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March 19, 2025 50 mins

I just got back from the incredible Red River Gorge and walked away with a new appreciation for the world class climbing there. When I was paging through the guidebook, one name kept popping up: Chris Snyder. Chris was deeply involved in the golden days of development of the Red, and he’s joining me today to share the history of the storied and beloved crag. 


We’ll talk about his first impression when he and his group came across the Motherlode for the first time. Then, he’ll share how they secured access to develop at the location, the history of the area, and the mechanics of bolting at the Red. 


Plus, Chris will share his pet peeves at the crag and his advice for aging climbers. 


Follow Chris Snyder on Instagram at @lordcaffeine 


Red River Gorge Resources: 

The Red: Comprehensive Sport Climbing Crags of the Red River Gorge 

Miguel’s Pizza



Join us over on the First Ascent Patreon. For $5, $7 or $10 a month, you’ll get access to wide ranging bonus content from greats like Mark Hudon, Scott Stevenson and many more. Plus you’ll get a Discord chat, exclusive beta, route info, and more. Check it out here:  https://www.patreon.com/FirstAscentPodcast


Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay can be found at @jayknower




Disclaimer: 

The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.


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