Rock Climbing Santa Barbara & Ventura [Paperback]

Steve Edwards (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1560446870 | ISBN-13: 978-1560446873 | Publication Date: March 1, 2000 | Edition: 1st

Santa Barbara and Ventura counties have long been known as sublime tourist areas, but the rock climbing and bouldering along the California's south-central coast are just beginning to attract the attention they richly deserve. From the sweeping walls of the Echo Cliffs to the awesome overhangs at the Owl Tor, from classic problems at Painted Cave to the vast boulderfields atop Pine Mountain, the many routes and boulder problems described in this book will appeal to a wide range of tastes and abilities. Written by one of the area's leading activists, Rock Climbing Santa Barbara and Ventura provides first-hand information to more than 50 scenic and uncrowded climbing areas not to be left off your tick-list.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Santa Barbara and Ventura counties have long been known as sublime tourist areas, but the rock climbing and bouldering along the California's south-central coast are just beginning to attract the attention they richly deserve. From the sweeping walls of the Echo Cliffs to the awesome overhangs at the Owl Tor, from classic problems at Painted Cave to the vast boulderfields atop Pine Mountain, the many routes and boulder problems described in this book will appeal to a wide range of tastes and abilities. Written by one of the area's leading activists, Rock Climbing Santa Barbara and Ventura provides first-hand information to more than 50 scenic and uncrowded climbing areas not to be left off your tick-list.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Falcon; 1st edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560446870
• ISBN-13: 978-1560446873
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #909,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is not a review, March 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rock Climbing Santa Barbara & Ventura (Paperback)

I am the author of this title and didn't know where else to submit corrected info. The book is called: Rock Climbing: Santa Barbara & Ventura

220 pages

The guide features over one thousand routes and boulder problems along California's central coast from the outskirts of Los Angeles to the wine country north of Santa Barbara.

I have a jpg of the cover that I will send to you if you email me at: [e-mail]

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The definitive climbing guide for the Central Coast!, March 28, 2000

By 

"castlesb" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rock Climbing Santa Barbara & Ventura (Paperback)

Whether served up with a tray of Bombay Sapphire martinis (shaken, two olives) or a six-pack of ice cold Oly, let this text be your companion to some of the best and most scenic climbing areas in America! Looking for steep, gargantuan sport routes that make your tendons twitch just looking at 'em? How about classic sandstone slabs with holds so fragile they may break if you merely pass gas? Or maybe you're into divine boulderfields so vast that first ascents are possible until Jesus comes back to spot you? This book has it covered. Steve Edwards has done a first class job of directing you in entertaining fashion to the climbing, history, and lifestyle that Santa Barbara climbing is all about. Read it over coffee and cigarettes not just as a guide, but as fine literature. It's better than 'Atlas Shrugged', and shorter too!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Climber's Tool and Literature, August 16, 2002

By 

TED CAIS (Santa Barbara, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rock Climbing Santa Barbara & Ventura (Paperback)

Steve Edwards' book was my first purchase as an avid rockclimber when I visited Santa Barbara in January 2002 to prepare for my transfer to the area. Even before using the guide to locate the local climbing I enjoyed it immensely for the history and personal flavor given by the author.

There is much more to this book than a climbing guide. It is also a personal pilgrimage. Steve experienced a golden era in Santa Barbara climbing that he describes so vividly yet knows has passed forever. His is the passion of a personal life transition that we all go through and there is both joy and sadness in the writing. His obsessive intensity and endurance for physical training is mirrored by an affection for caffeine, alcohol and nicotine that make him such an interesting character. Steve is also a movie connoisseur from his early days running a video shop in the student quarter (Isla Vista) next to UCSB and he blends this knowledge with climb descriptions for occasional flashes of brilliant humor. And I should refrain from commenting on the Reverend Speefknarkle! Steve's defining picture is buffed and honed on "Pieces of You" atop the fantastic Pine Mountain boulderfield.

The book fulfills its primary purpose as a tool for guiding the climber in locating and selecting appealing routes exceptionally well. My copy is already dogeared and marked up with yellow highlights after just one season and it has never led me astray. Only rarely have I disagreed with the grades Steve gives for difficulty and quality but this is to be expected for these subjective ratings.

In summary, this book is a must buy for any climber interested in the Santa Barbara - Ventura region yet it has deeper appeal as literature capturing one man's personal journey through the 90's. How we all wish to turn back the hands of time!