Red Rocks Round II, Part 1

We arrived in Red Rocks/Vegas just after a major climbing festival, but had no trouble getting a campsite and settling in. After our marathon drive, it was wonderful to set up our tent in a place where we could stay for weeks instead of just a few days. We settled pretty quickly into a routine of long climbing routes, cragging days, and lots of chilling out in the shade. We've also found the local YMCA, so instead of buying showers at the climbing gym (which are often cold) we can swim and soak in a hot tub for only a few extra dollars. We’ve spent so much time around here that it’s starting to feel like a second home - Dave even got a Vegas library card!

Megan’s various finger injuries are almost fully rehab-ed, so we’re getting on routes that she didn’t feel strong enough for in January. With this and the wonderful new Red Rocks guidebook, we have way more exploring to do than we can manage in a few weeks! One of the routes that we climbed this time was Birdland, a stellar 5-pitch route with a nice short approach. Well, a nice short approach for someone with less talent for taking wrong turns – Dave’s early-morning navigation gave us a bonus 40-minute scramble through manzanita bushes, but we still managed to be the first of the ten or so parties on the route. When we walked away there were six people sharing a two-square-foot ledge, with two more on the way – definitely glad we’re still operating on east-coast time.