Rock Climbing at Red Rock Canyon Las Vegas | Day 1
Ryan Wittich on Side Effects 5.10d | Sony a6400 - ISO 100, 50mm, f/7.1, 1/125
Earn $30 toward your next purchase when you become a lifelong REI Co op member!
This past weekend I was blessed to be invited on my first rock climbing trip to Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas to celebrate my friend Justin Nelson’s 35th birthday. It was my first time climbing out west and Red Rock Canyon certainly lived up to it’s reputation as one of the best climbing destinations in Nevada, and the US. We spent three days climbing some amazing and classic routes in Red Rock Canyon. Here are photos from Day 1. Hope you enjoy!
Shot on iPhone 14 Pro
Our group consisted of myself, Jade Harrison, Justin Nelson, Ryan Wittich, Meg Velius, and Jacob Beers (above). We started our adventure on Slabulous 5.7 on the The Slab wall which we accessed from the First Pullout (Calico 1). This was an easy warm-up route to get us started before moving over to the Tuna and Chips Wall for some more easy but longer (and a little spicy) warm-up climbs.
Tuna and Chips Wall
The Tuna and Chips Wall, just south of The Slab - also accessible from the First Pullout (Calico 1), was our second warm-up wall at Red Rock Canyon. It features 13 routes ranging in grade from 5.3 to 5.10a. It’s a tall slightly slabby wall making the routes more of an endurance test rather than strength based. The biggest issue is just how run-out the bolts are which definitely tests the nerves on lead.
We climbed Dolphin Safe 5.7 (110ft / 33m) and Albacore Man 5.8 (100ft / 30m), both of which are rated R for their run-outs. A whipper between the 2nd and 3rd bolts could potentially end with a 40ft ground fall so make sure those feet are secure! We had two 70m ropes which were sufficient for both routes.
Sadly after the Tuna and Chips Wall Justin and Jade had to leave the crag because Justin had to go to the Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare meeting for the hotel we were staying in on the Las Vegas strip. Thankfully Meg and Jacob also drove so Ryan and I could continuing climbing with them. We headed over to the J Wall for our first 5.10 routes at Red Rock Canyon.
J Wall
Meg Velius on Mind If I Do A J? 5.10b | Sony a6400 - ISO 100, 16mm, f /7.1, 1/500
The J Wall is just south (or right) of The Hamlet at the northern end of the First Pullout (Calico 1). It’s basically an extension of The Hamlet featuring four sport routes ranging in grade from 5.10b to 5.12b. In the photo above you can see three of the routes: Meg is on Mind If I Do A J? 5.10b, Killer Joe 5.10d to the left, and Killer Joe Direct 5.12- to the left of that.
My Essential Outdoor Rock Climbing Gear
Edelrid Jay Harness - Mens
My gym and crag harness.
Petzl GRIGRI Belay Device
GRIGRI is essential protection when belaying.
Black Diamond Mens Focus Rock Climbing Shoes
My current rock climbing shoe.
As you can see from our ropes we climbed Killer Joe 5.10d (50ft, 15m) and Mind If I Do A J? 5.10b. Both of these routes begin with a short verticle section where the crux are followed by slab to the chains. The four of us really enjoyed these routes, particularly the lower sections. The upper slab sections were slightly run-out and nerve wracked, which seemed to be the theme for the day.
“The Cherry” - Side Effects 5.10d
After The J Wall the four of us were thoroughly satisfied with our first day of climbing at Red Rock Canyon. We packed up our gear and started the 30min hike back to Meg and Jacob’s car which was parked at the Red Spring parking lot off Calico Basin Rd (which doesn’t require going through the park gates and therefore is free btw), buuuuuut it’s all the way around the the other side of the ridge so it’s a hike to and from the crag. That being said the trail lead us past the Moderate Mecca crag and Ryan’s “Cherry.”
On the Lower Tier of Moderate Mecca sits a beautiful sport route on a 60ish foot boulder standing tall and proud at the end of the range called Side Effects 5.10d (80ft, 24m). When Ryan laid eyes on this route he knew he had to climb it. Watching him climb this route as the sun was setting in the background of Red Rock Canyon was absolutely magical. When he finished, Ryan called it the “The Cherry” on top of a perfect day of climbing. I couldn’t agree more.
My Additional Climbing Gear and Clothing
Outdoor Climbing Gear
Climbing Clothing
I find these clothes to be light, breathable, easy to move in, and protective from the sun.
Camera and Filming Gear
DISCLAIMER: These links are affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission which helps me out and is no cost to you! Thank you for supporting my journey.