GET INVOLVED
GET INVOLVED
Photo by Karen Lane
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 16
Top-Out Taproom: AccessFund/NRAC - Meet & Greet
Thursday, April 16, 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
An opportunity to meet and discuss the happenings of Access and Stewardship in the NRG
Location:
Waterstone Outdoors
More event details can be found here
Photos by Karen Lane
April 23
Top-Out Taproom: Climbing Movie Night At Ascend
Thursday, April 23, 2026
6:30 PM 8:30 PM
Come hang out with fellow climbers and friends at the Ascend Building. We’ll be playing a new climbing movie. Bring snacks and your own chair...and if you have a pop corn machine you’d be willing to donate, please message nsmith@newriverclimbing.net
Location: Ascend Building, 200 W Wiseman Ave
May 9-16
(Not) Work Week 2026 at Junkyard Wall
Saturday, May 9th - Saturday, May 16th
We will focus on enhancing the approach trail and belay zones at the Junkyard Wall!
Event Sign-Up - Open Now, Click here !
Camping Location:
Burnwood Campground - Free Camping
More event details can be found by scrolling on down, hope to see you for the action in May!
Join an NRAC Committee
Our committees are made up of dedicated local volunteers who care deeply about protecting and improving our climbing areas. Each committee focuses on a specific area of NRAC’s mission and works together to plan, advise, and take action. Getting involved is one of the most impactful ways you can support our work. Whether you have a few hours a month or a special skill to share, there’s a place for you. Reach out to a committee chair today to learn more about how you can make a difference in your climbing community.
This committee’s purpose is to engage with and educate the climbing community of the New River Gorge region and celebrate our climbing and natural resources. Engagement is through communication channels including digital content, in-person interactions, print media, and signage. NRAC has its own voice, but also coordinates messaging with our partners. Communications focus on climbing access and conservation efforts, highlighting the protection and sustainability of the varied disciplines of climbing and the natural areas where our climbing is enjoyed.
Some things we do:
Coordinate a dialogue with the community and other NRAC committees
Develop educational social media campaigns
Assist in the promotion of community events
Create media, designs, photography, and visual storytelling assets
Expand our communication networks - social, website, print
Nick Smith - Committee Chair
nsmith@newriverclimbing.net
Outreach Committee
This committee’s purpose is to preserve, enhance, and expand the “climbing” trail network within the region. We seek to provide safe, accessible, and sustainable trails for all climbers. The committee works closely with local government agencies, local organizations and volunteers to promote environmental stewardship, trail construction and trail maintenance. We aim to create and maintain trails that connect climbers to the climbing areas and to support the overall well-being of our community.
Some things we do:
Organize (Not) Work Week
Work with other local organizations and park systems to establish and maintain trail systems
Sam Chaber - Committee Chair
schaber@newriverclimbing.net
Trails Committee
This committee's purpose is to advocate for inclusivity in the climbing community and help ensure that people from diverse backgrounds and/or underrepresented groups have access to climbing experiences and opportunities.
Some things we do:
Organize and develop NRAC Grants & Scholarships
Coordinate with community members to keep these resources accessible
Elena Fouch-Watson - Committee Chair
elena@newriverclimbing.net
Philanthropy Committee
This committee's purpose is to oversee the selection and maintenance of climbing hardware and infrastructure. This includes evaluating standards, ensuring compliance with regulations, and promoting the use of sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. The committee will educate climbers about proper hardware specifications, usage, and maintenance practices while maintaining the New River Gorge region's traditional ethics.
Some things we do:
Replace bad bolts
Replace permadraws
Organize re-bolting efforts
Nick Smith - Committee Chair
nsmith@newriverclimbing.net
Hardware Committee
This committee's purpose is to organize events throughout the year that encourage opportunity for camaraderie between climbers, create an opportunity for community service, and generate involvement with NRAC. This committee aims to open a dialogue between members of the community and NRAC.
Some things we do:
Organize local events
Brainstorm and create new events
Impliment feedback from our community
Lisa Podlecki - Committee Chair
lapodlec@gmail.com
Event Committee
This committee’s purpose is to identify fundraising needs and goals of NRAC, expand the resources available to us, and broaden the influence of the NRAC by fostering relationships with private individuals, organizations and businesses.
Some things we do:
Donor Acknowledgement & Appreciation
Grant Writing & Research
Special Fundraising Campaigns
Sponsor recruitment
Committee Chair - TBD
Development Committee
This committee’s purpose is to foster relationships between NRAC (as a representative of the climbing community) and land managers/owners to preserve, improve and expand access to climbing in the New River Gorge Region. We aim to inform and educate climbers on access related issues working alongside the Outreach committee.
Some things we do:
Coordinate relationships with landowners and the Access Fund
Stay up-to-date on the ever changing landscape of our climbing access
Make this information accessible to all climbers
Aaron Schneider - Committee Chair
ajschnmd@gmail.com
Access & Advocacy
Committee
Photo by Karen Lane
What is (Not) Work Week?
(Not) Work Week is our largest volunteer-led trail-building project of the year! This annual week-long stewardship project is dedicated to preserving the places we love while building community and inspiring future action.
Completed (Not) Work Week Projects:
Rebuilt the Kaymoor Trail from the Hole to Butcher's Branch.
Installed fencing and revegetated both Bridge Buttress and Junkyard Wall.
Installed risers at Junkyard Wall, erasing the crag’s namesake trash heap once and for all.
Reimagined and rebuilt the Tattoo Wall Trail at Sandstonia.
Completed an entirely new trail connecting the American Alpine Club campground to climbing at North Bridge
Terraced and fenced the landing zone at Butcher's Branch.
Built a trail connecting Butcher’s Branch Climbing Access Trail to White Wall and all the way to The Hole
Improved access and prevented further erosion at Whippoorwill by installing 64 gabions, constructing 44 timber stairs, installing 20 precast stairs, and enhancing staging areas below popular climbing routes.
Terraced eroding Orange Oswald crag saving multiple BIG trees and placing concrete blocks for long-term erosion prevention.
NRAC’s Annual Events
Photos by Karen Lane
(Not) Work Week May 2026
Wanna Join? Volunteer Sign-up Here!
Saturday, May 9th - Saturday, May 16th, 2026 We will focus on enhancing the approach trail and belay zones at the Junkyard Wall!
Trail Work Location:
Junkyard Wall
Camping Location:
Burnwood Campground - Free Camping
83 Burnwood Campground Rd.
Lansing, WV 25862
Workday Schedule:
7:30 am - 8:30 am: Registration and breakfast at Burnwood Campground. Volunteers can grab a warm cup of coffee, their event t-shirt, and free schwag from our brand sponsors.
9:00 am - 3:00 pm: Let's get after it! We will head to Junkyard and spend the day building trails and making history.
3:00 pm: Relax, climb, take a dip in the river- whatever your heart calls to. This is unstructured play/unwind time.
7:00 pm: Dinner is provided to all volunteers. Locations will be announced at breakfast each morning.
What to Bring: Work gloves, water, snacks, camping equipment (free camping at Burnwood Campground)
What to Wear: Closed-toe shoes, weather-appropriate clothes
Important Camping Information:
Tents should be placed near the pavilion on the left
Bathrooms on site (pit toilets)
No showers on site - but there are a couple close by, we’ll give you the beta
Campers must follow all NPS regulations
Our 2026 (Not) Work Week Partnerships & Sponsors
Artwork by ND Tank
In 2026, we’re looking forward to turning our focus back to the National Park and look forward to working with NPS on this year’s (Not) Work Week.
Wondering who keeps our volunteers happy and well-fed during this event? A huge thanks go out to the following climbing gyms and brands for their support and dedication to preserving climbing areas around the New River Gorge.
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