red river gorge climbers' coalition

From time to time the RRGCC has need of various items. Since we try to spend as much of every dollar raised towards the payment, we’re hoping that perhaps some of you may have extras lying around and can donate them (or if you’d like to purchase them, that’s fine too!). We’ll keep this list updated by crossing items off as we receive them, so please check back often.

Items we could use right now include:

- 9×12 envelopes with peel-off sticking
– A file cabinet with a lock.
– Work Gloves
– Clip Boards
– Letter sized Hanging File Folders
– Non-hanging file folders (the kind with the tab at the top)
– Walkie Talkies
– scissors
– bags to put schwag in
– yellow or orange or florescent spray paint
– white xmas tree lights
– extension cords
– triple A batteries
– 9×12 envelopes
– Stamps at current rate
– Address labels
– Sign sticks
– office chair

If you have donations, please contact Josephine at josephine.neff+rrgccdonations (gmail) or post a comment here.

On Saturday, February 7, 2009 the RRGCC Board of Directors held elections for directors and for officers for 2009. Dwight Bradburn, Charlie Rittenberry, and Morgain Sprague were all reelected to a second, three year term on the Board. Bentley Brackett and Hugh Loeffler were voted on as new Board members. Dr. Bob Matheny and Mark Jackson both retired from Board service. “Dr. Bob” has served six years on the RRGCC Board and for the last three years as RRGCC President. Mark, though retiring from Board service, will continue on as Property Manager for the RRGCC owned Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve (PMRP). In the officer elections, Charlie Rittenberry was elected to the position of President and Morgain Sprague was elected to the position of Vice-President. Paul Vidal was reelected to the position of Secretary and Dwight Bradburn was reelected to the position of Treasurer.


Our thanks go out to Bob and Mark for their service on the Board. The work of both of these gentlemen has been instrumental in further securing the PMRP. Our congratulations and thanks also go out to the reelected Board members, new Board members, and officers for 2009. After the elections were completed the RRGCC conducted a 2009 planning meeting followed by a party held at Torrent Falls Resort. The results of the planning meeting will be announced in a subsequent post.

Some important details for the Saturday 2/7/2009 RRGCC meeting. The main purpose of the afternoon meeting, in addition to BOD and officer elections, will be operational planning for 2009. 

Initial internal task items such as officer elections and internal BOD business will be handled in a closed Executive Session starting at 1:00, so the meeting will only be open to BOD and Executive Director for the first part of the session. 

Operational planning should then begin around 2:30. If your volunteer interest is to participate in a trail day or help during an event, don’t worry about the afternoon session, just come to the party. In the afternoon meeting, however, we would welcome people interested in volunteering to help in important areas such as database management, newsletter production, pre-event preparation, development of printed materials, etc. In other words, if you show up for the afternoon meeting, expect to take on the responsibility for completing specific tasks. 

Please RSVP if you are going to attend the afternoon session or if you are just coming to the evening party so we can get an idea of the number of people to be prepared for.

Today we’re rolling out a new look for the RRGCC – a completely revamped rrgcc.org.

A few of the new things we hope you’ll appreciate:

• Comment on announcements. In the spirit of community, submit your feedback to announcements and events.
• Email articles. See an article you think your friend should know about? Click the envelop at the bottom of the article.
• RSS Feeds. Want to be up on the latest from the RRGCC about access, events, or the deals with our partners? Just subscribe to our RSS Feed (also linked in the upper right of the page).
• Mailing list signup. Not into RSS Feeds? Sign up for the mailing list to get pertinent emails about events and access.
• Calendar of Events. Check out the new calendar that will give you glance at what’s coming up and recent activity on the site.
• More yet to come..

So check it out, subscribe to the feeds, and stay up to date.. and, when you get a chance, support us and our sponsors to help with the 2009 PMRP payment.

Thanks and climb on..

This event occurred October 31, 2006 and is kept here for reference. If you’re looking for current and upcoming events, please click here.

Rocktoberfest 2006 was a resounding success despite the frigid temps. With over 300 attendees, five stellar clinics, Reelrock movie premier, Jason Kehl’s slideshow, entertaining dyno comp, terrific bluegrass band, tasty food and even a surprise appearance by a fabulous fire juggler, a good time was had by all. Special thanks to our incredible volunteers and sponsors for making our event one of the most successful to date!<br><br>

Friday night began at Miguel’s Pizza with the Reelrock movie premier of First Ascent and Dosage IV. Climbers walked behind Miguel’s pizza to the glow of a cozy field lit by numerous tiki torches to sit on hay bales placed in a theater-style arrangement; care of Dario Ventura, Morgan Burton and the Miguel’s crew. Petzl offered Red Bull and Vodka for refreshments and Chris Hampton announced the movie. First Ascent was a huge hit during which the crowd was totally animated. Dosage IV was similarly well-received and ran into the night. Those climbers who were unable to view the video hung out around the fire, which was occasionally visited by Jason Kehl.
Saturday began with outdoor sunrise yoga…somewhat delayed due to heavy frost. Yoga Sanga provided quality instruction to the rising sun. Janet Cain of Hug-a-Pup training shared her knowledge with climbers on how to train their crag dogs. Next year, she wants to come to the crag and work with owners to see how dogs behave in the real climbing world. Arno Ilgner graciously provided his Rockclimbing the Warrior’s Way clinic free of charge and Wes Allen showed aspiring photogs how to snap a captivating picture of climbers. Then Rocktoberfest took a break..sort of.

Saturday night was Mark’s Barbeque and Jason Kehl. Climbers ate dinner then gathered beneath the cliffline to learn about Jason’s adventures and hear of the sad loss of Billy. Jason was gracious and humble happily conversing with climbers all weekend on subjects ranging from rockclimbing to true bourbon…only from Kentucky. His slideshow proved to be one of the most entertaining and innovative presentations climbers have seen.

The dyno comp occurred after the slideshow and had a little bit of everything. Chris Hampton kept up the energy announcing contests, throwing schwag and generally harassing the contestants. Kasia Pietras styled her way to win the women’s dyno. Trevor Sutherland showed much skill reserving his flare for the final dynos in the men’s comp. John Schrader had the best fan club by far! But Nick Redinger was the surprise standout dynoing in his lime green underwear…and being smacked off the top hold by local troll, Matt Massey. All of these antics ensued to the wonderful bluegrass tunes of an outstanding bluegrass band…no name folks, please.

Our greatest surprise was a fire juggler from California. Withstanding thirty degree temps without a shirt and a rather brief heckle, Derek juggled fire batons, balanced them uncomfortably while performing minor contortions and generally amused, awed and stole the closing show.

Sunday morning began with our second round of morning yoga. Rocktoberfest closed with two wonderful clinics. Katie Brown taught a girl’s climbing clinic. Bold women took serious whippers, learned to lead belay and one climber who had never even lead a 5.10 mustered up the courage with the women’s support to lead Bandolier, a breakthrough 5.11. Bart Bledsoe taught an aid climbing clinic showing a group how to place pins to hold weight and quality aid technique with Matt Massey and Blake Bowling’s assistance.

Thanks to one and all for an amazing weekend.

You are invited to help the RRGCC have another successful year by participating in our 2008 strategic planning process. This process will kick-off in a meeting at Torrent Falls, KY from 1 pm to 4 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2008. Climbers who have volunteered for the RRGCC in the past or intend to be involved as volunteers this year are especially encouraged to come to this meeting. The RRGCC has a strong history of strategic planning and has a well developed vision, mission, and strategy for securing climbing access. In the January 20th meeting we will review what was accomplished in 2007, what our current issues are, and what goals and strategies we will pursue in 2008. Please RSVP to the RRGCC’s Executive Director, Bill Strachan, bill(at)rrgcc.org, if you will be attending the January 20th meeting. Please e-mail Bill even if you cannot attend this meeting, but are interested in being involved in the strategic planning process.
Prior to the strategic planning meeting on January 20th, the RRGCC will be holding a Board of Directors meeting from 11:00 am to Noon during which the Board will elect officers for 2008. The Board meeting is also open to the public.