Type: | Trad, 4400 ft (1333 m) |
FA: | unknown |
Page Views: | 1,082 total · 12/month |
Shared By: | kenr on Feb 10, 2017 |
Admins: | Luke EF, Larry DeAngelo, Aaron Mc, Justin Johnsen |
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Access Issue: Red Rock RAIN AND WET ROCK: The sandstone is fragile and is very easily damaged when wet.
Details
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 dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby.
HUMAN WASTE Human waste is one of the major issues plaguing Red Rocks. The Las Vegas Climbers Liaison Council and the AAC provides free "wag bags" in several locations (Black Velvet, First Pullout, Kraft Mtn/Bouldering, 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 kit (just like your rope and shoes and lunch) no matter where you go. Once used, please dispose of them properly (do not throw them in the toilets at the parking area).
HUMAN WASTE Human waste is one of the major issues plaguing Red Rocks. The Las Vegas Climbers Liaison Council and the AAC provides free "wag bags" in several locations (Black Velvet, First Pullout, Kraft Mtn/Bouldering, 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 kit (just like your rope and shoes and lunch) no matter where you go. Once used, please dispose of them properly (do not throw them in the toilets at the parking area).
Description
The South Calico ridge has a nice setting with big views and interesting rock situations, and fairly close to trailheads.
The main problem is that the crest of the ridge is obstructed by chasms across it.
The strategy of this route is to go SE to NW, and avoid the more difficult chasms by going off the ridge to one side or the other (often the southwest side).
. . (A different strategy would be to seek out the most interesting climbing sequences staying as much as possible on crest of the ridge -- See the route South Calico Ridge).
This route is described in detail in the print guidebook, Hiking Las Vegas, by Branch Whitney (Huntington Press, 2015), on page 22 where it is called the "Calico Hills Traverse".
. . (I have not yet talked with anyone who has actually done this route).
Since the terrain on and around this ridge is complicated, likely the best way to find the route sections which avoid the big difficulties is to get a copy of that print guidebook, which includes careful photos of the key navigation points, and a list of GPS latitude-longitude waypoints.
Given the complexity of the navigation, don't be surprised if you encounter some more difficult 5th class climbing sequences - (especially if you attempt this traverse without using the detailed photos and GPS waypoints).
warning: Many loose rocks and weak breakable hand- and foot-holds on and around this route - (even when the rock plenty dry). The rock becomes especially weak for a couple of days after significant rain or snow, so holds are even more likely to break off.
The main problem is that the crest of the ridge is obstructed by chasms across it.
The strategy of this route is to go SE to NW, and avoid the more difficult chasms by going off the ridge to one side or the other (often the southwest side).
. . (A different strategy would be to seek out the most interesting climbing sequences staying as much as possible on crest of the ridge -- See the route South Calico Ridge).
This route is described in detail in the print guidebook, Hiking Las Vegas, by Branch Whitney (Huntington Press, 2015), on page 22 where it is called the "Calico Hills Traverse".
. . (I have not yet talked with anyone who has actually done this route).
Since the terrain on and around this ridge is complicated, likely the best way to find the route sections which avoid the big difficulties is to get a copy of that print guidebook, which includes careful photos of the key navigation points, and a list of GPS latitude-longitude waypoints.
Given the complexity of the navigation, don't be surprised if you encounter some more difficult 5th class climbing sequences - (especially if you attempt this traverse without using the detailed photos and GPS waypoints).
warning: Many loose rocks and weak breakable hand- and foot-holds on and around this route - (even when the rock plenty dry). The rock becomes especially weak for a couple of days after significant rain or snow, so holds are even more likely to break off.
Location
- - > "sr" on the map.
From Red Springs parking (lat long approx N36.1464 W115.4189).-.(elevation 3600ft /1100m), hike up SouthWest about +200 vertical feet over 0.3 mile distance to reach the SE end of the rock of the ridge (N36.1422 W115.4207).-.(elev 3800ft /1150m).
Or if doing the traverse in the reverse direction (NW to SE), start from Red Springs parking and hike NorthWest (later gets steeper perhaps with some scrambling) to the obvious pass at the NW end of the South Calico ridge (N36.1534 W115.4323).-.(elev 4225ft /1290m) - about +625 vertical feet over 0.8 mile distance.
The ends of this ridge could also be reached from the 1st and/or 2nd Pull-out on the Red Rock Scenic Loop road.
From Red Springs parking (lat long approx N36.1464 W115.4189).-.(elevation 3600ft /1100m), hike up SouthWest about +200 vertical feet over 0.3 mile distance to reach the SE end of the rock of the ridge (N36.1422 W115.4207).-.(elev 3800ft /1150m).
Or if doing the traverse in the reverse direction (NW to SE), start from Red Springs parking and hike NorthWest (later gets steeper perhaps with some scrambling) to the obvious pass at the NW end of the South Calico ridge (N36.1534 W115.4323).-.(elev 4225ft /1290m) - about +625 vertical feet over 0.8 mile distance.
The ends of this ridge could also be reached from the 1st and/or 2nd Pull-out on the Red Rock Scenic Loop road.
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