Name: Kenny Ray Barker

Age: 25

Hometown: Columbus, OH

In it: 9 ½ years

The Local: Red River Gorge, Kentucky

Memorable Ticks: Captain Fantastic (5.13c), Virgin River Gorge; Dracula ’04 (5.13b), Red River Gorge; Deep Puddle Dynamics (V9), RMNP; The Orb (V8), Rocktown; Tunnel Vision (5.7), Red Rocks

Dream Trip: None; lots of places would be interesting to go to though…

The Five-Year Goal: Take a long road trip, climbing as much as possible. Following this, buy a house and take over the family business

The Insider:
When first I met Kenny five years ago, he looked like a prison escapee: tall and lanky with a shaved head and bright orange pants. He’d just flown off a problem at the local gym. Cursing loudly, he hurled a cheap plastic chair, shattering it. I never would’ve guessed I’d one day call him my boyfriend.

What I’d then interpreted as psychosis was really just part of Kenny’s intense passion: for climbing, his friends, and the community. For example, he once dressed like a woman and waited tables at Red River Outdoors to pay for gear someone stole from his Jeep (so glad his leg hair grew back). Then there were the marathon days he spent organizing a competition to raise money for Jeremy, his best friend who’d been seriously injured in a car accident (and that’s not counting the hours he spent by Jeremy’s bedside while he was in a coma). The routes Kenny has established are among the most popular in the Red River Gorge. In the gym, he motivates locals with his skillful and creative setting.

No slouch on the wall, Kenny’s redpoints top out around 5.13d and V11, with 5.13a and V8 flashes. He’ll never tell you this, though; Kenny is humble to a fault.

I guess the most important thing about Kenny is that he’s the most sincere, generous person I know: always the first to brush holds or stick-clip a first bolt for someone. He often lets traveling climbers crash in his camper (though all are required to watch Grandma’s Boy at least four times during their stay). He even gave up most of his fall season to accompany me to the Triple Crown comps, despite having his own projects waiting.

Passionate, strong, selfless… there’s no one I’d rather have belaying, spotting, or by my side. In a word, Kenny is remarkable.
- JULIA SMITH