Ep. 76: Miguel’s Pizza & Red River Gorge Climbing

Sometimes the best things in life just happen. No plan or strategy.  Just going with the flow. This is the story of how a little pizza shop in Slade, Kentucky became an institution in the rock climbing world and the center of the climbing community in the Red River Gorge. 

 

In this episode, we sit down with Miguel's son, Dario Ventura, to delve into the history of his family coming to the area and starting what is now both a great pizza place and a resort for rock climbers. Dario grew up at Miguel's so he has the perspective of seeing it grow from a tiny shack to what it is today, with camping, cottage rentals, a climbing store, and the ability to cook 60 pizzas at once.

 

Dario is also a rock climber himself so we get into how he got into it and what life was like growing up surrounded by rock climbers. The Red River Gorge is home to thousands of routes so if you want to sport or trad climb there is an endless supply of routes on featured sandstone. From beginners to elite climbers there is something for everyone. If you love climbing and are looking for an amazing place to go then a stay at Miguel's.  Pizza must be on your list and discover Dario's new restaurant, Red Point BBQ. 

 

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Show Notes: 

• Miguel's Pizza https://www.miguelspizza.com/ 
• Miguel's Rock Climbing Shop https://www.miguelsrockclimbingshop.com/
• Migue's Pizza Camping and Cabins - Red River Gorge Retreats https://redrivergorgeretreats.com/campground-terms-and-conditions/ 
  RedPoint BBQ https://www.facebook.com/redpointrrg/
• Red River Gorge on Mountain Project https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105841134/red-river-gorge
• Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition https://rrgcc.org/ 

More Climbing Podcasts:

• Ep. 10: Eric Sigurdson – The Zen of Climbing
• Ep. 11: Cody Bradford – TechTipTuesday, Climbing Guide and Mountain Culture Tips and Philosophy 
• Ep. 24: Gus Alexandropoulos, Ontario Climbing – The History and Politics of Climbing in Ontario 
• Ep. 49: Ethan Salvo – Obsessed with the Rock (Canada’s Rising Boulderer) 

• Ep. 50: Ontario Climber Reg Smart – How Passion Finds a Way 

• Ep. 75:  The Nooks - Ontario's Newest Bouldering Region - Brendan Baars