red river gorge climbers' coalition

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

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.

Register Today! »

Come one, come all to the 6th annual Johnny & Alex Trail Day, August 14th, 2010.  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, John Bronaugh and Alex Yeakley.  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.  You can also follow us on Facebook!

Thanks for your interest in JATD! We’ve already placed our orders for lunch and dinner and such.. meaning that if you’re planning on coming, we probably weren’t. And that’s fine.. just make sure to bring some lunch, dinner, snacks, beverages.. anything that will keep you in good spirits and working hard on the land you own

JR Goodwin, our good friend from Louisville, Kentucky, recently helped host a Trail Day to maintain the trails in the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve – Coal Bank Hollow. At the end of the day, he found himself in a rare state – out of words.

JR Goodwin and his partner in crime, Mike Driskell, at another trail day they organized.

Sitting here to type out the events of the May 15th trail day extravaganza I find myself, for once, speechless. From the initial ideas and layout to the hard work and sweat of those in attendance as well as the lunch, beer, and party spot donated by those who couldn’t attend, a huge THANK YOU!! I have been left smiling about the wonderful community and family that we of the Red River Gorge are so lucky to have. A passion passed onto me by many of those before me was obviously shared by the many, many people that showed up that day and to say that much was accomplished would be an understatement of the sheer force that descended onto coal Bank Hollow that day.

(more…)

2009 RRGCC Year in Review

This past year had a lot of exciting happenings for the RRGCC.

The year began with a large ice storm.  Bill Strachan worked with 5 climber volunteers and three US Forrest Service personnel.   On February 21, 2009 they cleared storm damage in Martin’s Fork area, which includes the approaches to Military and Left Flank.

Todd McCormick and the University of Pittsburgh hosted a climbing competition to raise funds for the RRGCC.  Their event raised $1,125! (more…)

Natural Bridge Campgrounds. Exit 33 off the Bert Combs Mountain Parkway. Follow signs to Natural Bridge Campgrounds

It’s official – registration for Rocktoberfest 2009 is now open! Visit http://rrgcc.org/register/ to register yourself and others for the weekend.

If you have questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to contact us or call us (use the “Call Me” button to the right or dial us at 859-955-0774).

Thanks and see you in October

Friday:

• Camping and parking is included and is on site at the Natural Bridge Campgrounds (click for directions).
• First choice of camping spots (limited sites with water and electric hookups)
• First dibs at vendors and all their demo gear, including gear from:
  Black Diamond, Petzl, La Sportiva, Sterling Ropes Five Ten and others..
• Climbing films featured by Dead Point Magazine and music DJ’ed by our man from the south, John “Cletus” Wilcox.
• Fun and games.. and did we mention all the vendors and demo gear!
• Access to the dyno comp to either toss in your hat or heckle from the sidelines.

Saturday:

• The Clip and Go Comp Climbing competition at the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve – Sore Heel Hollar Competition will be based on endurance – number of bolts clipped and the difficulty of the route will both factor into the point system.
• Sign up is from 9-10am at the Registration Desk or at the Sore Heel Parking Lot.
• The competition will last from 10am to 5pm and the winners will be announced at the venue on Saturday night.
• Free YOGA class Saturday morning at 9:30.  Please bring your own mat. 
  

Saturady evening will host plenty of music, food, gear, a dyno comp, and plenty more..

Saturday Night:

• Camping and parking is included and is on site
• Free swag from every angle! T-shirts, posters, stickers, gear and much more.
• Silent auction with a ton of top end gear from our gracious sponsors!
• And we’ll be hosting and featuring the Reel Rock Tour Movie
• Plus we’ll have a dyno comp, DJ, and plenty more to attract your distractable eyes and ears..

Sunday:

• Clinics lead and attended by pros from around the sport
• Breakfast in the morning courtesy of the Solid Rock Climbers for Christ

Celebrating one of the largest Adopt-A-Crags this year. Photo by Elodie Saracco

Last Saturday the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition hosted their most successful trail day event in their 13 year history. Over 90 people came together to lend their skills and talent to developing new trails, and rehabbing existing pathways on the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve. Additionaly, last Saturday’s trail day most certainly ranks as one of the largest Access Fund sponsored Adopt-A-Crag events in 2009!

Here is a synopsis of what was accomplished:

At Sore Heel:

• New steps built going to Curbside
• New trails installed on the left side of Curbside
• Completed the exit trail going towards curbside
• New steps built going to Optical Rectitus
• Bike trail maintenance and small addition added
• Foot bridge on the far right of the Gallery
• Gallery side and base maintenance
• Rerouting of trail and steps added in the large drainage ditch
• Trail maintenance in a variety of other locations at Sore Heel

At Crossroads:

• Sign installed
• Wooden steps installed on the side-trail at the Crossroads
• Crossroads side-trail improved

At Darkside:

• Fallen trees were removed
• Steps cut into the trail

At Drive-By/Bob Marley:

• Steps installed at the start of the Bob Marley trail
• New trail completed between Drive By and Bob Marley Crags

Gather supplies in Coal Bank Hollow. Photo by Elodie Saracco

In other exciting news, for the first time ever the Johnny and Alex Trail Day raised money for the coalition, both in private donations and sales at the event. These funds and donations of goods and services from our generous sponsors financed that great party.

To those that volunteered Saturday and those that give in so many other ways, thank you!

View Johnny and Alex Trail Day 2009 in a larger map