All Locations > Nevada > Southern Nevada > Red Rocks > Pine Creek Canyon > Gemstone Gully

Gemstone

Name: Gemstone
Rating: 2.5

5.10- YDS 6a French 18 Ewbanks VI+ UIAA 18 ZA E1 5a British

Routes in Gemstone Gully

L › R R › L A › Z

	Blue Feathers T 5.10+ 6b+ 21 VII+ 20 E3 5b
	Fear and Loathing T 5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
	Gemstone T 5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
	Tower of Jewels T 5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
	Tri-Burro Bridge T 5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b PG13

Order Wrong? Sort Routes

Type:	Trad, 280 ft (85 m), 2 pitches
GPS:	36.13237, -115.4888
FA:	Richard Harrison & Nick Nordblom - 1982
Page Views:	1,403 total · 12/month
Shared By:	Josh Janes on Dec 6, 2016
Admins:	Luke EF, Larry DeAngelo, Justin Johnsen Page Updates (admin only)

You & This Route

4 Opinions

Your To-Do List: ·

Your Star Rating:
Rating

Your Difficulty Rating:
-none- Change

Your Ticks:Add New Tick

-none-

Explore this route in 3D

Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.

Access Issue: IMPORTANT notes on Wet Rock and Human Waste Details

WET ROCK: The sandstone in Red Rocks is fragile and is very easily damaged when it is wet. Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN RED ROCKS DURING OR AFTER RAIN. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery bone-dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby.

HUMAN WASTE: Human waste is a major issue plaguing the area. The Southern Nevada Climbers Coalition (SNCC) works to provide "wag bags" free of charge in several locations: Black Velvet Canyon, The Hamlet, Kraft Mountain Area, The Gallery, and The Black Corridor. These bags are designed so that you can pack your waste out. Consider bringing one to be part of your daily kit no matter where you go. Once used, please dispose of them properly. Do not throw them in the toilets at the parking areas.

See https://www.southernnevadaclimbers.org/wag-bags for more information on the program.

Description

Gemstone is the "other" climb high up in Gemstone Gully. I do not recommend this route as a destination in and of itself, but if you make the hike up there to do Fear and Loathing (perhaps the best 5.10+/5.11- crack in southern Nevada), Gemstone is a worthy way to finish your day. At the very least it'll help you appreciate how good Fear and Loathing is.

Begin on a boulder beneath a beautiful southeast-facing panel of varnished rock (the route is clearly visible from the Pine Creek TH) and climb the left-arching hand crack to an anchor. Continue up choss, or rappel: The route actually has two pitches, but we had no interest in climbing the second pitch (you'll see why) so I cannot comment on it.

Note: There are strange layers of exfoliating patina on the inside of the crack that make for unnerving gear placements - exercise judgement when protecting this pitch.

Protection

Contrary to info in the guidebook and on the Fear and Loathing route page, an appropriate rack for this route is as follows:

1-2x 0.5 Camalots
2-3x 0.75 Camalots
3-4x #1 Camalots
3-4x #2 Camalots
1-2x #3 Camalots

Don't bring wires or any cams smaller than a 0.5 Camalot - you won't find places for them. A 70m rope makes getting down fairly easy; a 60m rope might work with some rope tricks... watch your ends.