Daniel Woods and other Petzl Athletes Storm the Red River Gorge

Daniel Woods flashing Transworld Depravity (8b+ / 5.14a) in the Red River Gorge, Kentucky. Photo: © Forest Woodward

--Updated Nov. 11, 2012--

Several members of the Petzl athlete team recently visited the steep sandstone cliffs of the Red River Gorge, in Kentucky, and dispatched many of the area’s hardest routes.

Daniel Woods, best known for his bouldering accomplishments, spent much of 2012 tackling hard sport climbs in places like Borneo, Colorado, and Wyoming. 

His psyche on sport culminated with this trip to the Red, during which he sent Omaha Beach (8b+ / 5.14a) first try, Southern Smoke (8c+ / 5.14c) third try, The Madness (8a+ / 5.13c), Transworld Depravity (8b+ / 5.14a), Pushin’ Up Daisies (8a+/5.13c) onsight, Thanatopsis (8c / 5.14b), Southern Smoke Direct (9a / 5.14d), Pure Imagination (8c+ / 5.14c) flash, 24 Karats (8c+ / 5.14c), Lucifer (8c+ / 5.14c) second try, and Golden Ticket (8c+ / 5.14c).

“I feel fully transferred from bouldering to sport climbing,” Daniel wrote on his Facebook page, which seems a bit of an understatement. Already, he and his friend and fellow Petzl athlete Jon Cardwell have started bolting new, hard lines at the Red.

For his part, Cardwell redpointed Southern Smoke and Southern Smoke Direct, 50 Words for Pump (8c+ / 5.14c), and Pure Imagination. He also onsighted a stiff 5.13d called Super Charger.

Meanwhile, Mélissa Le Nevé, of France, sent Southern Smoke, 50 Words for Pump, Transworld Depravity, Ultra Perm (8b / 5.13d), Pushin’ Up Daisies, and Black Gold (8a+ / 5.13c). And Mike Fuselier, also of France, took care of Southern Smoke and Pure Imagination, as well. Mélissa and Mike are now off to Petzl RocTrip Argentia...

...Stay tuned!