What Happens in Vegas…

Sometimes opportunity comes knocking at your door, and turning it down would be absolutely senseless.  That’s how this trip came about, and I can’t even begin to explain the incredible experience that I had while climbing in Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas, NV.  It was my first climbing trip, so who better to go on it with than Mike Jewell, the man who introduced me to rock climbing nearly eight years ago through Kismet Rock Foundation.

Mike made sure that I would have the best climbing trip I could possibly imagine, we got on 12 different climbs, climbed 38 pitches, totaling in over 4800 vertical feet; without a single rest day.  

The main focus was the classic climbs, including Dark Shadows (5.8), Cat in the Hat (5.7) with a variation recently established by Joanne Urioste called Ebony Way that combines The Cookie Monster (5.7) and Pauline’s Pentacle (5.9) as a start; Sensuous Mortician (5.9), Fold Out (5.8), Olive Oil (5.7), Frogland (5.8), Dream of Wild Turkeys (5.10a), Great Red Book (5.8) and Geronimo (5.6), as well as some sport at the Black Corridor; Vagabonds (5.10a) and Bon EZ (5.9+).

We stayed with Mike’s friend Teresa, her husband John and her pets Rosceaux, Pebbles, Drake, Reggie and Chucky.  There was also a great deal of time spent with the Urioste’s and their dog Pepper.  The hospitality we received was like no other. 

On the way to the airport, Mike drove me down Las Vegas Boulevard to see the strip.  Just to say that I saw it.  The stark contrast between the lights of the casinos and the sandstone cliffs I had just spent my spring break on was inconceivable.  It’s sad to think that the people in the casinos are missing out on such a natural gem just beyond the city. 

It was nine days packed with climbing and good company that I’ll be reminiscing about for the rest of my life. 

Pictures don’t do this trip any justice, but I will try:

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