Rocktoberfest 2018 - Photo by @wilkinsonvisual - www.wilkinsonvisual.com

History of the Red River Gorge Climbers' Coalition

JUN 2022

The RRGCC published the Developer MOU and Route Submission form which provides guidelines of bolting best practices as well as documents development on RRGCC property.

NOV 2021

RRGCC sent the final mortgage check to Access Fund for the BRRP, securing permanent access to the Motherlode, Chocolate Factory, and more!

JUL 2021

The RRGCC expanded and improved the Motherlode parking lot and added the second vault toilet to its property to help mitigage climber impact to the environment.

DEC 2020

With the help of a grant from the Access Fund & Eastern Kentucky University an updated economic impact study was conducted by Dr. Maples & Dr. Bradly which found climbers spend an estimated $8.7 million in the regional economy annually with over 102,000 climber visits per year.

OCT 2019

The RRGCC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the USFS  formalizing our partnership moving forward as it pertains to improving access, trail projects, natural resource education, and mitigating climber impact.

OCT 2018

The RRGCC publically announced the opening of Camelot, a sustainably developed climbing area in the MFRP, boasting an impressive collection of moderate routes.

MAR 2018

The RRGCC made an $80k payment, with help from a Conservation Alliance $40k matching grant, on the BRRP!

OCT 2017

The RRGCC paid off the MFRP mortgage!

SEP 2017

Granted Conservation and Recreation Easements for all RRGCC properties to the Access Fund, guaranteeing climbing in perpetuity.

DEC 2016

Purchased the Bald Rock Recreational Preserve (BRRP), securing access to world renowned climbing at the Motherlode, Chocolate Factory, Bear's Den, and Unlode.

OCT 2016

The RRGCC received a $2,500 Cornerstone Conservation Grant from the American Alpine Club to help curb erosion, train future land stewards, re-vegetate the forest, and build belay bases at the Gallery.

MAY 2013

Purchased the Miller Fork Recreational Preserve, securing 309 acres for rock climbing.

OCT 2012

The RRGCC paid off the PMRP mortgage!

JUNE 2010

The RRGCC and Access Fund get together to refinance the remaining mortgage, saving the RRGCC approximately $10k!

JAN 2006

The RRGCC officially obtained 501(c)(3) not-for-profit status from the IRS, gaining tax exemption.

APR 2004

The United States Forest Service banned bolting in the Red River Gorge geological area located within Daniel Boone National Forest.

MAR 2004

RRGCC formally renamed the Murray property the "Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve," or the PMRP.

FEB 2004

The RRGCC obtained a temporary restraining order against Charmane Oil Co. compelling them to stop blocking access and towing cars.

JAN 2004

The RRGCC made climbing history on January 20, 2004 through the purchase of 750 acres from Mattie Murray, securing one of the largest climber owned properties in the country!

OCT 2003

Charmane Oil Co. blocked climber access to Murray property, towing cars for an extenuating time.

SEP 2002

The RRGCC obtained an option to purchase the Murray property on September 25, 2002.

FEB 2000

The RRGCC and US Forest Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on February 7, 2000.

1998

RRGCC President, Hugh Loeffler, obtained express permission for climbing on the Murray property.

1996

The RRGCC is formed in response to USFS "Climbing Management Guide" to negotiate lifting the bolting moratorium.

1994

Southern exposure: climbers establish first sport climbing routes in the "Southern Region."

1969

The first known trad routes in the Red were established by Ron Stokley, Dieter Britz, and Bob Stokes.

1963

Mattie Murray inherits the D.B. Pendergrass property.

1950s-60s

The first known climbing in the Red River Gorge was said to be at Caver's Route, used by spelunkers training caving technique.

1908

Tracts of Land: Daniel Boone Pendergrass purchases two tracts of land in Lee County, Kentucky, one along Bald Rock Fork and one in Coal Bank Hollow. These lands are now the PMRP.

Our Properties

BRRP

102 acres. Over 300 routes.

MFRP

309 acres. Over 550 routes.

PMRP

750 acres. Over 600 routes.