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Elevation: 1,117 ft 340 m
GPS: 37.67874, -83.73759
Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views: 58,334 total · 272/month
Shared By: Monomaniac on Dec 19, 2008
Admins: Shirtless Mike, DrRockso RRG, Luke Cornejo, Billy Simek

Description Suggest change

The Dark Side is a steep, pocketed wall of dark gray sandstone, similar in character to the Motherlode. Boasting the second largest concentration of 5.13 sport routes at the Red, the Dark Side is a great place to find a good project. Additionally, the crag features a number of excellent 5.12s of every grade. The options are limited in the 5.11 & below range, but there are a handful of moderates if warming up on 12a is not your thing.

The routes here are extremely steep, some of the steepest at the Red, climbing a bulging wall at a nearly constant 45 degree angle. Several body-sized huecos provide great rests on some lines, while other lines are more sustained. The cliff faces north, so receives all-day shade, making this a good option on warmer days. Also, the vast majority of the lines here stay dry in the rain.

Getting There Suggest change

From KY 11, take Fixer Rd, then take the first left. Follow this windy, paved road for a while, and continue as the road turns to dirt, passing a few houses. These roads are passable when wet. After ~1 mile of dirt, turn right onto another dirt road opposite an oil tank. Stay left, then park at an obvious RRGCC kiosk. Behind the kiosk, locate a trail that crosses the creek. Follow the trail for ~10 minutes, passing signed turn-offs to the Gold Coast & Solar Collector. Switch-back up the steep hill to the cliff, and head right when you first reach the rock. The first route encountered is "Grippy Green", 12a, which begins up a 20-foot-tall, 6"-deep, left-leaning dihedral.

36 Total Climbs

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Location: The Dark Side Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at The Dark Side

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 92
Small Fry
Sport
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 102
Padawan
Sport
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 47
Count Dooku
Sport
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 5
Praestantissimum
Sport
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a
 36
Grippy Green
Sport
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
 88
American Dream
Sport
5.12c/d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 34
Shanghai
Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 45
Tuskan Raider
Sport
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
 24
Mind Meld
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 89
The Force
Sport
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
 12
Evil Emperor
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 14
Straight Outta Campton
Sport
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c
 32
Elephant Man
Sport
5.13b/c 8a+ 29 X- 30 E7 6c
 17
Return of Darth Moll
Sport
5.13d 8b 31 X 32 E8 7a
 9
Swingline
Sport
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Small Fry
 92
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport
Padawan
 102
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport
Count Dooku
 47
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Sport
Praestantissimum
 5
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport
Grippy Green
 36
5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a Sport
American Dream
 88
5.12b/c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b Sport
Shanghai
 34
5.12c/d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
Tuskan Raider
 45
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
Mind Meld
 24
5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b Sport
The Force
 89
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Evil Emperor
 12
5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c Sport
Straight Outta Campton
 14
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
Elephant Man
 32
5.13b 8a 29 IX+ 30 E7 6c Sport
Return of Darth Moll
 17
5.13b/c 8a+ 29 X- 30 E7 6c Sport
Swingline
 9
5.13d 8b 31 X 32 E8 7a Sport
More Classic Climbs in The Dark Side »

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