Customer Reviews

Rock Climbing Santa Barbara & Ventura

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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: mannyvarjak@hotmail.com

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!

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!

Many climbs listed in this book are written from an expert's perspective, and pertinent details for the rest of us apparently nominal climbers is omitted. Eg, beware that many of the bolted routes listed don't have any pro for 25-30', with no option for hexes, nuts, cams, etc for augment. Some of the routes listed are given low ratings, but upon looking over the many of the routes upon arrival my initial thought was "Who actually climbs that?"
Also, don't get this expecting very much detail about where you are going...many of the reference pics are just poor-to-no quality drawings, with very little description of the routes themselves. If anything, with a little margin for error you can nail down locations, but take everything else with a grain of salt.
If you are in the SB area and don't want to wait/pay for shipping, the SB travel store just off of State to the west stocks this for the same price, plus you can support something local. Or keep an eye out for something a little more informative...the author makes himself out to be pretty a pretty serious climber and very dedicated to the book, but I have seen much better ("The Voo" is a freaking awesome example).

Overall poor in quality, but possibly worth $15 if you are okay with the fact that regular people just aren't as awesome as the author.

I visit the Santa Barbara area often. So I picked up this book and thumbed through and became intrigued enough to buy it. Not for the rock climbing information (although the personality and names given to each trail had me captivated); instead I became curious to know this philosophical guide writer, Steve Edwards. Formerly thinking all rock climbers were a bunch of daredevils, this guide opened my eyes to the depth of committment it takes to be a rock climber, much less, write a guide! And their love of the earth is more honest and real than most armchair environmentalists. Reading this book definitely helped me grow. I hope you will read it and then go hug a rock - and maybe even a rockclimber!