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Rock climbers with disabilities have found a home in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge, which offers some pumpy crags.
Also, climbers have also been working to make West Virginia’s New River Gorge more inclusive.
And, a master craftsman, who makes one of a kind whitewater paddles, remembers some advice.
You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.
In This Episode:
The mountains of Appalachia are home to some killer rock climbing, but they’re also accessible for some groups who’ve felt excluded in the past.
Adaptive sports reporter Emily Chen-Newton covers athletes with disabilities. She brings us this story, exploring why climbing festivals are making a home in Appalachia.
In West Virginia, one of the most popular climbing destinations is the New River Gorge. Advanced rock climbers continue to pioneer new climbing routes there. The first people to climb these new routes are called “first ascensionists.” And they get the privilege of naming the routes. But what happens when dozens of those route names are plainly and clearly offensive?
In 2020 and 2021, Zack Harold followed the story of a climber at the New River Gorge who wanted to make the sport he loved more inclusive for his son.
Appalachia has several huge rivers — the New River, the Youghiogheny, the Pigeon — so, it’s no surprise whitewater paddling is popular across the region, but it wasn’t all that long ago that modern paddlers first started exploring these rivers, designing their own gear and even building their own paddles. Some of those DIY paddle makers became master crafters.
Folkways Reporter Clara Haizlett followed one.
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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Sturgeon Creek, Anthony Vega, Oakfield, the Delorian, Biba Dupont, Marissa Anderson, Tyler Childers, Jerry Douglas and John Blissard.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Zander Aloi is our associate producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
You can find us on Instagram, Threads and X @InAppalachia. Or here on Facebook.
Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
Financial leaders in the House of Delegates discuss the difference between the governor’s budget numbers and the budget state lawmakers are crafting at the Capitol now. Also, we hear the latest from our occasional series on the cosmos above West Virginia, "Almost Heavens."
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsOn this West Virginia Week, ICE arrests in West Virginia include 650 people, some lawmakers consider changing how residents vote, and rock climbers embrace the cold to scale a frozen waterfall.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsOn The Legislature This Week, House Finance leaders provide us with some insight into the state budget process. We also hear about lawmakers’ ideas to change local elections, as well as a bill restricting abortion medication in the Senate.
Continue Reading Take Me to More NewsWhile the West Virginia Legislature may consider hundreds of bills during the 60-day session, there is only one thing they are required by the state constitution to do and that is to pass a balanced budget. The state is not allowed to operate in a deficit. News Director Eric Douglas spoke with House Finance Committee Chair Vernon Criss, R-Wood, and Minority Chair of House Finance Del. John Williams, D-Monongalia, to discuss the process for creating the state budget.
Continue Reading Take Me to More News
