Solar slab in may

Curious as to whether it would be feasible to climb solar slab in early may? Want to put together a trip for a buddy who’s finishing college, which the primary goal to be some long moderate multi pitch. I’d be leading everything and I’m comfortable on 5.7-8 in the gunks.

John Goldmanwrote:

Curious as to whether it would be feasible to climb solar slab in early may? Want to put together a trip for a buddy who’s finishing college, which the primary goal to be some long moderate multi pitch. I’d be leading everything and I’m comfortable on 5.7-8 in the gunks.

It would be very hot and near unbearable.  The thing you don't think about is how hot your feet get.  All of that back rubber absorbs that sunlight and your feet BURN like crazy and it will get very painful.  Not recommended.  I climbed Johnny Vegas last April on a nice weather day and my feet were in a lot of pain from the sun.  Plenty of other great multipitches at RR in the shade that won't potentially give you heatstroke.

There's a lot of good 5.7 - 5.8 multipitch climbs in Red Rock.  The search tool on this site will be a good starting point.

May can get really warm, especially on a climb like Solar Slab which as its namesake suggests - gets some sun.

We did it on a sunny October day, the high in Vegas was 92 that day and we were on the summit about 1. I think that day was about to absolute limit of how hot I'm willing to get while climbing. We were on the terrace at the top of Johnny Vegas around 8 and it was already pretty dang hot.

If you are going to do it, park outside the park, be on route as early as possible (like 4am) bring more water than you think, and don't slow down for anything.

"Feasible", yes, but I wouldn't even go to Red Rocks in May. It's not the best time to go to Red Rock, and there are a dozen world-class climbing destinations where it IS the best time to go.

If you want to do long multipitch that time of year, the Northeast has some decent options, i.e. The Diagonal or Moby Grape. Or you could try to hit Red Rocks sooner (December/January would be an excellent time to hit Solar Slab).

Totally feasible, but don't day climb it, night climb it. Park outside of the loop. Do the whole "day" by headlamp. So know well the route and decent you plan to take, have a lot of batteries and a backup headlamp each.

(We sell headlamps, BTW).

Night climbing in RR during the late spring/summer is where it's at. Temps are perfect and climbing with just your headlamp illuminating what it can with the glitzy backdrop of Vegas... I mean damn that's cool. Plus the wildlife is generally more active at night...what's not to love?

Dark Shadows and Frogland would be better choices as they are north facing. They’re classics that are in your rating window and mobbed with people during the high season.  May, being a bit off season, would be a good time to do them. 

Thanks for all the responses! Sounds like dark shadows and some others, and then solar slab at night could make for a great trip.

You can also do Tunnel Vision. I did it in early July 4th 2 years ago and it was in the shade for most of the day. Plus there are two caves you can chill out in to cool down if needed. If you are used the dry desert heat you should be fine.