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:

- 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
– office chair

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

The RRGCC will be celebrating its 9th Annual Rocktoberfest in Slade, Kentucky on October 9th, 10th, & 11th, 2009. Rocktoberfest is a weekend long climbers’ gathering and party that raises money for the the RRGCC’s purchase of the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve (PMRP). This 9th Annual RRGCC Rocktoberfest will again feature the Reel Rock Film Tour, climbing competitions, vendor booths, music, food, and clinics taught by professional climbing athletes. Stay tuned or sign up on our e-mail list (at the top left of the home page) to get updates and registration info.

On Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, Mountain Gear will be presenting its 3rd annual UCLIMB event, on the RRGCC-owned PMRP. UCLIMB is a fun event dedicated to bringing people from across the country closer to the outdoors by learning to climb in a comfortable small-group setting with other amateur climbers. Professional instructors will guide you through the basics of climbing, safety and conservation. This weekend adventure is an ideal introduction to the world of rock climbing. Mountain Gear is a strong supporter of both the PMRP purchase and the RRGCC’s educational mission of promoting responsible climbing.

Come one, come all to the 5th annual John Bronaugh and Alex Yeakley Trail Day, August 1st, 2008. Like in years past we will be depending on the Red River Gorge climbing community to come out and take care of the land you own, the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve (PMRP), in honor of two great men of the Red. We will be building and maintaining trails and, after a hard day’s work, have a great party with music, food, and “beverages” at Lago Linda Hideaway. More details will come so be sure to stay tuned or if you are on Facebook please RSVP on the RRGCC’s JATD event page.

Upcoming Event:

Mike Driskell has graciously offered to head a Spring Trail Day @ Roadside Crag
Saturday, June 13th, 2009
8:00 am till ???
Meet at the Roadside Lot at 8:00 am (please try to carpool as much as possible).
Dress for outdoor work (with optional afternoon and evening climbing apparel).
Tools needed are shovels, picks, pry bars, spades, rakes, loppers, pruners, and trash bags.

Projects include:

1. Relocate start of main trail closer to the parking lot.
2. Install a sign to display the rules for this area.
3. Install more water bars on trail from parking lot up to the base of Roadside Attraction.
4. Build steps where needed.
5. Redo the cribbing at the base of the slab routes.
6. Remove litter.
7. As many other tasks as we can get done!

The route-setters and event coordinators address the competitors to clear up the rules of the comp. Photos: Laura Caporizzo

U of Pitt Raises More Than $1100 to Support the RRGCC

This February, the University of Pittsburgh held a climbing competition to benefit the RRGCC. They’re generosity can’t be understatated, especially when their efforts generated more than $1100 for the Coalition’s annual mission to raise $30,000 for the PMRP mortgage. 

On February 21st, 2009, climbers filled Trees Hall at the University of Pittsburgh’s climbing gym for the final competition in a series of competitions with surrounding universities. For the past several years during the spring semester, Pitt’s climbing wall has been part of this circuit of competitions known as the University Bouldering Series (UBS). This year, the schools that took part in the UBS were: Kent State University, The University of Akron, Youngstown State University, West Virginia University, University of Pittsburgh, and Slippery Rock University. The UBS is not limited to climbers from these participating schools, nor is it limited to student climbers. Competitors at Pitt’s comp were not only from the schools participating in the UBS; some climbers were also representing Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and the Pittsburgh climbing community, along with many other climbing communities. The past two seasons, Pitt has decided to donate all of the proceeds from its bouldering competition to a worthy cause. Last year, Pitt donated their proceeds to Conservacion Patagonica, a cause “dedicated to the protection and restoration of wildland ecosystems and biodiversity in Patagonia.” This year, because several of the event coordinators love and cherish the climbing in the Red River Gorge, it was decided to donate the proceeds to the Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition (RRGCC).

On the day of the comp, competitors started to roll in at 10am and registration lasted until about 11:15am. After registration, all of the climbers were gathered, the rules of the competition were reviewed, and climbing started around 11:30am. The climbers were given 4 hours, until 3:30pm, to climb as many of 66 brand new problems that they could get their hands on.These 66 new problems were set over the 3 days prior to the event by dedicated staff and volunteer setters. Routes were graded based on difficulty, on a scale ranging from 50 to 500 points. The scores of the individual climbers were calculated from the sum of each climber’s 5 best scores. If a climber sent a route on their

After the comp, the WVU crew posed in front of the wall. Photo: Liz Stout collection

1^st go, they were awarded 100% of the points; on their 2^nd go, they were awarded 95.5% of the points; and on their 3^rd attempt or beyond, they were awarded 90.5% of the points. The event drew a crowd of 66 competitors and raised $1,125, all of which was donated to the RRGCC. At the end of the competition, score sheets were turned in to be totaled up. First place in the men’s advanced category went to Matt Caporizzo, of the University of Pennsylvania, with a score of 2144.5 points. Dan Proudfoot from West Virginia University came in a close second, with 2112.3 points. Josh Wilson from Slippery Rock University was able to steal third place with a score of 1841.9 points. First place women’s advanced was taken by Maggie Hamill, a graduate student at West Virginia University, with a score of 1451.4 points. Second place went to Jame Buck, from the University of Pittsburgh, scoring1115.2points. And last but not least, third place women’s advanced went to Helen Moinova, representing an Ohio climbing community, with 1107 points.

A special thanks goes out to all of the sponsors of the event: the Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition, Sterling Ropes, Black Diamond, Redwood Creek Winery, Mountain Hardware, Metolius, Rock Candy Holds, Outdoor Research, and Exkursion Outfitters. The event could not have been such a great success without the support and generosity of these sponsors!

Again, many, many thanks from the Board of Directors, supporters of the RRGCC, and the climbing community as a whole!

[Show as slideshow]

(If your university or organization would like to do something similar, please contact us.)

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.

On Saturday, February 7, 2009, the RRGCC will be holding a meeting at Torrent Falls, followed by a party. During the meeting, which will start at 1:00 pm, new Board members and officers for the coming year will be elected. During the remainder of the meeting details of the RRGCC’s events and other programs for 2009 will be discussed. Climbers interested in becoming involved as volunteers are especially encouraged to attend this meeting.

The party will start Saturday evening at 6pm, also at Torrent. After serving for six years on the RRGCC Board of Directors, Dr. Bob Matheny will be retiring from the BOD. All are invited to come to the party and help us thank Dr. Bob for his service to the Red River Gorge climbing community! As with other events held at Torrent people are encouraged to carpool due to the limited parking available at Torrent.

To get ready for 2009 the RRGCC will be holding its annual Strategic Planning Meeting on January 11, 2009 from 1pm to 4pm at Torrent Falls.  The meeting is open to all and anyone that plans to attend is free to climb at Torrent in the morning.