Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Red Rocks! Vegas, Baby!

Rocktober is just around the corner!  Where are you going to get your send on?  Red Rocks!  Vegas, baby!  Could you think of a better fall destination for a brief climbing trip?!  As things start to get frosty on long routes at elevation in Colorado, the desert is just starting to get into prime time!



I have returned to Red Rocks again and again... to work... to play... to train... to CLIMB!  Situated right outside of Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a world class destination.  It is one of my favorite spots due to the immense volume and variety of climbing- excellent sport or trad climbing, world class lengthy multi-pitches, sun or shade, crack or face.  There are plenty of hard routes in Red Rocks, but it is particularly noted for having exceptional long moderate outings, with enjoyably sustained climbing of just the difficulty to meet any climber at the level they are at.  

Want a mellow, but enjoyably steep outing?  Bing, Cat in the Hat, with six pitches of 5.6 going up the stunning formation that is Mescalito.  Want to climb a route that takes all the juice you've got and all the light of the day?  Boom, Epinephrine, considered by many to to be the best 5.9 in the country, sucking you in with a monstrous 13 pitches.  Don't be scared off by rumors of endless chimneying- there are plenty of splitter cracks and endless corner systems in there too.  There are also many high quality cragging spots to work on your climbing or leading techniques and to rest your legs for the next big day out.      

One of the all time classics is the six pitch 5.8, Frogland, situated at the mouth of the astounding Black Velvet Canyon.  This climb has it all, pitch after pitch, with high end crack climbing, face climbing and corner climbing with a very cool tunnel through up high.  Oh, sooo good!  Below are some of the photos from a vertical adventure I had on it with two happy clients.

Colorado Mountain School has permits from October 22-31.  There are limited spots available, so please call the office now if you want secure a spot.  The friendly staff working in the office are happy to answer your questions and work with you to cater to your needs.  You can also learn more online here.

See you out there!

Rainbow Weinstock
Colorado Mountain School Guide





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