Red River Gorge Select

About the book

The best climbs at the entire Red River Gorge, all in one volume!

Visiting the Red and need a quick list of classics? On a budget and want to buy one book instead of three? Own all three but want a quick reference to the best climbs for a quick trip? Or do you love collecting sweet climbing guidebooks and need to see more inspiring action photos? Then Red River Gorge Select is perfect for you! The Red River Gorge has over 3,000 routes, and Red Select presents enough classics to fill a lifetime of weekend fun. With over 54 crag’s worth of routes, you’ll have plenty of areas to choose from if you need to escape crowds, rain, or cold.

Inside the book find handy icons to help plan your day: driving times, walking times, sun exposure, rain protection, and even kid friendliness. You will quickly learn how many routes there are, their grades, and percentage of sport vs trad climbs. GPS coordinates and detailed approach directions help you find your destination easily. Now all there is to do is climb!

Areas and features

• Northern Gorge- Military, Left Flank, Funk Rock City, and more

• Natural Bridge- Roadside, The Zoo, and more

• Muir Valley- Midnight Surf, Bruise Brother’s, Solarium, and more

• Southern Region- Motherlode, Chocolate Factory, Solar Collector, Gold Coast, Gallery, Drive-by, Bob Marley, and more

• Miller Fork- Infirmary, Fruit Wall, Cloud 9, Graveyard, and more

• Handy infographics about each crag for quick reference

About the authors

Born and raised in Slade, KY, Dario Ventura is a true Red River Gorge local. He did his first FA here at the age of 10, with his dad Miguel and RRG legend John Bronaugh and John’s son Alex. From this early start, he has moved on to do many more first ascents in the area, especially at Miller Fork. Like his dad, he’s got pizza in his blood, and from an early age has been an integral part of the Miguel’s Pizza business. He and the rest of the Venturas have made the Red what it is with their ability to bring climbers together from around the world. Dario knows the Red as if it has been his backyard his whole life, which in fact it has.

Mike Williams, assistant wordsmith, researcher, and project manager for this book, is a New River Gorge climber, and author of the guidebook for that area. A longtime editor of Deadpoint magazine until that fine publication’s demise, he has climbed extensively in the Red, and his love of the area and attention to detail were essential in making this book what it is.Mike lives in Fayetteville, WV, with his wife Elissa and children Hazeland Elliot, where he climbs, writes, and operates Bridge Bound Campers, tricking out Sprinter vans.

Ray Ellington has climbed at the Red for 30 years. He first partnered with Wolverine Publishing in 2005 and would go on to write 4 editions of the Red River Gorge guidebook, and self-publish the Miller Fork guide. He lives in Lexington, KY with his wife Michelle and still runs his website redriverclimbing.com.