The path of Hurricane Helene had a profound effect on people's lives, homes, employment, infrastructure, and businesses in many of the communities we serve. The power of the storm also had a disastrous effect on several of our climbing access areas. Landslides, structural damage, and hundreds, if not thousands of downed trees block safe passage to many of our beloved climbing areas. Simultaneously, several individuals within our outdoor recreation community in the region find themselves without employment due to Helene. In response, CCC is proud to announce our ‘Hurricane Helene C4 Program’, a roughly two month program designed to combat loss of income for a few community members while rehabilitating our most affected climbing areas. Our C4 program (Carolina Climbing Conservation Corps) was founded during Covid-19 lay offs with a similar purpose; to provide employment to out of work individuals who were able to perform trail building tasks at various locations in the Carolinas.
How it Will Work:
- 3 positions available, 2 month contract at 18 hours/week, pay is $25/hour.
- Potential for extension of contract or additional positions as funding allows.
- Participants must provide their own transportation and ability to travel to work locations. We will work in areas such as Big Rock and Pumpkintown in SC, Buffalo Creek in Lake Lure, and potentially areas in the High Country as they open.
- Applicants with a USFS sawyer certification, trail building experience or equivalent are preferred. Applicants should be able to walk 2+ miles per day on uneven terrain and able to work a full day in the wilderness without quick access to comforts. Some heavy lifting and digging will be required, applicants should be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly.
To apply, send a one page email to info@carolinaclimbers.org about your experience. You may include how Helene has affected your employment. Applicants should include their past experience with CCC or with the outdoor recreation industry in our region. Applications must be in by Oct 25th. Start date will likely be Nov. 1. Participants will work November and December with potential for extension as funds allow.
In the aftermath of this storm, focusing on trail and climbing access may not seem like a dire need. However, our climbing lands provide sanctuary and mental respite for so many, in a time when that is so needed. The few areas in the region that are now accessible will be getting more visitation due to the closure of dozens of our outdoor climbing areas and climbing gyms in our region. The inability to access recreational lands also has ripple effects on the economy of the regions near the climbing areas we serve. The more we open up, the more we work together to combat the ripple effects of Hurricane Helene. The more out of work people in our community we can employ, the more our community can get back on its feet.
If you are not interested in applying but interested in helping, please donate here. If you are interested in on the ground help, please stay posted on our public events page here. | 
