Las Vegas — 10 days of sport and trad — Calico Basin, Lone Mountain, Gun Club, and more
Las Vegas might have made its name for the 'strip' in downtown, but it also has an incredible amount of climbing opportunities on all sides of the city. We spent 10 days exploring the crags around the city, from the classic sandstone of Calico Basin to the unique formations at Lone Mountain and Gun Club. The variety of routes kept us engaged, and the desert setting made every climb memorable.
Approach
The approaches varied from short walks to moderate hikes, with some scrambling involved at certain crags. Overall, the access was straightforward and added to the sense of adventure. One thing to note is that in Red Rocks Canyon, the approaches can be a bit of a maze, with multiple trails and paths leading to different areas. We found that having a good map and some local beta was helpful for navigating the area efficiently.
Routes
We climbed a mix of sport and trad routes, with something for everyone in the group. Highlights included 'Bloody Corner' (5.9, Sport) on North Wall in The Gun Club, 'Aliens Have Landed' (5.10-, Trad) on Jabba the Hutt Rock in Calico Basin, and 'Many Variations Corner' (5.10d, sport) on Lone Mountain. The variety of rock types and climbing styles made for a well-rounded experience.
Protection & Gear
Vegas' rock varies quite a bit, so having a versatile rack was key. On some routes we wanted smaller, more micro-oriented gear, while others used up to our #6 C4. The sport routes were generally well-bolted, but the trad lines required careful gear selection and placement. Having Mussy Hooks on the top of most sport routes was SUPER nice, though make sure you don't top rope on the mussies, as this will wear them out. Bring your own top rope anchors to avoid wearing out the mussies and to have more options for top roping.
Conditions
Late March — ideal spring weather with warm days and cool nights. Perfect for climbing without the heat of summer. The Lone Mountain and Gun Club areas were really useful for days after light rain as they're not sandstone and dried quickly, while Calico Basin wasn't climbable for a few days after the rain due to the nature of the sandstone. Overall, the weather was fantastic for climbing, with just enough variability to keep things interesting.