NEW ACCESS SECURED

We are excited to share that the Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition Incorporated (RRGCC) has collaborated with Cliffview Resort and Lodge LLC to obtain a recreational easement for access to the cliff faces at Cliffview Recreational Preserve, ensuring increased public access to climbing opportunities for future generations.

The easement covers an area with over 30 cliff faces totaling over 3.5 miles of cliff line. It allows for a 20-foot access easement above the cliff face for route development and maintenance, and 40 feet below the cliff face for climbing and belaying.

In late 2020, Ian Teal, owner of Cliffview Resort & Lodge, contacted the RRGCC to discuss the possibility of donating land.  Over the course of several meetings with Ian, RRGCC Access & Acquisitions Committee members, Jonathan Bruns and Jereme Ransick, learned he desired to open his property below the cliff line to various recreational activities, such as climbing, mountain biking, hiking and a nature center, to complement the cabins he would be building on top of the ridge. RRGCC proposed a unique Cliff Face Climbing Easement which would provide public access for rock climbing to specific cliff faces in Cliffview.  This unique solution ensures permanent climbing access for the public while allowing Cliffview Resort & Lodge to develop the property for other recreational and business purposes.

“Located in the heart of the southern region of Red River Gorge, this cliff face easement provides a wonderful new opportunity for rock climbing without the full cost and burdens of land acquisition and ownership.  It strikes a balance between permanent public climbing access and the land owner’s right to use, develop, and enjoy their land.” – Jereme Ransick RRGCC Board Member & Access & Acquisitions Committee Chair

“Securing this recreation easement has been an excellent opportunity for the RRGCC to open access to additional rock climbing and recreation in a different capacity than purchasing property outright. This easement allows for shared land management responsibilities and the ability for the RRGCC’s Board and Staff to continue focusing resources on other projects as well. It also sets a solid foundation for future talks with other landowners in the area who may be interested in opening their properties for rock climbing.” – Billy Simek RRGCC Executive Director

This area is projected to open to the public, in the fall of 2025. Currently the RRGCC is supporting volunteers / climbers in the community with their efforts to develop routes by providing property waivers as well as guidance on accessing the property and obtaining free hardware. Once routes are established, the RRGCC will work with Cliffview Resort and Lodge to create infrastructure. If you have experience and want to develop routes in the Cliffview Recreational Preserve, please visit https://www.rrgcc.org/crp.  

We would like to thank Ian Teal, Jereme Ransick, Jonathan Bruns, Michael Bond, Michael Hargis, Brian Ogawa, Curtis Rogers, Van Wamwell and the RRGCC Access Committee for all their time and hard work in making this agreement happen.