In 2005, a rock climbing gym was opened in Tyrone, GA.
One day a young boy came to the gym for a Birthday Party.
He was a natural climber who had clearly discovered a previously unknown passion.
Shortly after the party he began training and competing with Coach Nicole and her Team.
The two had an instant connection and formed a special bond.
One day he asked Nicole to take him beyond the gym and to share with him all of her knowledge about climbing outdoors using traditional gear.
Despite his young age, he had a great deal of enthusiasm and passion.
It was his dedication and ardent attention to detail however that won Nicole over.
Nicole shared all that she knew with this eager student and by the time he was ten she was completely entrusting her life to his very capable hands on traditional climbs outdoors.
The two shared a lot but most important was their shared passion for being on the rock.
That boy is now a seventeen year old young man...
and his passion has evolved into what he calls a fully fledged addiction.
He came up to the gorge for a visit and some world class climbing.
Friends, Ryan
and Mary, came too.
The serious cold snap and icicles on the wall did not deter their first visit to The Red.
They were like kids in a candy store.
Rock Candy!
Enough puffy jackets can make any day on the rock bearable.
And, in case you are wondering...
this old lady did in fact join the young guns
and scaled a few of those famous Red River walls, as well.
She’s still got it. Well, some of it anyway!
More from the gorge later. A multi-week aching muscle recovery period is on order.