RRGCC Newsletter March 2024: Goodbye, 2023. Hello, 2024!
Goodbye, 2023. Hello, 2024!
Welcome all new members! With the new year upon us, the RRGCC is already hard at work for you and the community! With your donations and volunteer hours, we were able to accomplish a lot in 2023! With your continued support, we know 2024 will be just as good!
This is a leap year which means an extra day to climb and donate!
THANKS TO OUR MEMBERS!
In 2023, we saw a growth in our membership program, RIAD was created, Rocktoberfest was better than ever, and our community garnered support for potential access acquisitions. It was a great year for the RRGCC, so let’s look at some of our most important purchases that we made in 2023.
- Due to another outstanding year, we were able to provide our Executive Director with a well deserved increase in compensation. Thank you for all that you do, Billy!
- We were lucky enough to send our Executive Director to Bentonville, Arkansas for the Access Fund conference
- To improve access to our properties, we needed to make more space for our growing community. We spent thousands of dollars to expand the parking capacity in our parking lots in MFRP and BRRP!
- To perform our due diligence on potential access acquisitions such as the Ashland property, we spent funds on employee surveyors and attorneys to ensure that we are doing what is best for our community
We’re making some changes to the website. Let us know what you think! rrgcc@rrgcc.org
RIAD is back!
Red in a Day (RIAD) is an endurance climbing competition modeled after the famous Nose in a Day ascent of El Capitan. April 12th -13th, pair up with your best climbing partner and get ready to take on 31 pitches of the Red’s finest Corbin sandstone! Kickoff at Redpoint Barbecue and Miguel’s Pizza will close things down with awards, raffles, & other festivities from our sponsors! All proceeds benefit the RRGCC. More info:https://rrgcc.org/redriverreunion/
More Events
- March 28- Reel Rock 18 at Madtree Brewery Get Your Tickets
- May 5, 2024 – Halfway to Rocktoberfest at West Sixth Farm
- June 22, 2024 – JATD
- October 10-13 – Rocktoberfest 2024
- Queen city comp schedule – https://www.climbcincy.com/
queen-city-circuit - Climb L8 Schedule – https://rrgcc.org/climb-l8/
2024 Open Meeting
If you missed our open open meeting you can find it at RRGCC YOUTUBE
VOLUNTEER WITH US!
Want to give back to the community you love? If you are interested in working a fundraising event, doing trail work, crag clean up, helping kids at Climb L8, whatever your passion, or talent, we can find a place for it. Please email rrgcc@rrgcc.org. We will get you connected with the upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Be on the lookout for Johnny and Alex Trail Day (JATD) sign ups! June 22, 2024 Announcement on social media coming soon.
Seasonal Raptor Closures
Please be mindful of the local wildlife when climbing this spring. Seasonal raptor closings are in effect for the following routes:
- Gallows March
- New route under development
- Grave Digger
There is a pair of nesting barred owls on a ledge where these routes intersect so please respect them and avoid these climbs.
Report trail issues:
Is there unexpected water runoff? Has part of a bridge broken? Has a tree fallen into the trail?
You can now report any trail issue on RRGCC property through our website and social media.
Go online to:https://rrgcc.org/report-
JOIN THE RRGCC AND HELP PROTECT CLIMBING
Your contribution goes to protecting and conserving climbing areas in Red River Gorge. Yeah, that’s BIG but, your donation doesn’t have to be. Give a one-time donation or become a monthly member and donate just $5 a month.
Meet Our New Board Members
I am Anjel (with a J). I like rocks and stuff. I am not from Kentucky, but I have been climbing in the Red off and on for the last 23 years. Climbing gives me a feeling of freedom and release from the pressures and stress that every day life brings. Being at the top of a wall or mountain and looking down at everything puts life into perspective for me. Climbing does so much for me in my life that I want to be able to give back to the community and hopefully give others what I receive from it. I’ve been a volunteer on committees for the last 2 years and volunteering at Rocktoberfest for the better part of a decade. I’m excited to see how we grow and I hope to catch you all at future RRGCC Events. If you see me, come say hi!
Cole is a resident of Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati, OH with his wife and two kids. For Cole climbing hasn’t stopped since college, though like most it has ebbed and flowed. Mountain biking, coffee roasting, and home/cabin construction projects are the highlights when not thinking about his kids or climbing. He has worked in the environmental compliance/remediation industry since finishing his graduate program at the University of Kentucky. Cole joined the BOD to continue being a steward for an area he loves, so that it can be there for future generations to enjoy.