It’s that time of year again and the RRGCC needs your help!!! If you’re interested in volunteering for Rocktoberfest, please go to http://www.volmanager.com/RRGCC/VolMan(1).php and select what position(s) you’d like to help with. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions. We couldn’t do it without YOU!
September 4th, 2010 by Josephine
August 30th, 2010 by Paul Vidal
Johnny and Alex Trail Day, as seen by our fearless trail day leader, Matt Tackett:
Saturday morning started off as a typical summer day in Kentucky. Hot enough to scorch the devil, humid enough for altitude training, bugs thick enough to float a truck and more snakes laying around than fibers on a plush carpet.
No one in their right mind would be outside on a day like that. Especially not out bushwhacking to see what the next holler holds, hauling a drill kit through rhodo thickets so dense you can’t see the other side, or worse yet be out working for free for others enjoyment…
Luckily for all of us, Johnny did those things every chance he could get.
I’m not sure if it’s a spreadable disease from touching too much Corbin sandstone, or maybe it’s a side effect from too many Ale-8′s, but Johnny and Alex sure would have been proud to see a 120 people sharing the same affliction showing up with tools and water in hand and ready to suffer for something bigger than they are.
As volunteers received their trail assignments and raced out all over the PMRP it reminded me of ants rebuilding their hill after being disturbed. When everyone picks up a stone it makes the wall easier to build. So as I swat another horse fly to the ground and wash the stinging nettle sting off my arms, I’m laughing out loud and thinking to myself that this is what Johnny wanted the PMRP and the RRGCC to be.
Volunteers braved the elements and didn’t stop until projects were completed. Chica Bonita, Curbside, Bob Marley, Shire, Gallery, Left Field, Play Ground, Volunteer Wall, Courtesy, Rival, Sore Heel short cut trail and the new mountain bike trails all saw significant improvements. Work was made easier by the amazing wraps provided my Miguel’s and crew as well as drinks from GFS and Red River Outdoors.
You would think that once the work whistle was blown that folks would be lining up to leave the property, to be the first to make the slip and slide run, be the hero that tapped the kegs or at least be first in line for dinner provided by True North Outfitters. But this strange affliction that we share drove a few crews insane and they literally had to be pushed down the hill with tools in hand and blindfolded to prevent further work.
As everyone gathered back to Lago Linda’s to wash, feed and drink the sore muscles away a storm like no other rolled in, only adding fuel to the party that was to come. By the time the 23 String Band took the stage the crowd had shaken the sore muscles away and gotten warmed up for a full night of dancing by an impromptu one-arm pull-up adult beverage chugging contest… that in all reality should become an Olympic event. The 23 String Band tore it up as always and played well into the night keeping everyone on their feet and truly enjoying this thing we call life.
Completely exhausted and soaked in rain and sweat I look around at all the smiling faces of friends and family and an overwhelming sense of belonging and calm takes over… and we all dance again.
Thanks to everyone that made this years Johnny and Alex Trail Day the best one yet. Looking forward to suffering in the woods, dancing till I can’t move and making Johnny and Alex proud again this time next year.
Matt Tackett
August 13th, 2010 by Paul Vidal
You know you've always dreamed of it..
So.. we’re a little excited about this.. but we’re going to have full on jousting at this year’s 10th Annual Rocktoberfest (October 8-10). Yep, that’s right, get your onesie and mouth-guard out from retirement, get those dreams of American Gladiator glory going again, and get ready to rumble.
We’re still working on the dunk tank, crate stacking, the dyno comp, the route climbing comp, and a few other events.. so get on the ball (or should we say platform) and go register. And while you’re at it, go get that dude that sends all your projs at the gym.. it’d be nice to bat them around a bit, no? 
And yes, we’re serious.
What events would you like to see at Rocktoberfest this year? Leave your thoughts in the comments form.
August 11th, 2010 by Paul Vidal
We’re all out to get the most we can out of climbing. But the question is really a question of how much you want it, how much it’s in you, a part of you. CORE, the first feature-length film from Chuck Fryberger, is all about capturing the essence of climbing and those that are gripped by it to the core, hard-core.
With temps in the mid-90s and humidity making the Red feel a bit more like you’re climbing out of the Panama Canal, we think sometimes the best thing to do is to watch a few climbing videos to get you jazzed for cooler temps and training.
And we’re more than thrilled to tell you that CORE will be featured on Saturday night (that’s October 9th for those without Rainman-like skills) at this year’s Rockotberfest.
August 3rd, 2010 by Paul Vidal
The flood gates are now open.. so get yourself together and get a move on it! Time is of the essence and this, the 10th Annual Rocktoberfest, is set to be the best yet!
Register now for Rocktoberfest 2010 »
Check out the registration page for a more detailed break-down of each day and what’s happening. Or you can check out below for a rough schedule that might (likely will) change a bit.. So bear with us a bit.
Register while you can..
Friday
- Dyno Comp
- Music from DJ Junior Notch
- Movie shorts (and longs..)
- Jousting Tourneys
- Games and Prize galore
Saturday
- Outdoor Comp in Sore Heel
- Dyno Comp
- Music from the Great Great Pines and DJ Junior Notch
- Movie shorts (and longs..)
- Jousting Tournament
- Raffles, games, and more prizes than your sport pack can hold
- The Core, the feature movie from Chuck Fryberger
Sunday
- Clinics taught by pros
- Morning breakfast from the Solid Rock Climbers for Christ
July 22nd, 2010 by Paul Vidal
The RRGCC needs your help to complete the send of the PMRP project and other projects on the horizon. We are looking for people to step up and donate their time and talents to become committee leaders or Board members within the Coalition. If you have skills or experience in the legal, accounting, copywriting, database management, desktop publishing, land management, or non-profit management areas or if you just want to assume a more active role in making a positive impact on one of the best local climbing organizations in the nation, please fill out this RRGCC Volunteer Leader Questionnaire and return it to bill (at) rrgcc.org by August 20.
July 7th, 2010 by Paul Vidal
Strive to be, and make others, happy at this summer's Climbers That Care event
It’s easy to put the blinders on from time to time, especially as you’re thinking about the crux moves of your latest proj. But when you take a second to stop for the stray dog that runs across the road in front of you and take a look around at the homes and lives surrounding you, you’ll see that there are plenty of ways you can help the communities that you call home for the weekends in the RRG.
The RRG area, touching Powell, Wolfe, Lee, and Menifee counties, is home to some of the best people you’ve probably never met. But the economic truth of the matter means they need a hand from time to time. And with school about to get back in gear, it’s that time again.
Update: If you can’t make it to Red River Outdoors or to JATD, stop by Phillip Gall’s Outdoors in Lexington (mapped location) and let the employee on duty know it’s for Kate LaBoone. Thanks PG’s!
See how you can help by reading on..
July 2nd, 2010 by Paul Vidal
The RRG is open again!
Just in time for the weekend, that troublesome bear has moved on past the gorge and the kind folks at the USFS have issued an order to reopen the area.
But please do pack your food properly. Access to food is the primary reason bears get interested in people in the first place. When Yogi can venture into any ol’ spot and snag a picnic basket, it makes that spot pretty appealing and almost always leads to uncomfortable encounters.
So, for the Fourth, we want you to go have fun, roll around in the mud, catch some butterflies, and otherwise be happy and jolly! If you get bored, here are a few things that would help out:
- Plan ahead – Sign up for JATD
- Build the community – Get the word about the PMRP and Rocktoberfest out
- Give a little bit – Help us raise the mortgage!
Read on past the break for the full USFS press release.
June 28th, 2010 by Paul Vidal
Areas in the RRG are closed to protect visitor safety
In response to a black bear attack the US Forest Service has temporarily closed the Red River Gorge Gorge Geologic Area. This affects all Red River Gorge proper crags except those located in the Indian Creek drainage plus Long Wall, Fortress Wall, and Phantasia that remain open. Crags affected by the closure include, but are not limited to – Funk Rock City, Wall of Denial, Sky Bridge Ridge, the Small Walls, Frenchburg Overhangs, Military Wall, Left Flank, and Raven Rock.
This is a temporary closure and we will spread the word when the US Forest Service and officials notify the community that the area has been reopened.
Check out the full news brief after the break..
June 23rd, 2010 by Yasmeen
The RRGCC needs a large water cooler for events such as Johnny and Alex Trail Day. If anybody would like to donate one, please contact us. Thanks and we hope to see you at JATD!
Rocktoberfest Volunteers Needed