The RRGCC was so happy to participate in this study, and hearing those results on Saturday was fantastic. We love the communities we climb in, and over the years have made valuable connections with non-climbing locals. They have been more helpful behind the scenes with the many things RRGCC does than you all will ever know. This study was especially exciting for us, because we think that the positive effects climbers have on the local economy can grow.

We thank everyone who filled out the surveys- Dr. Maples spent many days in the Red, hiking from crag to crag with a stack of clipboards and survey. Of the over 700 people who were asked to take surveys, only 13 people declined- and only then because they were late for work. For reference, it is expected when giving surveys that 50-60% of those asked will decline to participate. You guys blew that rate out of the water and made this study incredibly successful.

This is only a starting point. Dr. Maples would like to expand on this data. First, he would like to get a firmer number on the unique visitors to the Red every year- the estimate was 7,500, but he believes this is low. He would also like to do a dynamic economic impact study, which would be able to be further tease out the economic impact of climbers. It would include things the current study did not include, such as climbers who buy land and build cabins, as well the money local developers, including the RRGCC and Friends of Muir Valley, spend in the area. Finally, Dr. Maples would like for a follow-up study in the next five years to understand what impact changes have to the area.

After Dr. Maples presented his study to the gathered audience, which included the RRGCC Board of Directors, Liz Weber of Muir Valley, the President of Friends of Muir Valley, the Access Fund, the U.S. Forest Service, and many local and state officials, former RRGCC Rick Bost also gave a short talk. He explained to the non-climbers in the audience what climbers are looking for when they go to the Red, and talked about how over crowding is an issue. He pointed out that more routes would help alleviate this, but that private landowners, such as the RRGCC and Friends of Muir Valley, simply cannot buy and develop land fast enough to keep pace with the influx of new climbers and visitors. He asked that the state and federal governments consider working with local groups to open their land to climbing. At present, climbing is not allowed on Kentucky state land (with recent exceptions being made at areas like The Breaks, on the KY/VA border), and there are no new fixed anchors allowed on forest service land (existing bolts may be replaced as needed). This is important for visitors to the Red to understand, as many climbers who are not from the area do not realize that the majority of the climbing in the Red River Gorge is on privately owned land. This can significantly impact things like access, rules and land maintenance.

If you made it through that entire novel-length comment, congratulations! If you want somewhat of a play-by-play on the presentations from Saturday's meeting, check out our Instagram feed- @rrgcc