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Post by Greg Stamper on Dec 25, 2018 23:32:00 GMT -5
Man dressed in red rescued from Chimney Top Rock A man with a white beard, dressed in a red suit and hat, was freed from a crack in Red River Gorge Monday night By Erin O'Neil | December 25, 2018 at 6:34 PM EST - Updated December 25 at 6:52 PM WOLFE COUNTY, KY (WAVE) - The Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team has rescued a white-bearded man wearing a red suit and hat from Chimney Top Rock in Red River Gorge. Last night (Christmas Eve) around 7:15 p.m., a rescue team was deployed to search for a lost subject--a man who was reportedly stuck in a crack shaped like a chimney in Red River Gorge. Dispatchers attempted to call the man back after his initial 911 call but were unable to reach him, due to what they think was poor cell service in the area. It was reported that the man was driving a red vehicle with Canadian plates. The subject was finally located trapped in a crack at Chimney Top Rock. Despite being stranded, the man was uninjured and reported to be in jolly spirits. A high angle rope rescue team was deployed, who, despite cold, dark conditions and a difficult terrain, rescued the man dressed in red around 8:30 p.m. Once freed, the man explained that he was familiar with his route, and did not need to bring a map, compass or any other navigation equipment, as he had made several chimney trips each year on Christmas Eve for quite some time. He also stated that he was an expert in exploring chimneys. Read More: www.wave3.com/2018/12/25/man-dressed-red-rescued-chimney-top-rock/
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Post by Greg Stamper on Dec 22, 2018 5:26:26 GMT -5
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Post by Greg Stamper on Apr 24, 2018 22:55:24 GMT -5
Very Cool! Thanks for sharing. I love these.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Apr 19, 2017 0:33:21 GMT -5
First have a look here and see if anything strikes your fancy: toredrivergorge.com/I personally am a big believer in the Auxier Ridge Area Hike. At 7+ miles long that could be broken up slowly to fit your needs.
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Post by Greg Stamper on Feb 18, 2017 1:02:09 GMT -5
POWELL CO., Ky. (WKYT) - With spring-like weather in the forecast for the weekend, many people likely will head to Red River Gorge to enjoy the outdoors. But U.S. Forest Service leaders have a warning for them. With spring forest fire season underway, they want people to be careful with their campfires. Cordell Taylor, Daniel Boone National Forest fire management officer with the U.S. Forest Service, said low humidity and strong wind gusts can quickly spark a fire out of control, especially when the leaf litter is as dry as it is right now. Friday's fire danger risk was considered "Extreme." That was up from "Very High" on Thursday. www.wkyt.com/content/news/Red-River-Gorge-campers-cautioned-to-control-campfires-414141563.html
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Post by Greg Stamper on Jan 28, 2017 1:47:20 GMT -5
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Post by Greg Stamper on Jan 24, 2017 10:48:24 GMT -5
A Night at Red River Gorge, Kentucky A Time Lapse Video - - -
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Post by Greg Stamper on Dec 11, 2016 2:09:27 GMT -5
Published on Nov 14, 2016
On November 18, 1967, one of Kentucky’s most scenic and treasured wilderness areas was poised to become Red River Lake. The pivotal visit by U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas placed the local controversy into the national spotlight. Covered by CBS News, TIME Magazine and others, the battle endured for years between environmental factions, dam proponents, as well as state and federal officials ... with Powell County flood control in the balance. Today, this chapter of Red River Gorge and Kentucky’s natural history is largely forgotten, but is retold by the voices that made it happen.
Produced by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife, Charlie Baglan. The program features: Oscar Geralds and Carroll Tichenor -Sierra Club, Governor Julian Carroll, Dr. Bill Martin - Eastern Kentucky University, Judge Sara Combs - widow of Governor Bert T. Combs, Cory Graham - Powell County Flood Plane Coordinator, climbers, backpackers, visitors to The Red at Miguel's Pizza, and Tim Eling - Daniel Boone National Forest.
YouTube Audio Link:
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Post by Greg Stamper on Nov 18, 2016 8:09:08 GMT -5
Stopping the Red River Dam: It's Been Almost a Half Century by Greg Stotelmyer , Public News Service - KY November 18. 2016 STANTON, Ky. – A pivotal moment in stopping a controversial plan to dam the Red River, part of which is now Kentucky's only National Wild and Scenic River, happened 49 years ago today. Nearly a half-century later, it's still vividly remembered by many as a watershed moment in the lengthy, contentious fight to conserve the Red River. Sierra Club lawyer Oscar Geralds is 87, but Nov. 18, 1967 remains fresh in his mind. "Oh yeah, oh yeah, it was quite a day," he said. That day, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas hiked deep into the Red River Gorge in the Daniel Boone National Forest to see for himself what damage could be done if the federal government went ahead with a flood-control project to dam the river and create a reservoir. Geralds, a longtime Sierra Club lawyer, was leading 15 Boy Scouts on a hike when they met Douglas on the trail. "Well, I think that gave us the publicity we needed for people to notice it," Geralds said. "People learned about it and then became concerned about it." The project, initially authorized by Congress in 1962, was stopped eventually, and in 1993 that part of the Red that runs through the gorge was designated a National Wild and Scenic River, the only one in Kentucky. Powell County resident Joe Bowen also was there that pivotal day 49 years ago, in support of the Army Corps of Engineers' plan to build a dam and create a lake. Time has changed his mind. "I'm glad it didn't happen, absolutely," Bowen said. "Mother Nature does a better job than us humans do." Bowen now lives in a valley just a thousand feet from the river, where he runs a bed and breakfast, just a few miles from the cliffs and arches of the Red River Gorge. "It is a spectacular place," he added. "I've seen this country and I really do believe that this is as pretty as it gets. And there's are a lot of beautiful places out there." Greg Stotelmyer , Public News Service - KY www.publicnewsservice.org/2016-11-18/civic-engagement/stopping-the-red-river-dam-its-been-almost-a-half-century/a54242-1
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Post by Greg Stamper on Nov 8, 2016 6:37:12 GMT -5
US Forest Service to Enforce Campfire Restrictions Posted: Nov 07, 2016 10:48 PM EST Updated: Nov 08, 2016 5:35 AM EST POWELL COUNTY, KY (LEX 18) - Dozens of fires continue to burn in a number of Eastern Kentucky counties, spanning hundreds, if not thousands, of acres. From Menifee to Clay county, fire crews had their hands full Monday in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Rangers said they were fighting more than ten fires. With drought conditions, they don't expect things to get any better. "Until we get a break in the weather and get some rain, it's very difficult to get the fires completely out," said Tim Eling, Red River Gorge manager. One problem spot for fire crews Monday was in Powell county off Tunnel Ridge Road.The fire covered only 10 acres of the Red River Gorge in the morning. By nighttime, crews estimate it was closer to 300 acres. "It's easy for the fuel on the ground to catch fire," said Eling. "Whether it's the falling leaves or just logs and things that are on the ground, it's difficult to put it out." While fire investigators don't know yet what started this fire in the red river gorge, they said there's a very good chance it could be because of an escaped camp fire. They're now stressing, more than ever, to pay attention to any restrictions. "It's unusual to put in these kind of restrictions," Eling said. "We have done it before, but it's been several years." The US Forest Service said all open flames are now banned in Daniel Boone National Forest. Any person caught doing otherwise will face a $300 fine. Campers can have fires in metal rings or grills at campsites. "We haven't had any fires at our campsite," said camper Christopher Crump. "We're both old eagle scouts so we know better." Fire restrictions will stay in place until rangers believe the conditions are better. Burn bans are in effect for 50 counties in the Bluegrass. www.lex18.com/story/33653429/us-forest-service-to-enforce-campfire-restrictions
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Post by Greg Stamper on Nov 6, 2016 22:54:04 GMT -5
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Post by Greg Stamper on Nov 5, 2016 6:29:06 GMT -5
National Forest Service Concerned About Wildfires Starting in Central Kentucky by Veronica Jean Seltzer 11/04/2016 - 11:41pm -------- Video Link: www.wtvq.com/2016/11/04/national-forest-service-concerned-wildfires-starting-central-kentucky/-------- RED RIVER GORGE (WTVQ)- Dangerous forest fires continue to burn in eastern and southern Kentucky with more counties and parks choosing to enforce burn bans. Forest officials in Red River Gorge say they are worried we could see wildfires in this part of the state. Even with the bit of rain we had Thursday, leaves are still crisp and ready to burn so forest officials say they are relying on you to prevent fire. To the well trained ear, the leaves in Red River Gorge are crunchier than the typical fall vegetation. “You can see how hard and compact that soil is,” Melissa Yunas said, patting the ground. She is here all the way from Florida. She helped California with its wild fires. Now, she is trying to do the same in Kentucky. She is walking around with gorge manager Tim Eling to get word out about the burn ban they hope will prevent wildfire. Right now, campers in the gorge can only make fires in the locations where the staff has installed grills or metal rings. “One little wildfire could destroy homes. One little wildfire could easily hurt a firefighter or trap some campers inside here,” Yunas said. The forest service says even a fire inside a rock circle is unacceptable because leaves are so close by. “Really easy for the fire to escape,” Eling said. Campers are allowed to use stoves. “I’m okay with it honestly. I’d much rather have a fun time and come back next weekend than have the trail closed for a year because it’s burnt,” Denver Little, a camper, said. There are now burn bans in more than 30 counties according to the state. The division of forestry has gotten reports of 49 fires burning over 6,000 acres. The Kentucky National Guard is flying eight helicopters to help drop water over the fires to our east. It is something Red River Gorge visitors say they will do their best to prevent here. “There’s not very many places left where you can just camp and backpack without worrying about it and, to me, I’d hate to be the guy who ruins that,” Jamie Reising, a camper from Ohio, said. The Red Cross is now offering help too to people in the areas fighting wildfires. The group is setting up five shelters in Harlan, Knox, and Letcher counties. www.wtvq.com/2016/11/04/national-forest-service-concerned-wildfires-starting-central-kentucky/
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Post by Greg Stamper on Oct 7, 2016 16:48:29 GMT -5
Kentucky's blooming goldenrod no longer needs protection AP , WHAS 1:12 PM. CDT October 07, 2016 LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - After nearly 30 years of conservation efforts, the U.S. Forest Service says it has removed the white-haired goldenrod from a list of federally-protected plants. The fall-blooming perennial flower was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1988 after nearly disappearing from the Red River Gorge area of eastern Kentucky, which is the only place it grows. The Forest Service said in a statement on Friday that it made a final decision to delist the plant after a comprehensive review found it blooming in abundance. A recovery plan for the goldenrod stated it should be considered for delisting when 40 geographically distinct, self-sustaining occurrences have been maintained for a decade. The statement says there are now 46 occurrences. Forestry officials will continue to monitor the plant. www.whas11.com/news/local/kentuckys-blooming-goldenrod-no-longer-needs-protection/329979312www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/elist/eListRead/white-haired_goldenrods_thriving_again_kentuckys_red_river_gorge/
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Post by Greg Stamper on Sept 20, 2016 1:04:50 GMT -5
Hikers come across black bear in Red River Gorge By Mike Linden | Posted: Mon 3:05 PM, Sep 19, 2016 | Updated: Mon 5:24 PM, Sep 19, 2016 WOLFE COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Just before 8 p.m. Saturday, two hikers spotted a black bear near the Chimney Top recreation area in the Red River Gorge in Wolfe County. After a few minutes on the phone with Menifee County 911, the bear eventually walked away. According to Daniel Boone National Forest officials, it's rare to see a bear as far north in Kentucky as the Red River Gorge. They say the most likely reason why the black bear was so close to the area was to find food. "There is a saying, 'a fed bear is a dead bear,' because if a bear gets used to getting human food it's going to potentially get more aggressive," Red River Gorge Manager Tim Eling said. Eiling says to always store food away from your campsite and hang it at least ten feet above the ground. www.wkyt.com/content/news/Hikers-come-across-black-bear-in-Red-River-Gorge-394018271.html
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Post by Greg Stamper on Aug 16, 2016 5:59:47 GMT -5
Rescue crews come to aid of German Shepherd in Red River Gorge By Victor Puente Posted: Mon 6:06 PM, Aug 15, 2016 | Updated: Mon 9:46 PM, Aug 15, 2016 POWELL COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Search and rescue crews from two different counties helped a hiker after her dog collapsed in the Red River Gorge. Dispatchers received the call just before 10pm Sunday night. They say a hiker sent her father to get help after her 130-pound German Shepherd, Axl, collapsed and fell down an embankment while hiking on Auxier Ridge Trail. "Heat exhaustion and overweight was probably the main concern for the dog," said Mike Sparks with Powell County Search and Rescue. Search and rescue crews from neighboring Wolfe County helped with the effort. Sparks says another group of hikers had a tarp and they were able to carry Axl about three miles before rescuers found them. "The first initial crew was actually able to help pack the dog out to the service road," he said. Axl is expected to recover, but Sparks says the heat can be deadly for dogs on the long trails. "Back in July around the 27th we had one go down on the trail and unfortunately it was heat exhaustion and stroke and we couldn't revive it." He said Axl's owner planned to take him to the vet once they returned home to Ohio. He suggest owners either walk their dogs in the morning while it's cool or wait until the fall. www.wkyt.com/content/news/Rescue-crews-come-to-aid-of-German-Shepard-in-Red-River-Gorge-390242962.html
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