Groups: Rocktoberfest / Petzl Roc Trip
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I first started going to Red River Gorge in the early 70's on camping and backpacking trips. In those days Seneca Rocks was the place to climb for us Buckeyes. Still we saw some potential at the Gorge and would occassionally bring our ropes and racks along with us. There was no guidebook to the Gorge as far as we knew. Chimney Top Rock and Tower Rock were the only two "crags" I had ever heard of in the Gorge.
The 80's brought two things that would revolutionize climbing in Red River Gorge, Miguel's Pizza & sport climbing. Miguel's brought together disparate climbers, Kentucky locals, Buckeye's, and even dreaded outsiders. Sport climbing was in large part brought to Red River Gorge by the bolt drill of one man, Porter Jarrard. I have fond memories of leaving weekend parties in Cincinnati around 11:30 pm, driving down with my climbing partner Jerry Bargo to crash in the Love Shack at Miguel's, and getting up to climb the next day. Those were the days when everyone at Miguel's knew everyone else. Then as the sport climbing scene exploded at the Red, I'll never forget the first time I walked into Miguel's and knew no one.
It seems that in the last ten years the Miguel's scene has settled and I always find some familiar faces and old friends to hang out with. It is also fun at Miguel's to meet new people from around the US, Canada, and all over the world. This year at the beginning of Rocktoberfest / RocTrip, Miguel's hosted a reception for the RocTrip athletes in their newly remodeled basement dining area. To show their appreciation these athletes signed a limited edition Petzl RocTrip / Rocktoberfest poster that was presented to Miguel by John Evans, Marketing Director for Petzl America. Thank you Miguel for providing climbers a place to call home for all these years and thank you for being such a gracious host during RocTrip.
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 202.thumbnail.jpg "Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve in Lee County, KY")
 196.thumbnail.jpg "Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve in Lee County, KY")
 134.thumbnail.jpg "Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve in Lee County, KY")
 004.thumbnail.jpg "McConnell's Mill State Park in Portersville, PA")
 049.thumbnail.jpg "Lower COAD Boulders in Athens, OH")
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 071.thumbnail.jpg "Lower COAD Boulders in Athens, OH")
woodchuck07 says:
the Capt. says it all, and has lived the history to know. I missed this entry of his, and just finished posting up a Miguels item this AM. A huge 'thank you' must go out from every climber who spends their carefree evenings at this location. Hope to see about 3 hundred more responses to this blog by later this week.
captain static says:
I'm sorry I was remiss in my late night blogging to thank Miguel's lovely wife Susan who has also always been there for all of us. Much thanks also go out to Dario Ventura, Sarah Ventura, and all of the staff at Miguel's who have worked extra hard over the last week to make sure everyone was comfortable and well fed during the event.
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woodchuck07 says:
Ah yes, everyone is involved in the thank-you's. I'm sure they had a game plan for how to deal with all of us. Just keeping the ice cream freezer filled for me is a full time job!
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