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RRG first time

Original Post
Nick Goldsmith · · NEK · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 470

Is Miguel's the best car camping?  what area has the most easy climbs for old people who ice climbed all winter and have not touched rock since October? 

hoping the Gendarme will be open and we can buy a guide there before we head west from Seneca? 

Thanks. 

Alan Rubin · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 10

I've been decadent on my most recent trips there and rented places to stay---tent camping is hard on my aging body--and there there is the aging bladder!!!, nor am I set up for car camping as an option. As to your question, Miguel's is convenient and cheap, but can be a crowded zoo. I know folks used to like Land of Arches but not sure if it still exists.

Routes---hard to go wrong with Muir Valley. The Gallery in PMRP is another favorite. But just look for the recommended routes in the guidebook. If the Gendarme isn't open, plenty of places to buy the books in the Red, including Miguel's--he has a well-stocked store in a separate building out back.

DrRockso RRG · · Red River Gorge, KY · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 860
Nick Goldsmith wrote:

Is Miguel's the best car camping?  what area has the most easy climbs for old people who ice climbed all winter and have not touched rock since October? 

hoping the Gendarme will be open and we can buy a guide there before we head west from Seneca? 

Thanks. 

Not sure if the Gendarme carries them currently but you can get a guidebook at the Miguel's gear shop or at the Muir parking kiosk when open.  

The RRG page on mp has pretty up to date info on accommodations,  Miguel's or LOTA are pretty good options for car camping that are centrally located.

James Arnold · · Rock City, GA. Home of the… · Joined Sep 2017 · Points: 25
Nick Goldsmith wrote:

Is Miguel's the best car camping?  what area has the most easy climbs for old people who ice climbed all winter and have not touched rock since October? 

hoping the Gendarme will be open and we can buy a guide there before we head west from Seneca? 

Thanks. 

Miguels has a gear shop now, but if you don't want to pay for a book it's pretty easy to get by with the MP app IMO. You might be best off car camping at Lago Linda's or LOTA if you don't want to hang out with all the cool, sometimes rowdy kids... As Alan mentioned, Muir Valley and Gallery would be a good place.

Alan Rubin · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 10

One other thing about guidebooks. In addition to the 2 volume 'comprehensive' guidebook--and the additional one for Millers Fork,there are also 2 different, though largely overlapping, selective guidebooks to choose from--either of which should have enough to keep you busy for your stay.

Nick Goldsmith · · NEK · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 470

we would just want a select guide...  I like print guides. isa can probably figure it out on her phone. 

nowhere · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2016 · Points: 0

Camping wise it depends on the scene you like and where you want to climb.

Land of the arches is the most centrally located and very close to Muir valley. Miguel’s is closer to the northern crags and Lago Linda’s to the southern crags.

Miguel’s has the most amenities- gear shop, showers, can get prepared food onsite, laundry, basketball court, etc etc. Unless they’ve built more bathrooms in the last few years they can be kind of a choke point though, especially during morning pooping times, because there are generally so many more people there. The vibe skews younger and more of a party scene, louder, especially on weekends.

Land of the arches has a big indoor space and a smaller covered outdoor cooking area, generally solid but minimal amenities  generally a lot less crowded than Miguel’s.

Lago Linda I have not stayed at but from what I have heard is a little prettier and more mellow than the others. Don’t know much about the amenities.

if it’s your first time I would stay at Miguel’s just for the classic RRG experience, unless it really doesn’t sound like your scene.

Always hard to know what folks mean by “easy” but I think Muir is probably your best bet, there’s a few crags there with high concentrations of sub 10 routes that are highly rated.

The red is amazing, have fun and definitely don’t leave without getting on some steep perma drawed routes above your pay grade and taking some giant whips into thin air. 

Lincoln Brueck · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2023 · Points: 25

If you want really easy stuff and are in the southern gorge, I always recommend Hazel Hallow and The Shire.

Nick Goldsmith · · NEK · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 470

It would be nice to start on 5.7. I haven't touched rock since last October.. 

Alan Rader · · Wherever my Van is. · Joined May 2014 · Points: 321

Search is a good resource.   Go to RRG area, route finder and filter. 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern States
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