red river gorge climbers' coalition

Wolverine Publishing and Ray Ellington’s iPhone Guidebook App to the Red River Gorge guidebook is on iTunes. As if you need any more reason to pick it up, fifty cents from each full version of the app will be donated to the RRGCC. The app works on the iPhone and iPod touch and helps improve your image and karma at the same time! Ok, maybe not really, but you’ll have to admit it’s pretty slick and with some of the cash going to help save the climbs it documents, can you really pass it up? It’s also available in a free Lite version showcasing Roadside and Drive-By Crags. Check out the video below for a full run-through for a preview of some of the things the app can do.

Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14, the PMRP will be hosting the 2nd annual U-Climb event, a climbing event meant to educate climbers about climbing safety and ethics. The groups will have top-ropes up on virtually every beginner climb in the PMRP. While we apologize that this might affect your plans, please know that the event goes a long way to securing your climbing now and into the future.

The UClimb groups will be holding clinics at the following walls. Please plan around their presence.

The Shire
Left Field
The Playground
Chica Bonita
Volunteer Wall
The Gallery (the right side)
Gold Coast/Solar Collector (the right side)

UClimb and the event organizers, Mountain Gear, have long been supporters of the RRGCC and the PMRP purchase. In addition to sizable donations that go toward the annual mortgage, the UClimb event emphasizes the importance of responsible climbing ethics. One of the major tenants of these ethics is a commitment to and support of local climbing organizations.

If you were planning on doing some easy sport climbs, please consider visiting Muir Valley, Roadside, and Pistol Ridge all have a good assortment of them. Search the redriverclimbing.com online guidebook for others if these crags don’t sound appealing.

We had a great turnout for this year’s Johnny and Alex Trail Day. No official head count, but we are guesstimating there were about 65 people out doing hard labor this year. The amount of work and the quality of that work is truly remarkable!

Major work was accomplished at the popular crag known as The Shire where two existing trails were closed and replaced with a new trail that also reroutes access to the popular 5.11 “Amarillo Sunset”. The base of this crag was also shored up with landscaping timbers and logs. A new trail was built to the North 40 crag. Climbers wanting to go from The Shire to North 40 are asked to go back down to the main trail instead of shortcutting across the drainage. A new trail was also built at Drive-by crag that replaces the old steep stairs from the road. Finally, a mountain biking loop was completed from the Sore Heel Parking lot that provides another form of human powered recreation on the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve.
We want to thank everyone who came out and made this happen, as well as our generous sponsors!

	It wasn't all hard work. Photo: Wes Allen

All pictures courtesy of Wes Allen.

Save the date of October 10-12 to attend Rocktoberfest 2008! The RRGCC and its sponsors are bringing a sampling of upcoming climbing videos, climbing-clinics conducted by world-class athletes, climbing competitions, outstanding prizes and give-aways from our sponsors, live music and as much entertainment as you can handle.  All proceeds will go straight to the RRGCC and help us secure the mortgage for the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve (PMRP).  If you don’t know about the PMRP, check here.

***Pre-Registration will be open soon so please check back so you can have the chance to win schwag by inviting people.. details to follow.

Until supplies last, Phillip Galls and Keen are hosting a fundraiser for the RRGCC. If you purchase a pair of Keen shoes at Phillip Galls, $20 of your purchase will go to the RRGCC. This applies only to select colors so hurry in before they sell out! Please see a store specialist for details.

This fundraiser is on top of a grant recently given in April by Phillip Galls and Patagonia that reeled in $1125 for the RRGCC. This grant was also given to the RRGCC in 2007 and was nominated by Benchmark Outfitters in Cincinnati. Phillip Galls is an outdoor outfitter recently acquired by Benchmark Outfitters in Cincinnati.

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.