Economic Impact Study, Rumbling Bald

In coordination with the economics division of the College of Charleston, we will be organizing an economic impact study of Rumbling Bald. We hope to get a good idea of climber-based economic impact to the Hickory Nut Gorge region including the Town of Lake Lure and Village of Chimney Rock. 

Volunteers from now until April 2020 will be asking climbing visitors to fill out a survey. Please take 5 minutes to fill this out if you are there! We hope some of these numbers will help us gain partners in stewardship and access throughout Hickory Nut Gorge. Chimney Rock State Park reported that in 2019, there were nearly 13,000 climber permits filled out at Rumbling Bald. With the new parking lot, we expect that to only grow. We hope these numbers in addition to the economic impacts that visitors have, can help show the need for expanded permissible climber access and expanded stewardship needs in Hickory Nut Gorge and beyond! 

If interested in volunteering with the CCC for survey support, please contact Mike at mreardon@carolinaclimbers.org.