I use the word home to describe the Red because that is exactly what it is, a home away from home. I have been going to the Red for 18 years now and each time I pull off the exit, I am excited to be back to such a familiar place. Fairly new to climbing, my dad and I started going down to the Red when I was about 11. The Red has always been more than just a place to climb for me. When I was young, it was my outlet, a place to get away from the regular life I lived. I could forget about the meanness of junior high and be in this place that was beautiful, doing something I loved and spending time with my dad. We would leave early in the morning to make the drive down, climb some of our favorite pitches, head to Miguel's for a delicious pizza or pizza sandwich, and camp in one of the front spots. Miguel's was not as crowded back then and there was maybe 15-20 tents compared to over a hundred now. It was a special thing for a father and daughter to do together and some wonderful memories that will never be forgotten.
 |
| Dad and I climbing in the PMRP |
As I became a little older, I was competing in the JCCA and, like most competition kids, did not climb as much outside. During this time I still went to camps at the Red with my team, however, and continued to make memories. My climbing friends became my best friends, whether they knew it or not, and helped me through some very difficult times that typical early teenage girls go through. One of them became an inspiration to me, somewhat of a mentor, as I looked up to her amazing talent in rock climbing and in life. Our parents even threw us a surprise double birthday party at a cabin in Cliffview for my 15th and her 16th birthday. Lots of friends piled in this cabin to celebrate our birthdays and some of the people who attended I still see down at the Red today.
My spring breaks in high school were not spent in Cancun or Destin, but with a small group of girls and my dad in a cabin at the Red. We would climb some, eat lots and stay up late into the night laughing and talking. Sometimes we would camp and go on night hikes under the stars. It was wonderful to be able to share this special place with my friends and give them a glimpse into what my life as a climber had been and still was.
 |
| Spring break at the Red with my high school girls |
When Ben and and I met many years later, I hadn't been climbing much. One of our first trips together was with our mutual friend Grady and we could barely climb 5.10, but we had a lot of fun. From that point on, Ben and I were making trips down to the Red every week, getting to know each other, climbing and making new memories together. Soon after, my dad started having his birthday at the Red where our whole family would travel down to hike, climb, and enjoy each other's company.
The community at the Red always has been and will remain one of my favorite things about this place. Ben and I were recently at the Motherlode and stayed 3 hours past when we finished climbing because we kept running into more friends along the way. We have met people from all over the world and made many lasting friendships. People invite us into their homes, offer us food, and we always see familiar faces at the Rockhouse or Miguels where we stop for dinner after a long day of climbing.
There are so many reasons why Ben and I call the Red home, but getting to know each other better and falling in love there is definitely at the top. My 11-year old self in rainbow-striped leggings and pigtails has grown to make more memories at the Red throughout the past 18 years than she could have imagined. What once started out as a special place between my father and I (and still is), and then between Ben and I, will hopefully be a place that we can take our future family and let our kids make their own special memories as they grow and find their "home" at the Red.
