The Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition was organized in November, 1996 as a local climber’s advocacy group to protect climbing at the Red. Rock climbing in the Red River Gorge area had originally occurred primarily on the public lands of Daniel Boone National Forest and was therefore subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service. In 1996 the Forest Service issued for the first time ever a Rock Climbing Management Guide for the Red River area. This guide, or RCMG, was viewed by climbers as Draconian in nature and short-sighted, fixating almost exclusively on the placement of safety bolts. As a direct result of the issuance of the RCMG, two local climbers decided to form a climbers’ coalition to champion climbers’ interests and to try to improve relations between the Forest Service and climbers. Their main concern was two-fold, re-writing the RCMG to include climbers’ input and thereby “improving” it and educating and empowering climbers to ensure the long-term future of climbing.
Today the RRGCC has grown to a several hundred member-strong, all volunteer, advocacy group that continues to work with the Forest Service on ensuring access to climbing in the Daniel Boone National Forest. The Coalition has also expanded its efforts to include working with the Natural Bridge Kentucky State Resort Park, and many local private land owners as well. The RRGCC’s main focus has been from its inception, protection and promotion of responsible climbing. This goal has taken many forms, from building environmentally friendly climber trails to popular crags, to articles in its quarterly newsletter on top-rope safety. Climbing continues to grow in popularity and change, and so do the issues surrounding it. For people to continue to enjoy the freedom to climb on public and private land, innovative and creative solutions will have to be sought. On February 7, 2000 the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition and the U.S. Forest Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding, The signing of this MOU represents a significant breakthrough for Red River Gorge climbers and the Forest Service after years of skepticism, mistrust, and alienation.
Please remember, we are all good-will ambassadors for the sport. Climbers will always have to be vigil about their climbing. If we do not protect it, no one else will. Climbing is not a right, it is a privilege we enjoy at the discretion of others.
