RRG & Falling

climber Evan Johnson, photo by Kurt Hager

This fall a few new friends invited me to go to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. This place is sport climbing mecca. I couldn't believe the variety of routes. Everything from slab, to steep, to severely overhanging rock routes :)

the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall 

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I fell on a lot of routes, and really pushed my limits. We learned a lot on this trip and ended up writing every day off as a "learning day." It was serious fun and I hope to get back soon.

There's a pizza place called Miguels at the gorge where everyone camps and hangs out. The climbing community there was a new experience. There were people from all over the world, and people from all different stages of life.

The climbing community is incredible, and the people you meet is often the most exciting part of any climbing trip.

More North Shore Ice

Lake Superior Ice Climb

Took another trip up the north shore of Lake Superior towards Grand Marais in search of more ice to climb. We found some fantastic routes and got on the classic Minnesota route - Nightfall, pictured below.

Nitghtfall WI4 Ice Climb

The picture above shows my climbing partners approaching the lower section of the climb. The Devil Track river that leads to this climb also contains other ice flows and seeps. Some are covered by heavy brush in spots, but this is an all around fantastic climbing area.

North Shore Ice Climbing

Climber - Carter Stritch

Went up to the north shore last weekend and climbed some ice over lake superior. We rappelled down and set up a hanging belay just above the crashing waves. One of the craziest places i've climbed in Minnesota, or anywhere.