Many climbers consider Red
Rock Canyon’s Epinephrine (5.9 IV+) to be one of the best routes
of its grade in the world. With over fifteen pitches of climbing,
Epinephrine is a phenomenal route that places one in an incredible
position high above the Black Velvet Canyon.
Many look at the moderate 5.9 grade and believe that this route
will be a walk in the park. The reality is that Epi — as the locals
call it — is a route that includes significant difficulties that one
doesn’t often encounter on a regular day out at the crags. Indeed, the
route is known for one major feature: a long 5.9 chimney system.
The first third of Epinephrine is dominated by chimneys. These
chimneys are incredibly smooth inside. Some have even equated them to
glass. It often feels that the inch at a time gains inside the
chimneys might be lost at any moment from a mild slip or fall.
Difficult passage inside the chimneys are exacerbated by the fact that
the route is so big that a pack is absolutely necessary. To move
through the chimneys one must drag their pack between their legs.
Climbing the Chimneys on Epinephrine
Video by Richard Draves
Great Links for Information about Epinephrine:
Supertopo
Beta (Best Route Topo)
AAI Epinephrine
Trip Report
Los Alamos Mountaineers
Trip Report
Team Jammies
Trip Report
Trip Report from
Tradgirl.com
Camp4 Trip
Report
–Jason D. Martin