red river gorge climbers' coalition

Rocktoberfest, our largest annual fundraiser to benefit the PMRP, is ten days away! It’s so close you can check out the weather (pray that it stays as sunny as predicted).

We know we’re a little behind on getting information in your hands – we’re sorry about that and we appreciate that you’re bearing with us.

That said, I don’t think you could find a group more excited about this year’s Rocktoberfest. We’re really hoping to making this one the best event yet. The mortgage on the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve is so close to being paid off and we’re really hoping to make this another strong push towards finishing off that payment. But we can do that only with the help from our amazing community, sponsors, and donors! That’s the whole point of Rocktoberfest – to get everyone together, have an amazing party, and work towards the goals we’ve all set out before us.

Download, print, and distribute to lend hand

So, with all that, let’s get to the meaty parts..

..but before we actually get to those bits, I can’t emphasize this enough – pre-registering will save you cash! The quick and dirty pricing breakdown:

Location

This year’s Rocktoberfest will be in the same spot as the past few years – at the Natural Bridge Campgrounds. To get there, head to the Red as you normally might and get off of the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway at exit 33. Turn in to the rest area and then take an immediate left. If you get to the rest area, we should have enough signs and be making enough noise to get the point across to where exactly we’ll be. So “rest” easy

This is a rough map of this year’s Rocktoberfest location.

Friday

• We’re not sure if you’re ready to handle it but.. crate stacking is back. With the help of Detroit Rock Climbing Company and JH Lanmark, crate stacking will be around Friday and Saturday nights. We’re going to try to work in some exciting twists (head-to-head comps, for example) and folks from both companies are ponying up with some awesome prizes.
• Again, we’re changing things up a little this year. And that means that we’ll be showing a feature film Friday night – Chuck Fryberger’s The Scene. We’ll start the screening around 7:30pm or 8pm, depending on the sun and light, and we hope to see your doey-eyed, star-struck faces in the audience.
• Cletus will be hitting up the speakers with his turn-table, DJ’ing the scene through the evening.
• All weekend Sterling Ropes will be running their Rope Recycling Program. So, instead of tossing that old rope, toss it in Sterling’s box and be eligible to win a brand new one. That’s some recycling you can really believe in!
• Keen, with their stellar and long-lasting love for the RRGCC, will be selling their shoes, Men’s Obsidian and Women’s Red Rocks, for $50. And because they love the RRGCC, they’re giving that full $50 straight to the RRGCC.
• If the temperatures turn south a bit, Outdoor Research has graced us with some custom beanies. Pick up two for $20 (or one for $15) and it all goes to the Coalition.

Saturday

• Don’t have too much fun Friday if you want to have a shot at winning the Black Diamond sponsored Clip-n-Go Climbing Comp in the PMRP. Yes, you are special so the PMRP is yours while you pull down and try to win some of the best gear BD has to offer. Be sure to pre-register for the comp.. if you forget, though, show up Saturday morning at the venue and leave time to arrive at the comp start, 9am and it will wrap up around 4pm. We will be offering a shuttle to the PMRP but it’s first-come, first-serve with only a few open seats.
• Not feeling the most confident about your shoes but you’re just not ready to drop the cash on a pair you haven’t field tested? Well this weekend is your lucky weekend! Head to Miguel’s at 9am to check out the shoe demo being held by Evolv, 5.10, and Sportiva
• You might not look at the Red and think, “Cajun!” After Saturday’s dinner, though, you will. Bourbon n’ Toulouse will again be supplying us with some of the most amazing food this side of the Bourbon Street. Check out their menu or just look below for what we’ll be serving. Notice, we do have gluten-free options! Supper hits the table around 6pm.. so don’t work that project so hard you miss the food you need for a proper recovery. And bring your own bowl or expect the intense hazing that will ensue!
• Jamabalaya – Meaty, Gluten-Free
• Red Beans with Smoked Sausage – Meaty, Gluten-Free
• Cajun Red Chili – Meaty, Gluten-Free
• Artichoke and Parmesan Cream with Mushrooms – Veggie
• Black Beans and Caramelized Corn – Veggie, Gluten-Free
• Vegan Black Beans – Vegan, Gluten-Free
• While you’re munching and dinning, your ears will be soaking in tasty tunes from local group “Son of a Widow”.
• Crate stacking will be fully featured again, again with amazing prizes and even better stunts/comps.
• Like I said, we’re trying to change things up this year. We’ll be showing some short films from local producers like Sean Stewart. That and we’re going to keep things light with a few other videos.
• Thanks to our very generous sponsors, we’ll be running our silent aution. This is your chance to get your dream gear at your dream prices.. and all of the proceeds go to the RRGCC. Everyone wins.. that is, of course, if you win.
• Hope you’ve been working on those quads a little, or at least your burst strength, because you’ll have to bring your A-game to have a shot in this year’s Dyno Comp, brought to us by RockSport. Make sure you show up for the qualifiers that go from 7pm to 8pm. You’ll need to be in for those if you want a shot at the big prizes from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.
• It’d be a little ridiculous if you were still hungry after dinner but, if you are, Marmot and Keen will be grillin’ some dogs. Throw down a few dollars donation and tasty dogs are all yours

Sunday

• We’re also going to have professional clinics taught by some of the sport’s best athletes. Stop by the registration desk for more information on what clinics are open and where and when they’ll be held. Below is a list of available clinics:
  • Beginners – Burl Like a Girl
  • Advanced – Elite Climbing
  • Beginners/Intermediate – Multipitch Efficiency
  • Intermediate – Intermediate Sport & Redpointing
  • Beginners – Intro to Trad
  • Beginners/Intermediate – Warrior’s Way
  • Beginners/Intermediate – Footwork & Technique
  • DSLR 101 (half-day)
  • Off Camera Lighting 101 (half-day)
• I’m sure you all will be waking up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Sunday morning without the least bit of fog between those ears of yours. If you don’t, though, the Solid Rock Climbers For Christ will be around again to serve up coffee and all the tasty trappings of a homemade breakfast. Be sure to drop in a little love – they donate all the proceeds to the RRGCC. That and anyone that wakes up that early to help make you breakfast deserves a little thanks and a proper smile.

Now that you have the full scoop.. what are you waiting for?!

Register Today!

Also, we’re going to take a moment and give a special “thank you” to our Rocktoberfest sponsors. They’re here for all of us, making Rocktoberfest happen behind the scenes, adding schwag and fun times, and helping us secure access throughout the area.

Our Rocktoberfest Sponsors

This Rocktoberfest, Keen is pulling out all the stops. As we speak (so to speak), they’re loading up their trucks to the brim with Men’s Obsidian and Women’s RedRock shoes, shoes that typically go for up to $125 retail, and they’ll hauling them to the Red. Why? So they can sell them to you guys for only $50.. and that $50 is going straight to the RRGCC to help pay for the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve.

So be sure bring you favorite shoe horn and plenty of socks..

Keen shoes available at Rocktoberfest for $50, all proceeds go to the RRGCC

The Torrent Falls Windy Corner Cabin

Rocktoberfest is nigh and things in the region are heating up. If you’re anything like me, you’ve made exactly zero logistical plans so far. So, after you’ve registered for Rocktoberfest, make a big on a Torrent Falls Cabin for the weekend. Minimum bids start at $100 and all proceeds go the the RRGCC. Cabins can sleep up to six people.. and those folks will have access to climbing at Torrent that weekend. Not a bad little personal getaway.. so team up and make a bid!

The Torrent Falls Climbers' Cabin

Both the Climber’s Cabin and the Windy Corner cabins are up for bid. For more information on these cabins, check out redriveroutdoors.com, our generous sponsor.

The auction ends at Wednesday, 10am sharp. The highest bid at that time will be notified and access will be coordinated then.

Sorry, the auction is now closed and we have our winners! Thanks for the interest and for helping the RRGCC pay for the PMRP!

Join us for the Outdoor Clip n' Go Comp

Rocktoberfest is about celebrating the Red and our property, the Pendergrass-Murray Recreational Preserve. It has hundreds of classic and beautiful routes. What better way to enjoy them to time you guys and throw prizes your way to make sure you get outside now and again.

So come out and compete in the 3rd Annual RRGCC Rocktoberfest Clip and Go Climbing Competition at the Sore Heel Crags.

Location : Sore Heel Climbing Areas (guide) (map)

Date : Saturday, October 9, 10am – 5pm

Cost : $15 / Person, $25 / team

The rules are simple.

1. Points are earned by bolts clipped on redpoint.  Go ahead try as many times as you want, only your high point counts.  The anchors always count as two bolts.
2. There is a multiplier for difficulty so harder routes are worth more points per bolt than easier routes.
3. Stick Clipping the first bolt is allowed, however you must attempt the route.
4. If draws are hanging cool, if you hang ‘em that”s cool too.  There is no difference in points.
5. There are 3 catagories for your pleasure (3 each for Men’s and Women’s).  Beer, Bourbon, and Ol Stones.  Just like in real life the beer can take care of many issues however the bourbon is for the harder problems.  The Ol’ Stones are just there to heckle and have fun and support the cause.
6. This year we have added a team division – two climbers can compete together.  Total points makes the team score.  (Note: While you can enter the individuals event online, the team comp must be entered day of the event. The team entry cost is $25 for two people).  Of course you can enter both the team competition and the individual comp, however you must pay for both.
7. There may be mistakes but the scoresheet is the final word.
8. Finishing time of 5pm means that you have to have the score sheet turned in at 5pm with the scores tallied.

Pre-register online or at the event or even at the sore hill parking, day of the event.

For All Climbers, A Reminder

To ensure that all the comp participants have adequate parking, Sore Hill parking lot will be open only to competitors on Saturday until 2:00pm.

Here are the competition score sheets so you can make your strategy.

Individual Score Sheet

Team Scoresheet

Phillip Gall’s of Lexington is kicking Rocktoberfest off by hosting Jonathan Siegrist, Emily Harrington, and Sam Elias as they talk about their adventures and share some of their stellar photos of even more stellar locations. Grab a friend and head over Thursday, October 7 from 7-9pm and take a stab a winning gear including harnesses, jackets, draws, and more from Black Diamond, The North Face, and Arc’teryx. And if you happen to miss the Lady Luck, Phillip Gall’s is offering to take 10% off your entire purchase just for attending, a perfect chance to catch a deal to replace that ratty rope of yours.

Jonathan Siegrist, Emily Harrington, and Sam Elias make this pit stop on their way to the Red for Rocktoberfest.  The athletes will be signing posters and answering questions and helping us to raffle off Black Diamond, The North Face, and Arcteryx gear following the presentations. All proceeds from the raffle will go to the RRGCC.

So support a local vendor and join us for a great night. For more information, check out Phillip Gall’s on Facebook and Twitter.

Help us spread the word by downloading the flyer and posting it at a local hang out!

Rocktoberfest, our largest annual fundraiser to benefit the PMRP, is less than two weeks away! It’s so close you can check out the weather on the ten-day outlook. So.. go register today while you still can! And be sure to check out one of the awesome clinics that are being run by some of the best athletes in the sport.. they’re filling up fast, though, so get to it!

Register Now!

Also, we’re going to take a moment and give a special “thank you” to our Rocktoberfest sponsors. They’re here for all of us, making Rocktoberfest happen behind the scenes, adding schwag and fun times, and helping us secure access throughout the area.

Title Sponsors

Click the read more link to see our full set of loving, beautiful, adoring sponsors.

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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.

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If you’re a Type A person and need to have all the latest scheduling, we’re trying to help you out.  With plenty of things going on this year, we’re hoping you can pencil us in here and there. Get the Sharpie out for the 10^th annual Rocktoberfest (October 8-10). Check out the full list of our upcoming events.

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The RRGCC April 17 meeting. We didn't get quite this close..

Another meeting down, another docket of business together, another set of cookies, stickie buns, and brownies put away.. Yep, the April 17th meeting of the RRGCC is all but history with one of our larger crowds in hand, likely due to some of the spring’s best weather to date.

If you missed this one, have no fear – there’s one tentatively scheduled for July 24. Check back again (or subscribe to our feed) to find out the details. In the meantime, read over the proceedings from this last meeting to stay up with the current happenings and updates.

Read more after the break..

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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…)