​The idea behind the first (Not) Work Week began in 2014. This was when Gene Kistler created the equation, work + fun = not work, thus the creation of (Not) Work Week.
 
This year, when Gene came up with the most complex project of them all, we felt like we’d been prepping for this one for the last nine years.
 
We knew this project would require special materials and extra funds. Bryan Simon, NRAC board member, secured grant funding for the project through the Access Fund and American Alpine Club.
 
Weeks before the event, Gene rallied local climbers for at least a week’s worth of prep work, including loading and unloading 50 timbers onto the barge to make their way to the project site at Whippoorwill. He lined up a specialty crew of volunteers with rock masonry, trail construction, and project management skills. The National Park Service offered up their tools and a trail crew member to help.

​This year’s (Not) Work Week started out muddy and rainy. When we say muddy, we mean folks were covered head to toe. Andrew Jordan demonstrated his willingness to get dirty immediately, setting the standard for the rest of the week.

Each day started with coffee from Ranger Finder Coffee and a pep talk from Gene, where he described the day’s objectives and told us not to get hurt. He said “bungle” at least once ​​daily when describing the terrain. #IYKYK, and if you don’t know, that’s okay – it just means we were working with rocky terrain.
 
Our progress was slow from the start. We thought our project might take longer than planned, and then BAM… A super strong crew of volunteers were picking up and sliding precast stairs weighing 465 lbs. down a makeshift slide made from a piece of culvert cut in half. It felt like we might even construct a pyramid. Volunteers were moving so quickly!

Keith Marretta started busting out timber stairs like it was his job. But remember, it wasn’t because this is (Not) Work Week after all. By the end of the week, 44 timber stairs made their way into the ground, and 20 precast stairs led the way to the top of the Whippoorwill approach trail.

Each day, our buddies Cote Womack and Darek Czarnecki with the Army Corps of Engineers delivered load after load of gravel on two barges to Whippoorwill so we could fill 64 gabions with tons of gravel. How many trail workdays have you heard of that included not one but TWO barges?! Props to those who spent time shoveling gravel into the gabions. This is truly back-breaking work!
 
The entire week wasn’t just about working our butts off but also about making new friends and catching up with old ones. Some volunteers returned for their 5th year in a row! We made new friends from Ohio, Virginia, and North Carolina. We also had the chance to finally meet community members who recently bought homes or moved to the area! 

​Each night we had dinner together, family style. Local restaurants provided food at Burnwood Campground, and community members hosted us in their homes on other nights. A big shout-out goes to the Kistlers, Crumms, Fussells, and Chabers for hosting!
 
We wrapped up the week at Bridge Brew Works with a BIG F*@&ING PARTY, aka the BFP. Our buddies at Cast Iron Smokers made food while a local band, Kid Cherry and the Graduates, played music.
 
It feels hard to explain why (Not) Work Week is so special and why this year felt more special than all the others. Moving dirt, shoveling gravel, smashing rocks, and building stairs seem simple, but when you combine that with a badass crew of volunteers and an enormous volunteer community effort, it feels like we’re making history.
 
Thank you to everyone who made this year’s (Not) Work Week the best one yet! We can’t wait for next year!

​𝘚𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦!!

As the warmer weather arrives, we know that you are gearing up for sport climbing season here at the gorge!

With that being said, We want to highlight some important 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘴 to help keep you safe and prepared this season! After all, no matter how experienced of a climber you are it is always good to go back to the basics.

We know there are many things out of our own control when it comes to safety, but what about the things we can control?

𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻: This may seem simple, but make sure to have a plan in place if someone gets injured, the weather changes or the day out is taking longer than expected. Always make sure someone else knows your trip plans.
𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲: Research ahead of time about the area you are visiting and the routes you want to climb. Be sure to have all the appropriate gear you will need and be sure you are comfortable with how to use it.
𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱:Outside conditions such as wind or flowing water can make communication much more difficult, be sure to have a nonverbal communication plan that everyone understands.
𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗲𝗮𝗿: Double-check your and your partner's knots, harness, gear, and all other safety devices.
𝗧𝗶𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Tie a knot at the end of your rope when lowering and belaying.

We hope you have a fun and safe spring season!

𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿!

​The Dr. Paul Nelson Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a student-climber who exemplifies the passion that defined Paul’s life and contributions to the New River Gorge region. It's not too late to apply for the scholarship! 

CRITERIA:  

1. Student must be a climber who regularly visits the New River Gorge National Park and associated climbing areas (Meadow River Gorge, Summersville Lake).
2. Student must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (please include a copy of your transcript or grade report).
3. Student must be a United States citizen or resident alien. 
4. Student must be enrolled on a full-time basis as an undergraduate or full/part-time basis as a graduate student. Preference will be given to students with history, music, teaching, or outdoor recreation majors, although all disciplines will be considered.

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