The Red River George is a very unique climbing area know for big, steep, pocket-filled caves with hard endurance routes. It’s as close to an outdoor gym as I’ve ever seen, and that was exactly how we planned to use it.
Jen and I showed up here very out of shape. The ice season, Jen’s side trip to Florida, and lots of hiking on the drive out didn’t help grip strength at all, and our endurance was a joke. Luckily, the Red is just the place to fix it.
The first few days were depressing. I got so flash pumped on a 5.10 that I considered selling my rack. But within a couple weeks we had climbed ourselves back into shape. I was once again at second-try 5.12 fitness, and Jen led a couple 5.10s as well.
This leg of the trip was a flashback. It has been more than 18 years since either of has been here. The last time I camped at Miguel’s, it was still in the original building. But it warmed my heart that the front wall was still the same.
