Last Red River Gorge Trip of the Year

Andrew Osnach climbing “Synchronicity” at the Roadside Crag. 5.11a trad.

I didn’t go straight home to Indiana after landing in the US from my time in India. I stayed three weeks here, a week there, and so on till I met several friends in Red River Gorge, Kentucky for a weekend of climbing. I’ve always struggled balance my time between actually climbing and photographing climbing and decided that I have to say, “Today I am climbing” and “today I am shooting.” Otherwise I end up carrying 100lbs of gear with me all over the cliffs and valleys and taking only one or two photos.

Two of my buddies left on Sunday, but Leigh and I stayed on Monday specifically to take photos. Having not made prior plans I decide on Roadside Crag because of its popularity and varied route difficulties. Approaching the cliff I find two guys preparing to climb a trad route (traditional climbing using your own protection gear instead of bolts in the rock) to the left of a beautifully pocketed climb. I don’t have a guidebook, but I think it looks about like a 5.9, which I should be able to climb with no problem. I scamper to the top just as the first climber finishes the trad route. I end up hanging out with them the whole day.

George Makaronis cleans the trad route Five Finger Discount, 5.8.

Andrew Osnach climbs “Andromeda Strain”, a beautiful 5.9+ trad route.

Andrew Osnach and Eric Thomson work on Fadda, a nicely pocketed 5.10a.

George Makaronis contemplates Fadda as Andrew practices placing trad gear on Motha.

Andrew Osnach climbing “Synchronicity” at the Roadside Crag. 5.11a trad.
Take note of the no-hands knee-bar taking place on the image on the right!

Climbing in the Red in mid-October is the best time. Not only do you have perfect temperatures (highs in the 60’sºF), but you get to enjoy the amazing fall foliage. It’s good climbing here most of the year, but the scenery is not the area’s strongpoint. But watching the trees change from above is, well, the only way to see it.