April 2025
Although I'm not much of a climber anymore, I still miss it and try to get out to feel real rock under my hands once in a while. And so a couple of months earlier I had contacted my friend Jeff about a short climbing trip to Red Rocks. Jeff was my primary alpine climbing partner for 10 years when we were doing awesome things in Canada and Alaska. Jeff and I have a somewhat unique dynamic. I generally will pitch an idea, however unlikely, and his short reply is usually, "I'm in." I like that.
Red Rocks is an amazing venue for rock climbing. A short distance from downtown Las Vegas lie thousands of technical climbing routes from easy single pitch sport to mega long, hard as nails trad routes and everything in between. It's supremely scenic and has creeks in some of the canyons. Quite Zion-like. It's really one of my favorite climbing venues. Seemed perfect for a couple old gray haired gumbies like us.
It was a fine few days of easy grades, great views, hands chock full of cactus needles and awesome rock.
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Day 1. Jeff approaching the belay on P1 of "Physical Graffiti" |
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Day 2. Beginning the approach up to First Creek Canyon and "Lotta Balls" | |
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| Riparian creekside oasis |
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| I'm leading the overhang on P1 of "Lotta Balls" P.C. Jeff |
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| Above the overhang on P1 of "Lotta Balls" P.C. Jeff |
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| Jeff above the overhang on "Lotta Balls" |
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| Lotta Balls wall is the dark wall in the middle of the image |
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| Lotta Balls Wall and Strawberry Hill |
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| Last Year it was $2 Hot Dog and beer, this year $3 |
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| We had time to visit the 'Speakeasy' under the Mob Museum |
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| Day 3. Looking out First Creek Canyon from the base of Strawberry Hill |
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| Jeff coming up P1 of "Berry Nice" on Strawberry Hill |
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| Jeff leading out on P2 of "Berry Nice". There were 3 more pitches after this. |
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| This is our rappel 3 on the descent. Our rope came up 30 meters short on the first rap so then had to build an intermediate anchor in a crack from a hanging stance. Glad I had some gear on me. To be fair the beta did say bring 2 x 60 meter ropes for the descent but it also said the first rap was 35 meters and we had a 70 meter rope. So there's that... This rap (3rd) was also a sticky pull. We had one more low angle dirty rap after this, then some class 3-4 scrambling to get back to our packs. If you do this route be aware! Also, if you do this route there is a sweet #3 C4 camalot, nut, alpine draw and 'biners about 30 meters down the first rap. Your welcome. |
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| But everything is better with a victory beer. Cottonwood Station in Blue Diamond. |
