red river gorge climbers' coalition

Help us make this year's Climbers That Care event even better by bringing in canned goods, hats, jackets, presents.. whatever fits your fancy

Another season coming to an end in the Red, at least thats what we tell all the people from other parts of the country. Time to decide whether to fatten up at the family Thanksgiving feast or eat tuna from a can with friends in the dirty South. It’s the perfect time to start planning the deep Winter trip and finally hit Hueco. Or maybe its time to hit the plastic and get freaky strong for next Springs routes. Or maybe its time to drop climbing for the season and hit the powder…

When you list it out like that most of our lifes choices seem pretty tame compared to a lot of those in the local areas around the Red. Instead of choosing how to waste their day away wrestling rocks or skiing slopes, they are trying to figure out how to put a hot meal on the table and clothes on their children backs.

This is your chance to give back to the families of the areas that you play in. Please bring your canned goods, hats, jackets, boots or whatever could make someones winter a little more comfortable. Last year we had a full truckload of supplies donated and hope to repeat that this year. All the food and clothing is donated to the food bank ran by the Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd in Campton. If cash is your only option be assured that 100% will be used to buy food/clothing for the drive.

This year we are going on a gym tour and plan to hit as many gyms as possible. Right now we have Eastern Kentucky University and Bluegrass Bouldering committed. If you have a gym or would like to suggest one to host please get in touch with us.

Festivities will include free admittance to the gym, a one of a kind slide show featuring many of the areas talented photographers, including some old school favorites, music at some of the events as well as pot luck dinners (depending on location we will have adult refreshments available). And of course, there will be plenty of good folks and warm smiles to go around.

So find a gym near you to pull down and put up some good deeds:

• Bluegrass Bouldering (Lexington, KY)- November 19th
• Rockquest (Cincinnati, OH) – November 22nd
• Rocksport (Louisville, KY) –  December 8th
• Hoosier Heights (Bloomington, IN) - December 10th
• Eastern Kentucky University (Richmond, KY) - December 11th

Many thanks, Climbers That Care

climbersthatcare.com

Lee County Judge Executive Studies the Red River Gorge guidebook

In April 2010, the Red River Gorge climbing community experienced a fatal tragedy at the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve (PMRP). When the accident happened, climbers had a difficult time contacting and communicating their location to the rescue personnel. While the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition (RRGCC) cannot take the danger out of our beloved sport, we are making efforts to assist in communication between climbers and the emergency personnel who are tasked with saving us in unfortunate situations.

Climbing in the Red River Gorge spans over four different counties in eastern Kentucky: Lee, Powell, Wolfe and Menifee.  In Lee County resides the PMRP, owned by the RRGCC and the nearby privately owned Mother Lode, both of which are popular destinations for climbers. Both areas boast over 20 different crags and hundreds of routes, including Red River classics such as Whip-Stocking (11a), Mosaic (12c) and B.O.H.I.C.A. (13b). Unfortunately most climbers are not aware of their whereabouts when they go climbing. They merely follow guidebook directions.

(more…)

Drive By Emergency Tube

As climbers we put ourselves in a dangerous position.  We rely on ourselves, our equipment, and our climbing partner each and every time we climb. We don’t expect bad things to happen, however sometime accidents happen.  A few months ago our community experienced a tragedy at the Darkside.

The night of the accident I had a chance to talk with climbers that were at the cliff that day.  Through our discussions, I felt pain of my friends, as we searched for the why.

That night everyone was shaken, but I asked questions looking for ways that the RRGCC could help. There is little that the RRGCC can do to prevent accidents. When I asked what could have been better, here is what they said:

1. “We did not know who to call or what the phone number was
2. We did not know what county we were in
3. Even though we sent a runner out to meet the ambulance, they missed each other
4. We did not know how to explain to the Rescue Squad where we were in terms that they understood
5. The Rescue Squad did not know where the Darkside was  . . . “

(more…)

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..

(more…)