RRGCC

What stories can a forest tell? ✍️🤔 When local experts, conservationists, climbers, and hikers come together to uncover the history written across the landscape, the forest becomes an open book! 📖🌳

This past Saturday, we hosted a free guided hike through RRGCC-owned Cave Fork Recreational Preserve, where participants explored the forest’s ecology, geology, history, and ongoing conservation efforts.

The group started off at the climber parking area in Cave Fork and ventured to a nearby crag in the unopened Lake District. Experts volunteered their time to help attendees uncover the history of the land through its forests, geology, and remnants of past human activity.

The hike was led by several experts including Blair and Chris, both scholars of local ecology. Blair explained the ecological succession that occurs after major disturbances such as forest fires or clear-cut logging, pointing out tree species that indicate the forest has been recovering for several decades. A subgroup joined Chris on a side excursion to visit 200+ year old tulip poplars and examine geological features at Oil Rig Crag that suggest ancient flooding events. 🌷🌳

We were also joined by Andrew, local Geologist and expert on extraction equipment, who identified artifacts of the area’s oil-drilling past and discussed efforts to address abandoned wells. Gerty, RRGCC Board Member, added additional context with stories about the history of oil production in the Big Sinking Field, particularly in the Cave Fork area. 

Tara and Louie, RRGCC Board and Staff, provided the group with context on the forest’s current recreational uses for climbers, route developers, and hikers. 🧗

From old-growth tulip poplars to relics of Kentucky’s oil boom, Cave Fork has stories around every bend! ✨Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the beauty found throughout RRGCC’s land in the Red River Gorge!

📷: Courtesy of Maddie, Tara, Gerty & Chris

Thank you Red River Museum and to everyone who attended our Forest Regeneration Hike last Saturday in Cave Fork Recreational Preserve!

Grab a friend (or two) and be sure to register for JATD before THIS TUESDAY 6/9 🗓 to be guaranteed a free JATD shirt & lunch! 👕🌯

Join us for our annual trail day event! Johnny & Alex Trail Day – a day that's a bit of hanging out, a bit of hard work, and a lot of giving back to the Red in a meaningful way. 🥾🌱⛏

Whether you're a longtime JATD volunteer or looking to make new friends, all are welcome and appreciated. Each registration comes with an official JATD tee provided by , free lunch wrap from , and fresh dinner provided by . 👏

Looking to join the crew? We're rallying for extra support with these three projects:
🌟 Local's Day @ Cliffview (Monday, 6/22)
🌟 Trail Cutting to Oil Crack and Arena @ PMRP
🌟 Sailing into the Event Horizon @ Cave Fork

🔗 Find registration for these projects and more here: https://rrgcc.networkforgood.com/events/101949-johnny-alex-trail-day-2026

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5 minutes could help shape the future of climbing in the Red River Gorge - and score you a free 60m Sterling rope! 👀

The Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition has partnered with Dr. James Maples to conduct an updated Economic Impact Study of climbing in the Red.

📈 This research helps demonstrate the value climbers bring to the region and provides critical data for advocacy, policy work, and grant funding that support climbing access.

Want in? It simple -

1️⃣ Complete the 5-10 minute survey

2️⃣ Email [email protected] with the subject line “EIS” by Friday, June 5 to be entered to win a free Sterling rope!

Why does this matter? 👉 The 2021 study found that climbers bring more than 102,000 visitors and $8.7 million in local spending to the Red River Gorge each year. Those findings have since helped support major access and advocacy wins, including updates to Kentucky’s Recreational Use Statute and funding for expanded climbing access.

Quick survey. Real impact. 🌟

🔗 Survey link here: https://surveys.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=bialssNzeQcECHrPeIW9eQ%3D%3D

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🥳 Registration for JATD 2026 is officially open! 📣

Each year, the RRG community comes together at our largest annual trail day event to give back to the land that gives us so much. 🫶

Join us as we divide & conquer – tackling trail projects across the Gorge that create sustainable access for generations to come. 🥾🌱

JATD wouldn’t be complete without the usual shenanigans – lunch and drinks provided by and , dinner from , plus cold beer 🍻, a silent auction, raffle 🎟, and live entertainment to close out the day. 🎙 Every registration includes lunch, dinner, snacks, and an official JATD shirt courtesy of . 👏

The event was first created to honor John Bronaugh – an early RRGCC volunteer, prolific route developer, guidebook author, and key figure in the PMRP purchase – and his son Alex, who grew up climbing alongside him. After John’s death in 2004 and Alex’s tragic passing just months later, the day became a way to celebrate their lasting impact on the Red and give back to the climbing community they loved.

JATD honors their legacy through stewardship, service, and community – the same values that they quietly embodied without ever asking for recognition. ♥️ Swipe to the end to see their photo.

Johnny and Alex Trail Day (JATD) will be held on Saturday, June 27th at Land of the Arches Campground.

➡️ Register at this link: https://rrgcc.networkforgood.com/events/101949-johnny-alex-trail-day-2026

We'll see you there! ✨

Cover 📷:

🌱📢 Calling all conservation enthusiasts! 📢🌳

The RRGCC is teaming up with local experts to bring you a free guided hike exploring how the forest at Cave Fork Recreational Preserve has regenerated since it was extensively logged 100 years ago. 🌻🌿🥾

🪻This walk will be led by Wildlife Biologists Dan and Judy Dourson, and University of Kentucky Geologist Andrew Hawksley. The hike will cover Red River Gorge ecology as well as some history of resource extraction in the area.

The Doursons are co-authors of “Wildflowers and Ferns of the Red River Gorge and Greater Red River Basin,” and “Wild Yet Tasty: Wild Edible Plants of Eastern Kentucky,” both essential resources on plant life in this region of Kentucky.

Interested in attending? Here’s what you need to know! 👇

➡️ Registration is required for this event – group size is limited! Carpooling and hike location details can be found at the registration link in our bio.

➡️ The Forest Regeneration Hike will be held on Saturday, June 6th from 10am-2pm.

➡️ Expect a 2 mile hike on uneven terrain – be sure to bring water and appropriate attire.

Did we mention, this hike is 🌟 100% FREE 🌟 and open to all! Spots are limited spots, so make sure to snag your spot while you can here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdBB4LY79Eu1vyZC0LOovTVC9WRGuZBizQ_fuMsm62jrSdgw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110058983675670074935

We’ll see you there! 👋

Save the Date: The RRGCC's largest annual trail day event is just around the corner! 🥾🌱

Johnny and Alex Trail Day (JATD) will be held on Saturday, June 27th at Land of the Arches Campground this year.

Each year, the RRG community comes together to give back to the land that gives us so much. Join us in creating and maintaining the trails that allow sustainable access to some of the best climbing in the world right here in the RRG. ⛏🪨

JATD wouldn't be JATD without our usual shenanigans – you can look forward to lunch and bevs provided by & , and fresh dinner provided by . 🔥 After work is done for the day, we'll head on back to LOTA for some ice cold bevies, dinner, a raffle, silent auction, and live entertainment 🎙.

More details & registration coming soon – keep an eye out! 👀

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The RRGCC is thrilled to announce the addition of a THIRD full-time staff member to the team! 🥳

Please join us in welcoming local climber and developer, Brian Kramer, as our first ever full-time Land Manager! 🥾🌱⛏️🪨

👇 A little about Brian:

Since 2010, Brian has spent the majority of his time climbing. First at the Salisbury University climbing wall, then at the Movement Climbing Gyms in Baltimore, MD. He worked full-time for Movement (then Earth Treks) doing just about anything he could get his hands on—from teaching rock & ice climbing to route setting, his life revolved around sharing his climbing passion with others.

When he wasn’t working, Brian was making the long drive out to the New, Seneca, the Gunks, or the Red, trying to squeeze every last ounce of climbing out of the days. Every year, he’d spend a few months traveling around North America’s climbing destinations looking for the best rock only to realize that he didn’t need to go past Kentucky. In 2025, he left his job at the gym and moved to Beattyville with his wife and their cats, Puff & Lola. When he’s not working, Brian is usually out developing routes, looking for the next 5-star classic.

We are thrilled to bring Brian on board for his love for the Red, kindness, eagerness to help and learn, team spirit, and (most importantly) funny jokes. 😉 He will be working closely to learn from the best in the business, Curtis and Audrey Gale-Dyer, who have been taking excellent care of our beloved climbing areas for decades.

The addition of a third full time staff member marks an important landmark in the growth of the RRGCC that we are excited to celebrate alongside our community. 🌟 This is your money at work – going straight back into the care and conservation of our RRG climbing lands.

You’ll likely see Brian out on our property before too long, but til then, drop a 👋, 🙌, or even a 🤜🤛 in the comments and help us welcome Brian to the team!

Photos 1 & 6 📷:

Quick survey – real impact: we love a good win, win situation. 🤝

5 mins of your time could:

✅ Help inform local organizations on how climbers impact the RRG economy
✅ Enter you to win a freshy 60m !

The RRGCC is hosting Dr. James Maples for a third round of an Economic Impact Study in the Red River Gorge! These studies survey climbers to learn about how visiting climbers spend their money while on trips to the Red.

The results of the 2021 study have been instrumental in:

👉 RRGCC’s efforts to amend the Kentucky Recreational Use Statute to protect landowners that allow rock climbing on their private property
👉 Winning grants in order to make the Ashland acquisition possible in the Red
👉 Generally helping us understand how climbers impact the local economy

(Check out the full 2021 impact results pdf here: https://rrgcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/RRG-EIS-2020-final-report-62121.pdf)

Want in? It’s simple –

1️⃣ Fill out the easy 5-10 min survey found at the link in our bio
2️⃣ Email [email protected] with the subject line “EIS” before the end of May & you’ll be entered to win!

We will draw for the winner on Monday, June 1st. 🗓️

✍🏼 These surveys are one aspect of the study — Dr. Maples’ team is also conducting interviews on community perceptions of climbers in the region. The interviews help identify local views, potential partnerships, and current or emerging challenges.

🌟 Best of luck to ya & THANK YOU for your help!

Huge thank you to our friends at for joining us in co-funding this study and to for providing grant funds to help cover the costs. 👏

🔗 Survey link here: https://surveys.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=bialssNzeQcECHrPeIW9eQ%3D%3D

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Are you an Adaptive Climber? 👀 This is your sign to try climbing outdoors!

🧗‍♀️ Catalyst Sports () and the RRGCC are teaming to bring you a FREE outdoor climbing day at the Red River Gorge designed for adaptive climbers! 🙌

👇 Here's what you need to know:

📅 When: Saturday, June 13th, 10am-4pm.
📍 Where: The beautiful Red River Gorge, Kentucky!
🚐 Transportation from Louisville and Lexington will be provided by the – more details in the signup form!
🔗 Pre-registration is required! 📢 Sign up at the link below.

https://catalystsports.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/catalystsports/event.jsp?event=120355&

🤜 🤛 Interested in volunteering for this event? See if you’re a good fit in the volunteer registration form 👇

https://catalystsports.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/catalystsports/event.jsp?event=121421&

Whether you’re a seasoned climber or trying it for the first time, we invite you to come climb, connect, and celebrate community outdoors. We hope to see you there! ✨

📷: Photo courtesy of the Adaptive Climbers Fest Photo Team