It is nearly the middle of December, which means I have spent roughly the past three months climbing and guiding near Las Vegas, NV, in the hills and canyons of Red Rock National Conservation Area. During these short three months, I have explored the plethora of rock that Red Rock has to offer, and have discovered a few things. The following photo essay outlines some of the personal discoveries I have made about this amazing place.
1. Red Rock has extremely ideal opportunities for teaching and learning how to build anchors – from sport climbing to trad.
Bryan Winther setting up an anchor after leading his first sport climb on a 5.7 route on the Upper Hamlet Wall
2. Red Rock has climbing for all ability and age levels!
Mother and 8-year-old son working together as belayer and climber at the family friendly Lower Hamlet Crag
3. Red Rock has some of the longest, most moderate multi-pitch lines I have come across.
Dillon Chen climbing a 5.8 heavily featured corner on Epinephrine, with roughly 1000′ of air below him
4. Red Rock is a great place to climb with your partner.
Jennifer and John are all smiles on the second pitch of Frogland, 5.8 – an area classic
5. Red Rock is a great place to climb with your college buddy!
Nancy and Kim, college buddies of 20+ years, at the top of the first pitch on the 6 pitch classic – Cat in The Hat, 5.7
6. Red Rock has seemingly limitless rock, and opportunity for first-ascents abounds!
Looking at pitch 3 and 4 of Frigid Air Buttress on the right, with endless beautiful rock and cracks on the left
7. Red Rock is a great place to push your grade, and your limits.
Doug Foust leading a crux 5.9+ finger crack through heavily varnished rock.
8. Red Rock has some of the most beautiful rock I have ever seen.
Christie Galitsky climbs through the third pitch of Armatron, on what seems like handmade bricks of perfectly patinaed sandstone
9. Red Rock is unique in that on the same climb you can face climb on excellent edges, jam on stellar cracks, or a combination of both.
Patrick Harris enjoying his first attempt at crack climbing, before transitioning onto the featured face of pitch three on Ginger Cracks, 5.9
10. Red Rock climbing makes me happy!
Doug Foust, the author, and Walter Larkins enjoying a summit shot on top of Frigid Air Buttress
All of these photos were taken in the past few months, with too many more to share. I feel so blessed and thankful to be working here through the Winter and Spring, and want to share this amazing place with as many people as I can. The weather has been beyond stellar, with many days this December forcing me to seek shade because it was a little too warm in the sun.
I know this blog gets readers from across the country and the world – so let me repeat that slowly and more clearly: There is sun and warmth in Red Rock, NV, even in the middle of winter. Perhaps I’m more astonished by this seeing as I spent my past few winters in the Pacific Northwest’s winter, but I’m just excited to spend the next 5 months of my life in this wonderful playground of rock. Come join me!
-Andrew Yasso
Lead Rock Guide – Red Rock, NV