The Red River Gorge region of Kentucky is one of the most popular climbing destinations in the world. But popularity has its drawbacks. High visitation puts massive pressure on sensitive landscapes, leading to erosion, destabilized slopes, tree damage, and vegetation loss. Unless climbers join together to take care of these incredible landscapes, we could ultimately lose access to beloved crags.

This month, we saw clearly that climbers are ready to step up to protect the Red by investing in recreation infrastructure and visitor education to ensure sustainable climbing access into the future.

Red River Gorge Climber Stewards Emma Paden and Nick Hollander.

Access Fund and the Red River Gorge Climbers Coalition (RRGCC) teamed up to launch the Red River Gorge Climbing Conservation Initiative with the support of everyday climbers around the country. This new initiative will put a team of Access Fund Climber Stewards on the ground at popular crags to educate visitors about minimizing their impacts and send an Access Fund Conservation Team to install sustainable climbing infrastructure, fix eroding access trails and base areas, and mitigate climber impacts. Climbers from around the country came together to raise more than $30,000 in grassroots donations to get the new program up and running.

“Any time humans are out on the land there will be environmental impact, and climbing is no exception,” says Access Fund stewardship manager Andrea Hassler. “Our Climber Stewards and Conservation Teams have the tools and expertise to help climbing communities around the country manage their environmental impacts so that climbing landscapes like the Red can thrive.”

Launched on Friday, September 8, the Red River Gorge Climber Stewards join successful programs already running in Indian Creek and the New River Gorge.

Want to be sure you have the latest Red River Gorge beta, and grab some free coffee, too? Find the Access Fund Climber Stewards at the following locations on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9am until noon:

  • Daniel Boone National Forest: Martins Fork

  • RRGCC Properties: PMRP & Miller Fork

  • Muir Valley Parking Area

Special Thanks

Special thanks to our lead sponsor: Roy and Barbara Adams Remainder Trust

Thanks to our supporting partners: Blue Ridge Charitable Trust, John Connor & The Climbing Stewards, National Forest Foundation, Daniel Boone National Forest, Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition, Friends of Muir Valley, and Eye of the Red.

Thanks to our Climbers Stewards sponsors: Adidas Terrex, Alpine Start, YETI, SCARPA, GU, Rock Creek Outfitters, Liberty Mountain, and Mammut.

Thanks to our Conservation Teams sponsors: La Sportiva, Adidas Terrex, Rock/Creek, GU, and YETI.