Max Barron

There’s some photos I’m far too excited to withhold and feel the urgency to share with the world. South of Heaven is an absolute 💎 of a route at Newcum Tower in Cliffview Recreational Preserve which I believe is an instant classic. A striking arete on a detached standalone tower with vibrant rock and committing, technical sequences with a fantastic view at the top 🙌🏼 rock climbing doesn’t get much better than this. . While hanging from the static rope, I couldn’t help but think immediately to the iconic @jimthornburg image of Too Many Puppies in the previous guides that I obsessed over, and wanted to emulate and capture the beauty of this route in a similar way. This route is certainly in the same class as Too Many Puppies and is a really special addition to the Red. . 🧗: @amanda_colette @rockstrongpt 🪨: South of Heaven 5.12b First Ascent: @scocurran3 📍: Newcum Tower, Cliffview Recreational Preserve, RRG KY . . . #climbing #rockclimbing #sportclimbing #redrivergorge #redrivergorgeous #danielboone #boone #verticallife #optoutside #neverstopexploring #verticallimit #southerncharm #cuttherope #getoutside #climbingphotography #climbsouth #steepsouth #cliffview #southofheaven #arete

While I still feel like I have more to share from our trip in 🇿🇦 , I’ve been keen to share more recent action as the season in the Red nears. I’ve been wanting to take top down photos of Snozzberries for years now, particularly this famous move which has made weekend whipper a half dozen times. I hope anyone who has climbed this route (especially for their first time) is able to relate to the body position and the emotion evoked in this move when they commit. I climbed this route numerous times while working on a previous project, and always appreciated its three distinct and featured sections while lowering along with Type 1 fun movement. . 🧗: @chlojoealexandria 🪨: Snozzberries 5.11d 📍: The Chocolate Factory, Red River Gorge KY . . . #climbing #rockclimbing #sportclimbing #redrivergorge #redrivergorgeous #danielboone #boone #verticallife #optoutside #neverstopexploring #verticallimit #southerncharm #cuttherope #getoutside #climbingphotography #climbsouth #steepsouth #snozzberries #chocolatefactory #willywonka

Zookeeper ✅ Part 1/2 . The predominant feeling I had after clipping the ⛓️ of this multi season, two year project was one of Gratitude, first and foremost to @kyleclimbsweak , who has been the best climbing partner I could ask for. He’s played a vital role as a mentor and partner in every project I’ve had in the Red and has reliably been there for the whole rollercoaster, from exploring beta, celebrating successes, cutting it up at the crag, allowing me the space at times to “sit in the pit of despair”, and secretly hiking up send beers for me on multiple weekends. I can’t imagine going through this process without him including his terrible dad jokes and elaborate stories 😜. He’s also served as a model as a climbing steward, as he rebolted and installed permadraws on Zookeeper, places mussy hooks on Eye of the Liger, and did trail work with a chainsaw multiple days before climbing. I’d also like to express deep gratitude to so many other friends through this process including @sands.blake @mitchmandel @matt_looby @simonsaysclimb @zanemt @toricmuhamed @obadiahjessup @danmirsky and of course @amanda_colette 😘. It truly takes a village to get me up a 40ft piece of rock 😂 . I’d also like to express a special thanks to @natedrolet of @powercompanyclimbing as my coach these last couple seasons. Training with him has altered my course as a climber for the better and opened up my tunnel vision in training methods and application. As someone who knows the Red and route well, his guidance and encouragement was invaluable throughout this journey and look forward to expressing the things I’ve learned into other climbs in the future. Having climbed my first V10 and 5.14 in the last year, he’s shown he’s one of the best in the business. . Finally, thank you to @climbasg who made the first ascent of this stunning route (in more impressive style I’ll add). I remember climbing in the gym with Andrew years ago around the time he made the FA which had inspired me and many others ever since. . I’ll share more reflections on this projecting process in the new few days. . 📸: @drewerd_ 🪨: Zookeeper 5.14a 📍: The Zoo, Red River Gorge, KY

While many of the new routes in Cave Fork and Cliffview need a bit more cleaning or much more cleaning 🧹 some routes are hot to go including Coastin’ at the Venue. When I first went to the Venue, I found it hard to believe this route was only 12b given how steep, long, and meandering the features are, and also assumed that it would be raining choss for months or years. I was happy to realize both assumptions were wrong, and realized this is one of the most Type 1 fun routes in the Red and felt like an amusement park ride. The route starts with a massive sloping flake feature for 40 ft to a ledge, followed by a miraculous traverse of pumpy features for the remaining 50-60ft with very comfy jugs. Someone mentioned it resembling a 12b version of Thug Life which I could see, and know that I’m bound to climb on this many times in the future. . Fortunately and unfortunately, the sun seemed to be on my heels taking photos all day long, which led to pretty epic but challenging light to work with 💡 . 🧗: @bierson 🪨: Coastin’ 5.12b 📍: The Venue, Cave Fork, RRG KY . . . #climbing #rockclimbing #sportclimbing #redrivergorge #coastin

I feel somewhat obligated to throw it back to the Dark Side for May the 4th. It’s been a couple of seasons since I’ve been back to this crag but is certainly one of the most distinct stylistic walls in the Red with its aggressive power endurance still and iconic band of pockets. Swingline (unfortunately named by someone who wasn’t playing to the theme of crag) stands as a benchmark for its grade, broken down by a flowing 5.13 to a ~V7 boulder that requires precision, finger strength, and finesse executed while pumped (at least for most mortals). . 🧗: @mwpclimbs 🪨: Swingline 5.13d 📍: The Dark Side, RRG KY . . . #climbing #rockclimbing #sportclimbing #redrivergorge #darkside

I had a great time attending and taking photos for the @steepsouth film premiere of “In These Hills” this Saturday which highlights stories about the crossroads and melding of climbers and locals along with experiences of growing up in the region. I think Elaine and everyone involved did an amazing job at telling these stories, illuminating efforts that have been made, and also conveying an opportunity for climbers to be more open, respectful, and involved with local communities around the Red and beyond. Meeting different communities in the Red this year has deepened my love of this region personally, and am able to appreciate this place even more dimensions now . 🧗: @catlikeacat @climblikeacat 🪨: Silky Smooth 5.13c 📍: The Chocolate Factory, RRG KY . . . #climbing #rockclimbing #sportclimbing #redrivergorge #silkysmooth

Huge congrats to @simonsaysclimb and @pascalehaug for tying the knot this weekend and starting/continuing their longest project together. It’s always special to bear witness to an endless depth of love between two friends you admire and love, along with meeting the wonderful people that been brought together for the occasion. Pascale and Jordan are truly community builders, and I was really struck not only to reunite with mutual friends I know, but also to meet so many other wonderful people of character at the wedding. It’s also always fun to see how their personalities came out in all the details throughout the night, from the crossword puzzles, games, crafts, and music. 🥂 to many years to come . 🧗: @simonsaysclimb 🪨 : Glass Elevator 5.10d (hard) 📍: The Chocolate Factory, RRG KY

Sometimes when you’re hanging from a static photographing in rough lighting conditions, all you can do is pray and hope for a friendly cloud to roll through at the right moment. I remember battling constantly fluctuating sun and clouds up this route, and was luckily given a moment of grace towards the top of this beautiful route. Easy Rider has always appeared as the long elegant crimp line from the ground, but looking at it top down reminded me of how epic of a line it is. . 🧗: @_lucyo_ 🪨: Easy Rider 5.13a 📍: Drive By Crag, RRG KY . . . #redrivergorge #rockclimbing #redriverclimbing #sportclimbing #easyrider

Alex Mueck knows how to bring all the colors to a photoshoot. Wildfire stands out for its style within its grade, as it is one continuous flow of power endurance interrupted by just one rest. While it probably stands under 40ft, it feels like all quality movement from bottom to top. . 🧗: Alex Mueck 🪨: Wildfire 5.12a 📍: Curbside RRG KY . . . #climbing #rockclimbing #sportclimbing #redrivergorge #wildfire

This is a photo of a Southerner who may be very Pumped, but knows how to use every drop in the ⛽️ tank to reach the anchors like he’s driving a 2001 Toyota Sienna cross country. Although @dbizznis has had multiple bizarre and frustrating injuries in the past couple of years, you can always count him in for a good comeback story and always seems to be able to meet the moment when an opportunity comes. It’s been awesome following along with his and @mitchmandel journeys working this amazing route. . Southern Pump continues to be a beacon and a lifetime dream line of mine and is a bit ironic how much I have belayed and hung on a rope above it, with only actually getting on it once. It’s a route that seems to demand commitment, patience, and learning from everyone who I’ve seen try it, and doesn’t seem to come easy to anyone. It arguably climbs the most central line out of the Bob cave through low crux of Southern Smoke, Redpoint crux of 50 Words for Pump, and has its own unique sections in between. It requires equal parts bouldering power, fitness, technical prowess, and mental fortitude to reach the anchors which makes it equal parts intimidating and inspiring to me. I hope it’s time will some day come for me to start the journey on it, but have a sense it’ll be a long but rewarding one. . 🧗: @dbizznis 🪨: Southern Pump 5.14a+ 📍: Bob Marley Crag, RRG KY . . #redrivergorge #rockclimbing #redriverclimbing #sportclimbing #southern

For how intimidating Thug Life looks, I appreciated how playfully @catlikeacat approached it and how much fun and dynamic he made it look checking it out. Thug Life will always be iconic despite how few people actually tie in for it. . If you want to hang with Cat, see @amanda_colette alter ego AmandaConda DJ, and experience amazing clinics and community building, check out @heyflashfoxy mini festival in the Red this spring. . 🧗: @catlikeacat 🪨: Thug Life 5.13d 📍: Drive By Crag, RRG KY . . . #climbing #rockclimbing #sportclimbing #redrivergorge #thuglife

Coming in a day late for International Women’s Day, but wanted to give an homage to all the amazing women that have shaped my life including @amanda_colette ❤️ of course. I had the joy of spending time with both of my grandmas this Saturday, one of whom was celebrating her 90th birthday, along with my other who has also passed this milestone. I feel unbelievably lucky to have both of them very actively in my life and have such deep admiration for the values they have handed down along with being such a strong foundation for our families. It’s also absolutely heartwarming to see the admiration they have for one another, and was able to sit and smile as I watched my grandma Barron write a birthday letter to my grandma Kucharski in her beautiful cursive handwriting. It was also wonderful to celebrate such a day with my mom, sister, and many cousins who all made this day possible. . 🧗: @amanda_colette 🪨: Divine Punishment 5.13b 📍: Chocolate Factory, RRG KY . . . #climbing #rockclimbing #sportclimbing #redrivergorge #redrivergorgeous #danielboone #boone #verticallife #optoutside #neverstopexploring #verticallimit #southerncharm #cuttherope #getoutside #climbingphotography #climbsouth #steepsouth #divine #chocolatefactory