Come one, come all to the 3rd annual Johnny and Alex Trail Day. Like in years past we will be depending on the community to come out and take care of the land you own and honor two great men of the Red. We will be building trails, bolting routes and having a kick ass party. Mark August 4th and 5th on your calender and be part of something special. This years event will be held at Coal Bank. We will have about 5 routes to bolt and many trails to build/secure. If you want to bolt a route please pm me so we can put you down, first
come first serve.

When: August 4 and 5, 2007
Where: Coal Bank
More info

There will be free keg beer, live music, t-shirts and free schwag for all that attend. We will also have the slip and slid and volley ball, we just may have to get in a game or two of the infamous bourbon ball. This year's event will help us with the GOLD grant we got last year. So bring your tools and bring some friends we go a lot of dirt to move and payments to make!

Photo by Derek Good © 2006

Two Fayetteville climbers glued fake hangers onto the route as a practical joke aimed at one individual known for his vocal stance against retrobolting, among other things. The hangers were attached with glue that was strong enough to hold the hangers, a draw and a rope, but not body weight.

Other climbers removed the fake bolts quickly and no injuries to people or damage to the rock resulted. Park police began an investigation almost immediately.

The following is the text of a letter to all of us from Head Ranger Gary Hartley.

July 13, 2007

An Open Letter to the Climbing Community at New River Gorge National River

Earlier this week it was reported to the park that six fake bolted hangers were glued to the cliff face near the “Easily Flakey” route at Bridge Buttress. Once discovered, the hangers were removed and an investigation was immediately initiated. Through the cooperation of the local climbing community, the individuals responsible for this act have come forward and provided detailed statements. We have been assured by these individuals that the fake hangers placed on the cliff have been removed and that this was an isolated incident. Park rangers will be conducting the follow-up investigation and I expect federal charges to be filed against the individuals involved.

While this incident is under further investigation, I have asked the Superintendent to suspend the blanket permit for bolt replacement. As of this date no bolts may be placed on any rock surface unless specific authorization is received from the National Park Service. This authorization will only be granted on a case by case basis involving identified hazards and emergency situations. This suspension shall remain in effect until further notice.

Climbers should be aware that the National Park Service does not inspect or maintain fixed protection at the New River Gorge National River. All climbers should inspect any fixed protection devices upon which they will be depending. Any fixed protection that appears to be faulty should be flagged and reported to park headquarters as soon as possible.

The National Park Service considers visitor safety a priority and we must err on the side of caution. Your cooperation in providing a safe climbing environment is greatly appreciated. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this incident, please do not hesitate to contact me at 304-465-0508 ext. 218

Sincerely,

Gary Hartley, Chief Ranger
New River Gorge National River
Gauley River National Recreation Area
Bluestone National Scenic River

As Amy walked outside to find the source of the smoke, she heard an explosion. The building was quickly engulfed in flames. A second explosion followed, fueling the fire further. Amy escaped and was left standing outside, barefoot, in boxer shorts and a t-shirt, watching her home and livelihood burn to the ground.

Ms. Tackett was able to reach friends by phone and by 7:00pm more than 25 members of the local climbing community had arrived to offer help and support.

After the flames were extinguished, the fire marshal suggested an old pickup that had been parked next to the building, and that had two gas tanks, may have been the source of the blaze.

Matt Tackett was out guiding at the time of the fire. Amy wasn't injured and there were no other people in the building at the time. Sadly, the Tacketts' dog, River, was unable to make it out.

The Tacketts had insurance on both their business and their home and are planning to rebuild as soon as possible.

A PayPal account has been set up for those who would like to make a donation. To help, or for more information, please visit www.redriverclimbing.com.

If you have reservations at one of the Red River Outdoors cabins, visit redriveroutdoors.com for updates.

In response to this sale announcement, many climbers have raised the question of "what can we do?" Well, now you can help examine possibilities at this discussion.

Where: REI, Bailey's Crossroads
When: 5-7pm on Saturday, January 27th
Why: Learn about the options for preserving climbing access at Nelson Rocks Preserve and climbing on other private lands in the area.

This meeting will also provide a forum where climbers can get involved and organized about preserving climbing access to Nelson Rocks. If you would like to be involved in saving climbing at Nelson Rocks, please attend!

Mason Allen

If you ran into Mason at the cliff or the pub, you were sure to be treated with warmth and kindness. If you had never met him it is difficult to illustrate the brilliant energy he brought to this world and the huge sense of loss felt at his passing. Mason is survived by his parents Morgan and Frances Allen, twin brother Lee Allen, sister Kristy Allen Slagle, uncle John Richardson, uncle Reece Richardson, niece s Brooke and Hailey Slagle. In honor of Mason’s dedication to rock climbing, his family graciously requested that memorial contributions be given to the Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition in his name. The RRGCC wishes to thank Mason's family and friends for their thoughtfulness and acknowledge the generosity of the donors who have made donations to the RRGCC in his memory.

For stories from Mason's friends, check this thread on Redriverclimbing.com.

Just back from a weekend of trail work and cleanup and climbing at Franklin.

HUGE thanks to Nolan LaVoie and the seven incredible young men of the Blue Ridge School who showed up just after sunup on Saturday to bag trash, haul logs, set stone and lay trail in temps that started out at 28F.

Daniel Desenberg (the big man), Chris (with a bullet) Pistell, indomitable Dominic Walker, Taylor Playforth (Mr. Attention to detail), Conner McCormick(who HAD to climb it his way, and did), Alex Stroutmann, who turned out to know as much more about climbing and trail than I had expected from anyone his age, and Bryan Whitford, who was everywhere, doing everything.

These guys worked like twice their number, rebuilding the steps from the parking lot to the wall, lining the trail from there to the boulder field, setting new steps above the big cut, and following it all with a frenzy of climbing and fun that left nothing to the imagination and made my stomach hurt from laughing. We had more fun than most people even know how to have, and after a day of this insanity and a night in sub-freezing conditions, these young tigers wanted to do more!

Gentlemen, I salute you.

Thanks as well to longtime Harrisonburg resident and climber Neil Curtis, who saw a post in passing and showed up in the wee frosty hours to pitch in as runner, cleanup, trail hand and climbing instructor. We couldn't have done it without you, Neil... way to hang tough on SLAP... how sore are your abs?

Honorable mention of intentions to Marika, Joe and friend who showed up just as the trailwork frenzy was winding down... please come back and join us in the future. Sorry about the epic on Wintermute, Joe... and nice job on Early Retirement, M.

And, last but never least, thanks and kudos to my climbing partner and best friend, Michael Fisher, for showing up to brew strong coffee, snap pics, instruct, inform, inspire, ropegun and get 'er done. You're the best, dog.