RRC Archives

captain static wrote:Found some RRG statistics while searching for something else: 1960 to 2004 - 1,575 SAR missions, 55 deaths, many of the deaths attributed to falls from cliffs.

Actually, Bill, I believe, according to Don Fig's reports subsequent to his retirement and mine to the KY Div of Emergency Mgmt, there have been 94 deaths and well over 1640 SAR missions since 1960. This is in the combined land of the Red River Gorge Geological Area and Clifty Wilderness that most regard as "The Gorge."

Not sure how to stay clear of the "rock climber" definition debate, but there have been only three deaths since 1960 involving... uh let's say persons climbing on rock in the "Gorge" who carried with them gear for leading trad climbs and who possessed technical rock climbing skills - the two from the 11/08 Lady Slipper accident and one back in the eighties.

After Don Fig's retirement as head of the RRGMRT for 45 years, the reorganized team made up of volunteers from the SAR and Fire/Rescue teams of the Wolfe/Powell/Menifee/Lee County areas within the "Gorge - continued with the SAR responsibility. The team has responded to dozens of SAR incidents in the Gorge since Nov '08, including eight deaths - 5 due to falls off cliffs.

Don Fig's charts and stats for SAR operations up through '05 can be seen at the website for the Red River Gorge Mountain Rescue Team: www.rrgmrt.org and a little more info at www.wcsart.org

Rick

what ever happened to people just playing badmitton?

This may seem a bit broad or a definition but the media definition of climbing (RRGwise) is any activity related to any other activity that takes place either directly inside of or anyplace outside of the gorge. For example - slipping on a pile of shit while walking to your tent at night is actually - a climbing fall. A drunken college kid puking is - a climbing related illness. A fat dude having a fatal heart attack while in the all you can eat breakfast buffet line at Natural Bridge - rock climber dies due to exposure and exhaustion - there's others out there too. You just have to know a little about journalism and creativity.

How does that compare to other climbing destinations like the New? I know it's higher at Seneca mostly due to rocks falling.

ynot wrote:How does that compare to other climbing destinations like the New? I know it's higher at Seneca mostly due to rocks falling.

YOSAR had 244 operations in 2009; RRGMRT had 36.

Those guys and gals out there in the Valley are miracle workers. Many of their rescues have been really hairy and done under extraordinarily bad conditions. Several rescuer legends on the team including Leader - John Dill. Good folks to look up to and learn from. For those interested in technical rope rescue training, contact Rigging for Rescue and train in Yosemite with the best of the best.

Check out YOSAR: http://www.friendsofyosar.org

ynp1 wrote:weber, you think my feelings on free soloing would change if i saw a dead body? I didnt quit driving after i have seen somebody dead in a car... I am unsure of the point you are trying to make... but, I do respect the fact that you are willing to the SAR work in the RRG. Thanks!

I think a better analogy would be whether you would stop speeding after having to pull a dead body out of a car that was wrecked in a speeding-related accident. Speeding is a subset of driving, and free soloing is a subset of climbing. I would think you'd likely stop speeding after the above mentioned scenario.

Clevis Hitch wrote:No, Sycophants! I wasn't saying anything about rick.

I was saying that about ynp and his arrogant statement about "purity". As far as understanding about what the word condesending means. Your saying I don't know what the word means is very condesending. I'll put my reading comprehension and word skills up against any one of you...

You should have quoted ynp1, then - don't blame others for reading your post as it was written.

weber, YOSAR is the shit! but that doesnt take away from anything you are doing in the RRG weber.

weber wrote:

captain static wrote:Found some RRG statistics...

Actually, Bill, I believe...
Rick

Thanks to both; great info/history Rick. And thanks for your commitment...

Russ