Leaving Ithaca in blizzard conditions, several cars departed Ithaca driving southwards through dicey conditions. Kentucky, 11 hours away, seemed several climate zones remote.

In Kentucky, though, the snow seemed a long way away. By the end of the week, sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 70s started making sunburn a daily consideration.

The Red offers a smorgasbord of sport and trad climbing -- groups split off each day to focus on sport or trad -- and face or crack -- the place has everything.

Many climbs and pizzas later, we returned -- Ithaca had melted. Spring was here -- at least for a few days.