking forward to going back sometime soon.

Natural Bridge. Red River Gorge, Kentucky