The Red with Chris Sharma and Michaela Kiersch

Image representing Chris Sharma climbing on a boulder.

Image representing Chris Sharma climbing.

The Red with Chris Sharma and Michaela Kiersch

In October, our team headed to Red River Gorge to take part in Rocktoberfest. The festival raises funds for the Red River Gorge Climbing Coalition to help maintain 1,100 acres of climbing land and roads. We gave out some prAna gear and hosted a yoga class to stretch out pumped muscles.

During the festival, we caught up with prAna friends, Chris Sharma and Michaela Kiersch to try out routes in The Red. Meet both of these incredible athletes below and hear what the weekend meant to them.

A photo of Chris Sharma and Michaela Kiersch

Michaela is a pro-rock climber (and an occupational therapist!) as well as the first woman to send The Golden Ticket (5.14c).

Take us back to 2016 and your historic first female ascent of one of the most difficult routes in Red River Gorge, The Golden Ticket 5.14c. What did it feel like accomplishing it and how does it feel to be back on the route this weekend?

My ascent of The Golden Ticket in 2016 was incredibly pivotal in my climbing career. It was the first time I challenged myself to choose a project outside of my comfort zone and potentially outside of my physical capabilities. In order to combat the huge fear of failure, I measured my progress with mini-goals, such as making every move, and then doing two moves in a row, and so on. When I finally clipped the anchors I was overcome with joy and pride, and an even bigger desire to push my limits further. Coming back to the route this weekend really exemplified that I’ve been successful in pushing my limits — I felt so comfortable and calm while remembering the moves, a feeling I couldn’t have imagined in 2016.

You’re pushing boundaries in the climbing space, and are a role model for many in the space. Who are some climbers you looked up to?

I have always looked up to the climbers in my immediate community. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have role models throughout my climbing career who have trained with me, become friends, and also lifelong climbing partners. My first climbing role models were my teammates on the youth climbing team I grew up competing on, many of whom I still climb with today. I’ve been surrounded by hardworking, dedicated, and humble people in climbing — qualities that I admire and aspire to embody.

An image of Michaela Kiersch.
Do you have any projects you’re working on next?
I always have another project on the horizon! I am currently in Spain running around and climbing new routes, testing some really hard projects, and preparing for a return trip.

Chris is a long-time prAna athlete and has worn prAna gear since starting his climbing journey at 14. He established the world’s first 5.15b as well as the first-ever climbing competition series earlier this spring.

It’s been over a decade since you’ve climbed in Red River Gorge. How has the area changed since you were here last?

I haven’t really been to the Red since 2008 and it was incredible to be back and see how the place has changed. There are so many new climber businesses that have popped up and many new areas that have been developed. I had kind of forgotten how incredible and unique the rock and the climbing are too. I want to make a return trip soon!

It was your first time trying many of the routes. What did you love about Golden Ticket or Pure Imagination?

I had tried The Golden Ticket once on my previous trip when it was still a project. So it was one of the climbs I was really looking forward to going back to. In the end, I wasn’t able to do it this trip but I’m super excited to come back soon. It’s a spectacular route!