At a loose end

Hi all, I have a travel credit to the USA and I want to get out and do some climbing, I need to start my trip before the end of March 2026, looking for places to go that time of year and someone to climb with if there are any suggestions and volunteers that would be amazing. Im a good grade sport climber and I have recently gotten into trad. For me its the experience of being outdoors and being where not very many others have been, so it doesnt have to be super hard just an experience never to forget. 

Describe in single words, only the good things that come in to your mind about... your mother.

Rob. as you can see it's trumps amerika and all you get are st00pid responses.  march I would suggest Red Rocks Nevada. Lots of sport and the best multi pitch trad anywhere.. Unfourtunatly its rather busy...  I have not been there since 2004 so you need better beta from a local.. 

Nick Goldsmithwrote:

Rob. as you can see it's trumps amerika and all you get are st00pid responses.  march I would suggest Red Rocks Nevada. Lots of sport and the best multi pitch trad anywhere.. Unfourtunatly its rather busy...  I have not been there since 2004 so you need better beta from a local.. 

Nick, I don't think these guys are being dicks; The OP is a bot or at least thats what's suspected. 

People on MP are really bad at differentiating humans from bots....

If the OP has

-grammar mistakes,

-spelling mistakes, or

-awkward phrasing

then OP is most likely a human, not a bot (at least for now, before bots start intentionally making mistakes to lead us astray.)

Alright Rob, you're going to need to fly into Vegas, lots of cheap direct flights.  Spend a couple days there, then you're off to Moab, Utah.  Amazing landscapes, great climbing (not much sport).  Next, you'll drive through Monument Valley (consider slight detour to shiprock on your way) and you'll be stopping in Flagstaff, AZ.  Climbing to be had, sure, but also decent disc golf. From there you're going to head to the Grand Canyon, get a predawn start to beat the crowds.  Stay a half day because you have a 6 hour drive to your next destination, Joshua Tree.  Stay a couple days before making your way to some absolutely mediocre sport climbing but stellar car camping at New Jack City. From there drive up the 395, admiring the eastern Sierra as you drive, and stop in Bishop to do some climbing at Pine Creek Canyon or Owens River Gorge(never been here myself tbh) or any of the awesome places to climb around Bishop.  From there you begin the final leg of your journey, driving through Death Valley to arrive back in Las Vegas in time to do some more climbing before your flight back home.  The Western US is a special place, I hope you get to check it out.  Hit me up when your in Joshua Tree and we'll do some climbing.

Brandon.Swrote:

Alright Rob, you're going to need to fly into Vegas, lots of cheap direct flights.  Spend a couple days there, then you're off to Moab, Utah.  Amazing landscapes, great climbing (not much sport).  Next, you'll drive through Monument Valley (consider slight detour to shiprock on your way) and you'll be stopping in Flagstaff, AZ.  Climbing to be had, sure, but also decent disc golf. From there you're going to head to the Grand Canyon, get a predawn start to beat the crowds.  Stay a half day because you have a 6 hour drive to your next destination, Joshua Tree.  Stay a couple days before making your way to some absolutely mediocre sport climbing but stellar car camping at New Jack City. From there drive up the 395, admiring the eastern Sierra as you drive, and stop in Bishop to do some climbing at Pine Creek Canyon or Owens River Gorge(never been here myself tbh) or any of the awesome places to climb around Bishop.  From there you begin the final leg of your journey, driving through Death Valley to arrive back in Las Vegas in time to do some more climbing before your flight back home.  The Western US is a special place, I hope you get to check it out.  Hit me up when your in Joshua Tree and we'll do some climbing.

This is an amazing route, I love western America, I have family in LA and well scattered most of the way up the West Coast, unfortunately further north than the time of year alows for climbing. I am asking friends this side of the pond to see if someone will want to tag along so I have someone to climb with, most my age seem to have familys, a problem of single life 🤣. 

If you have family in LA start there. Mostly because you will have a place to crash after the flight and you might be able to fly LHR->LAX direct. Then start with Joshua Tree. From places Brandon suggested I would skip Flagstaff as it high enough that in March it will be still be a bit cold.

Allen Sandersonwrote:

If you have family in LA start there. Mostly because you will have a place to crash after the flight and you might be able to fly LHR->LAX direct. Then start with Joshua Tree. From places Brandon suggested I would skip Flagstaff as it high enough that in March it will be still be a bit cold.

Yea that is a good idea. Just as long as I start the trip by the end of March im flexible with return dates. Might make a 3-4 week trip out of it

Welcome….. 

Starting in LA is a good move… JT, NJC, East Side South, Alabama Hills, Bishop. Maybe some skiing at Mammoth then off to Vegas….. for Red Rock fun.
March and April are really good times to be east side.

Let “US” know when the time gets close…. 

LA - Joshua Tree - Red Rocks - Yosemite Valley would give you an awful lot of excellent climbing without spending too much time driving. If you plan on camping in any of those places then start sorting out campsites on recreation.gov NOW. Campsites in those areas go fast, and the window for your time frame has been open long enough that you might have to scramble a little to get campsites.

mark felberwrote:

LA - Joshua Tree - Red Rocks - Yosemite Valley would give you an awful lot of excellent climbing without spending too much time driving. 

I would say at the most LAX to Joshua Tree/ Red Rocks/ eastern Sierra (Bishop) for 4 weeks.  A lifetime of climbing. Less time driving.

Rob, it’s hard to commit when you don’t have specific dates or agenda, but I am LA based and retired and could climb with you in any of those places for a few days or even more, as I usually climb in most of them in March/ April. We probably wouldn’t be compatible for sport routes if you climb harder things but maybe for trad climbs.

It’s typically not too hard to pick up a partner for those places with just a few days notice through this site or through the various local Facebook groups. I don’t think you need to worry too much about partners.

I’ve climbed with 2 Brits and a Scot that I met through the Internet, so you would add to my tally!

Sorry I initially thought you were a bot too. 

mark felberwrote:

LA - Joshua Tree - Red Rocks - Yosemite Valley would give you an awful lot of excellent climbing without spending too much time driving. If you plan on camping in any of those places then start sorting out campsites on recreation.gov NOW. Campsites in those areas go fast, and the window for your time frame has been open long enough that you might have to scramble a little to get campsites.

I'll be getting on this over the next couple of weeks. I'll also be reaching out to my cousin to sort out first night jet lag accommodation aswell. The flight into LAX always seems to be the worst jet lag for me. 

phylp phylpwrote:

I would say at the most LAX to Joshua Tree/ Red Rocks/ eastern Sierra (Bishop) for 4 weeks.  A lifetime of climbing. Less time driving.

Rob, it’s hard to commit when you don’t have specific dates or agenda, but I am LA based and retired and could climb with you in any of those places for a few days or even more, as I usually climb in most of them in March/ April. We probably wouldn’t be compatible for sport routes if you climb harder things but maybe for trad climbs.

It’s typically not too hard to pick up a partner for those places with just a few days notice through this site or through the various local Facebook groups. I don’t think you need to worry too much about partners.

I’ve climbed with 2 Brits and a Scot that I met through the Internet, so you would add to my tally!

Sorry I initially thought you were a bot too. 

Amazing, i'll be finalising dates over the coming weeks, so ill let you know soon. I didn't realise how bad the bots are, I was dubious when I saw the first 2 comments pop up. Im realy looking forward to it to be honest. 

In terms of climbing grades im not looking to break any records with pushing myself to do the hardest climbs, just the enjoyment and experience is what I'm after. 

mark felberwrote:

LA - Joshua Tree - Red Rocks - Yosemite Valley would give you an awful lot of excellent climbing without spending too much time driving. If you plan on camping in any of those places then start sorting out campsites on recreation.gov NOW. Campsites in those areas go fast, and the window for your time frame has been open long enough that you might have to scramble a little to get campsites.

Isn't alot of Yosemite still very frozen in March/April? 

The high country is. I remember April as the start of climbing season in the Valley, and after a dry winter March can be good. I would modify my recommendation to say definitely do Joshua Tree and Red Rocks, and consider Yosemite Valley if this winter turns out to be relatively dry, and if you're not too busy in JT and Red Rocks.

Flagstaff has good stuff to climb all year round, and spring is a good time for some of the basalt crags which are pretty unique and contain excellent climbing. But admittedly it maybe doesn't compare to Yosemite or Red Rock in terms of scale. Nearby Sedona has some pretty cool spires and the like, though if you're going through Moab the rock there is better. Grand Canyon is spectacular of course, and if you're up for it, a rim to river and back day is pretty fun- I recommend Hermit trail if you want to skip the crowds. Check the weather for Red Rock, its's a little hit or miss in the shoulder seasons and you can't climb if its wet, although there's some good limestone sport not too far (lime kiln is the best option IMO). Jtree is also excellent but not the most friendly to a newer trad leader. If you do stop in Bishop, my vote is for Pine Creek  or Rock Creek over ORG but I tend to like granite, and they're both excellent in their own right. If Tioga pass is open, you really shouldn't miss Tuolumne either, it's a paradise for climbers, but may be a bit cold then. So much great climbing in the American West, this is making me want to go do a road trip of my own...