Stashing Gear In Red Rocks

I am going out to Red Rocks in a few weeks and Epinephrine is on the to-do list. The day before my partner and I were going to hike out to scope the approach and hit Triassic Sands and FrogLand. Is it poor form to stash rope and gear at the base of Epi if we are going to go out first thing next morning? Also what is the best start time for a Friday send of Epi? We are experience multipitch climbers and can move pretty well (which probably means we are confirmed for an epic now that I put it out there). We are hoping to simul / link alot of the pitches. 

I think that you'd be taking your chances with theft if you leave gear in that wash. The hike into the canyon isn't very long so I wouldn't risk it.              

J B wrote: I think that you'd be taking your chances with theft if you leave gear in that wash. The hike into the canyon isn't very long so I wouldn't risk it.              

Sounds good! How much time should we budget for the approach? I figured since lots of people end up coming down in the dark maybe this wouldnt be an issue. 

45 minute approach for an average person like me.  The descent doesn't come back down through the wash.  Only people bailing off Epi or doing other routes come back out this way.  

Define first thing in the morning ...

The best time to start ... before everyone else joins the conga line. See above about defining first thing in the morning..

Yes you will epic cause ya jinxed yourself.

Red Rocks, stashed gear == booty.

Allen Sanderson wrote:

Define first thing in the morning ...

The best time to start ... before everyone else joins the conga line. See above about defining first thing in the morning..

Yes you will epic cause ya jinxed yourself.

Red Rocks, stashed gear == booty.

Hahaha ok good shout, not trying to donate any booty before we start the climb. I was planning on hitting the parking lot around 4:30? 5? 

I started the Epi approach at ~4:45am on a random Wednesday in April. It took us about ~50mins for the approach (got lost lol), first in line. We beat the second party to the base by 6 minutes. Saw their headlamps coming through the bushes near the end and we started sprinting.

We were already fully racked up when we started the approach, so all we did was flake the rope and start climbing. I was up the second pitch ~6:20am, I turned around and there were, SEVEN PEOPLE at the base, not including my partner, and another party coming through the bushes.

Anyway, it was super fun.

Be first on route. Don't get benighted.

The descent hikes through the entire ridgeline of Black Velvet canyon then drops down once you're past Frogland. It's long and confusing, but there are a lot of small cairns that mark the way. They're hard to spot during the day, so I can't imagine doing it in the dark. MP says descent is 1-1.5hrs lol no -- it takes ~2.5-3hrs for an average person.

Stashing gear is a good way to lose it.  Unfortunately, there aren't many 'honest' people out there, and they'll take anything they find. . . 

Stashing gear is poor form.

I know it CAN make sense for very long approaches to obscure routes or areas that are actively under development...

... a mega classic uber popular route is not one of those places.

Desert Rock Sports wrote:

Stashing gear is poor form.

I know it CAN make sense for very long approaches to obscure routes or areas that are actively under development...

... a mega classic uber popular route is not one of those places.

Totally get it! Just an idea, appreciate the feedback from everyone.