All Locations > Kentucky > Red River Gorge > Muir Valley > Solarium

Chimera

Name: Chimera
Rating: 4.0

5.12c/d YDS 7c French 28 Ewbanks IX UIAA 28 ZA E6 6b British

Routes in The Solarium

L › R R › L A › Z

	Abiyoyo S 5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
	Air Ride Equipped S 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
	Banshee S 5.11c 6c+ 24 VIII- 24 E4 6a
	Bundle of Joy S 5.13a 7c+ 29 IX+ 29 E6 6c
	Chimera S 5.12c/d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b
	Delicatessen S 5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a
	Galunlati S 5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
	Helios S 5.13b/c 8a+ 29 X- 30 E7 6c
	Magnum Opus S 5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
	Manifest Destiny S 5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
	Mirage S 5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
	So Long Mr. Petey S 5.12c 7b+ 27 IX- 27 E6 6b
	Summer Sunshine S 5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
	Super Best Friends S 5.12a/b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6a
	Urban Voodoo S 5.12d 7c 28 IX 28 E6 6b

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Type:	Sport, 95 ft (29 m)
GPS:	37.73372, -83.63884
FA:	E. Kloeker, 2025
Page Views:	280 total · 123/month
Shared By:	DrRockso RRG on Dec 9, 2025
Admins:	Shirtless Mike, DrRockso RRG, Luke Cornejo, Billy Simek Page Updates (admin only)

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Explore this route in 3D

Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Access Issue: Land Owned by Muir Valley Nature Preserve Details

Officially known as Muir Valley Climbing Area and a Nature Preserve, Muir Valley is one of Red River Gorge's crown jewels. Originally the area was privately owned by Rick and Liz Weber, but in March 2015 the Webers gifted the land to the non-profit Friends of Muir Valley (FOMV), a 501(c)3 organization. FOMV is now 100% responsible for the ownership, in addition to funding and up-keeping the property.
The valley is home to more than 30 separate climbing walls, all open to climbers at no charge, a $15 fee is charged per car for parking to offset maintenance costs.

Some important rules must be followed to ensure future access and enjoyment by all. A complete list can be found at muirvalley.org/tabs/#pills-1 , but the most important are listed below:

All climbers must fill out a legal release form before climbing. muirvalley.org/waiver/ ;
The parking lot described in the directions below is the only permitted parking. Do not park on private drives.
No dogs are allowed in Muir Valley (nor left in your car in the parking lot.)
No hammocks are allowed to be hung/used in Muir Valley.

Description

A new route at the Solarium!? Shocking, I know. This line follows an entirely unique path with excellent, engaging movement. True to its namesake, it’s a hybrid beast: thin, technical climbing on the first half gives way to the steep, pumpy power-endurance you expect from the Solarium on the second.

Relatively easy climbing off the ground leads to a mantle into the early hueco. From a big shelf jug on the right side of the roof, move straight out the center of the hole to some fine crimping for a bolt, setting up for a decisive crux on a shallow scoop with a micro-edge. Arrange yourself how you wish before hucking to an accuracy-dependent stab pocket just below a small roof. Another bolt or two of engaging climbing brings you to a kneebar rest, take what you can here, before tackling the classic Solarium headwall on relatively bigger holds. Don’t be a punter and blow it up top!