Steep South

The newest Steep South film trailer is here! In These Hills is a film that follows Aislynn Trompler and Sarah Crabtree - two women who grew up in the Red River Gorge to oil and coal families. When they both discovered climbing, it completely changed their lives for the better. Now it’s up to the locals and climbers to come together to keep sharing outdoor opportunities with kids who often face adversity in these small towns. For a region that once depended on coal and oil, can an unconventional climbing community uplift the economy and livelihood of their Eastern Kentucky home? Film Crew: Director- @elainelliott DOP/Editor- @mariorstan Photographer/Grip- @nd_pics Music- @thelocalhoneys Featuring- @aislynn._ , @positiveattractionsoaps , @audreysniezek , and Ray Crabtree #Climbsouth #climbing #climbingfilm #redrivergorge #redrivergorgeclimbing

Images from the In These Hills premiere! 🎉🎊 We celebrated with 230 attendees and raised $1,700 for @lcrc_climbs ! Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the film and cause. It was such a fun event with highlights like an incredible meal from @miguelsatthered , @qatrivia trivia, beer from @countryboybrewing , tunes by @itbvrnz , and space hosted by the soon-to-be @miguelsclimbshop . Thank you to our event sponsors @foxmountainguides , @cruxforgedclimbing , @gopowelltourism , @ale8one , @redriver_gorgeous_cabinrentals , @organicclimbing . And thank you to the filmmakers who put this all together - @elainelliott and @mariorstan . 📸 first 6 pics courtesy of @mjbarron STAY TUNED as we put the short film on Vimeo in the next few weeks! #climbsouth #redrivergorge #redrivergorgeclimbing #miguelspizza

BTS of our upcoming film In These Hills 🎥 This proj has been several years in the making and we can’t wait to finally send (I mean show) it on April 18!! Celebrate with us and see the debut at @miguelsclimbshop . Link in bio for tickets. 🎟️ @organicclimbing @redriver_gorgeous_cabinrentals @foxmountainguides @cruxforgedclimbing @countryboybrewing @ale8one #climbsouth #redrivergorge #redrivergorgeous #redrivergorgeclimbing #miguelspizza

ICYMI! To those who can’t make it to the Saturday premiere, don’t worry! Come by @redpointrrg next Wednesday to see In These Hills, grab a cocktail, and watch some more Southeast climbing films! In These Hills features Redpoint’s very own @aislynn._ . We can’t wait to support her and everyone else involved at this small “locals only” midweek screening. 🎥 Portion of proceeds will go to the @lcrc_climbs 🫶 #climbsouth #redrivergorge #redrivergorgeclimbing #redrivergorgeous

Scenes from Ghost Town opening weekend. Congrats to the @carolinaclimberscoalition for securing this historic crag for generations to come! 👏🎉 📸 @fosseauxlions___ photo of Nick on the route Wide Erp #climbsouth #tradisrad #chimneyrock #climbnc

Movie poster & event details! We’ll be selling about 15 film posters at the premiere for $15. DM to reserve one to ensure you get yours! Swipe 👉 to see more event info. Ticket price includes a delicious dinner made by Dario, drinks by @countryboybrewing and @ale8one , trivia with @qatrivia , Kentucky films, the In These Hills premiere (!!), a raffle to support @lcrc_climbs , and late night tunes by @itbvrnz and @koti_lefox ! A portion of proceeds from this event will support the Lee County Climbing Center youth programs! Come out for a good time and a good cause. ‼️ PLEASE buy tickets ASAP so we can get a head count on food for Dario. He will appreciate it. Thanks! 🫶 @miguelsclimbshop @organicclimbing @cruxforgedclimbing @redriver_gorgeous_cabinrentals @foxmountainguides #climbsouth #redrivergorgeclimbing #redrivergorge

World-class areas 👌😏 #climbsouth

Lots of left hand lock offs at the @nrac.official Plunder Comp courtesy of @grittypics . 📸🏴‍☠️ #climbsouth #bouldering #newrivergorgeclimbing

T-minus 1 month until the “In These Hills” film debut! This short film explores growing up in the Gorge, finding community in climbing, and bridging the gap between Red locals and climbers. Come join us for a fun night of trivia, films, dinner, drinks, and dancing at the new @miguelsclimbshop . A portion of event proceeds will go to supporting the @lcrc_climbs club. And come say hi at the @rrgcc table to learn more about upcoming events! Go to the @steepsouth bio link to grab your tickets. 📸 @nd_pics photo of @audreysniezek @organicclimbing @cruxforgedclimbing @redriver_gorgeous_cabinrentals @foxmountainguides @qatrivia @ale8one @itbvrnz @countryboylexington #climbsouth #redrivergorgeclimbing #rrgcc #bestofthered

Rumble 2026 was a success with so many strong competitors! Including crusher @itsstilloctober pictured here traversing through Gimme Three Steps (5.12a). 📸 @paul_w_phillips #climbsouth #tradisrad #rumblingbald #flashfoxy #climbnc

Today is Steep South’s 9th birthday. 🎂🎉 Nine years ago I started this page to gain an audience in hopes of someday creating a regional magazine about Southeast climbing. But after posting a blog on the website, I realized people were rarely reading the articles. This was around the same time a lot of major climbing publications were going under. So I turned to film and worked with different teams to make short films about Southeast climbing land access and conservation, with proceeds from the screenings going to the affiliated nonprofit. This year I pivoted to tell a more “human” story about local and climber dynamics in the Red River Gorge. Visual storytelling isn’t an easy feat. It takes a village to make it happen. And similar to projecting a route, it’s a constant learning process with lots of failures before the final result. I’m so grateful @aislynn._ , @s_crabby_10 , and @audreysniezek were willing to share their stories for this upcoming film. And a huge thank you to @mariorstan and @nd_pics for making “In These Hills” come alive with their filmmaking skills. See it on the big screen April 18 at Miguel’s! I never imagined this is what celebrating 9 years of an instagram hype page would look like. I’m so thankful for all the creatives and climbers who made this dream happen. And everyone who’s followed along. ♥️ With love, Elaine 📸 @nd_pics photo of @aislynn._ in her element on Last Rites (5.12b) at the Red #climbsouth #redrivergorgeclimbing #climbingfilmtour #girlswhoclimb #miguelspizza

✔️Films ✔️Food & drinks ✔️Dancing ✔️Trivia What more could you ask for?! Get your tickets for an evening of fun at @miguelsclimbshop . We can’t wait to show our new film and celebrate with y’all! Thank you to our event sponsors ♥️ @cruxforgedclimbing @redriver_gorgeous_cabinrentals @organicclimbing @foxmountainguides @ale8one @countryboybrewing @qatrivia #climbsouth #redrivergorgeclimbing #climbingfilms #bestofthered #climbing