Guidebook for West Virginia. Eric Horst guidebook best for the area?

Can anyone that has the Horst guidebook 'Rock climbing Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland 2nd ed.' comment on it's usefulness? I've been to Seneca Rocks before and relied on the Barnes book which I found to be a challenge.

Thanks,

The Horst/Falcon book is really an overview only - not enough specific detail for any area, and it's quite dated (13+ years old now, I think) to boot.

If you're only passing through the area for a brief stop, then it might be worth it, but if you'll be making repeat trips to the various crags you're better off getting dedicated guide books.

The Barnes book for Seneca is not up to the modern standards of guidebooks but I've never had any issues finding specific climbs, once I've got my general orientation (which peak/which aspect am I on?) down.

Yeah the Horst guide is great to know about a lot of different area crags, but not a great guide for any of them. Barnes is probably the best seneca guide out or just ask at the guide service in town. The horst book is cool if you live in VA and are looking for close crags to spend the day at. If you are going to NRG buy the guide its the best guide I've ever used

Just as a note, I'm pretty sure there is a new Seneca guidebook coming out so you might want to hold off on buying the Barnes book.

I was at the Gendarme last season and they weren't selling the Barnes 2nd ed. anymore in preparation for the new book. I don't really have any other details. I Googled a bit and couldn't find anything so I could be completely wrong.

*EDIT*
I just realized that you mentioned you already had the Barnes book. Either way this info might be useful I guess.

if youre going to climb in WV, climb in the new....if you climb in the new buy the NRG guidebook by mikey williams

Thanks for the replies. I have the NRG guide and it is indeed fabulous. I think I'll be at the New again over easter. I was mainly wondering whether or not the Horst guide was recommended for Seneca and other areas like Old Rag. Alex, I also remember reading that a new edition of the Barnes guide was due to come out soon, but I also can't find any info aside from:
climbing.com/route/numbers-…

at the bottom it states a new guide is/was expected late 2013.

I think Eric's guide is fine for getting you to Old Rag and Seneca. If you haven't been there before, his guide will give you plenty to do.

Tony asked for some new route info a few months ago based on a deadline so I suspect his new edition is coming out soon.