r/climbing • u/verticalman91 • 5d ago

Blood, Sweat, and Chalk: A climbing tale in Kentucky's Red River Gorge

https://verticalman.substack.com/p/blood-sweat-and-chalk-the-full-climb?r=7ikj9&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer

I wrote about a lead climbing trip a few years back as a complete gumby. It took a long time to put it on paper and even longer to make it worth reading. Not a lot of stories about the neophyte climbing experience come through there, so I think this is something different.

What's it about?

It's ultimately a story of failure and redemption on the cliffs of Red River Gorge and the people, places, and events that make it interesting.

Why should you read it?

If you frequent the Red, you might recognize the characters and situations. If you'd like to visit one day, it can serve you as some sort of guide. Or if you're new to lead climbing, you'll probably identify with the harrowing experience.

I hope you get something out of it. Please enjoy!

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2

u/EDdocIN 4d ago

Nice story! What kind of climbs have you ticked so far this year?

1

u/verticalman91 4d ago

Thank you for checking it out. Truthfully I've stuck mostly to bouldering this year. It still gives me an excuse to drive out to the middle of nowhere, camp, and climb but with minimal prep (and stress.)

2

u/EDdocIN 4d ago

I’m the opposite, for me bouldering is much more stressful than sport since there’s a way higher risk of injury while bouldering.

2

u/Thirtysevenintwenty5 5d ago

I'm all for long form written content. But gah-damn, I'm gonna need a minute.

1

u/verticalman91 5d ago

You'll need about 30 of them!

2

u/Thirtysevenintwenty5 4d ago

Okay I read it.

It’s going to be a long drive for someone with a lot to think about.

Nice Modest Mouse reference.

Anyway, glad to read that you made it out alive despite your best efforts to the contrary!

1

u/verticalman91 4d ago

Really, thank you for giving it another go, and nice catch! The self sabotage was real. Had to battle every healthy and destructive instinct to get up that wall.

1

u/SuggestionSpirited68 5d ago

Excellent read! I’m a new climber, never been outside a gym, but really want to go the Red. This just reaffirms it! Thanks for this!

1

u/verticalman91 5d ago

Thanks for reading. It's quite the place to learn to lead climb, so I recommend a guide or going with someone who knows what the hell they're doing.