Rock Season Begins...

First 2 days in Red Rocks (Feb 15 - 16, 2017)

Lloyd King destroying 5.10a

Finally made it to the rock. After delays on the run way and worries about Air Canada losing my bag with all my climbing gear, I finally tied into the sharp end to stretch my legs.

I have not been able to join some of my two favourite people, Lloyd and Joanna, on a climbing trip for several years now. It was fantastic to coordinate this time together to be able to team-up for some crushing on the red sandstone again.

Calico Basin and Cannibal Rock was our destination for some quick hit climbs before the sunset. The routes around the right side of the block are good warm-ups but there not bolted that well - 3 bolts each in 15m of climbing. Fun none the less.


As the travel brain and sluggishness wore off over the course of a few routes, we moved around to the proud overhanging prow of Cannibal Crag where lies an amazing 5.11b 3 star route called Caustic. Short but sweet, this route got our forearms and fingers warm.

Me on Caustic 5.11b as the sun sets.

Unfortunately, our day was cut shorter than we would have preferred by dwindling daylight. As the sun set, the light began to become unreal. To our surprise, there were still some pockets of water here and there - lingering from the last rain storm and the higher mountains back behind the front ranges were still snowy.

Lloyd taking the swing off Caustic while cleaning draws.

Pocket of water beneath Cannibal Crag

My second day, or first full day, dawned bright and sunny - whoop whoop! We planned some classic, easy warm ups followed by a thorough forearm pump session at Tsunami Wall.

Hiking into Magic Bus Crag on a beautiful day.

Lloyd starting up Neon Sunset (Magic Bus Crag)

We arrived at Magic Bus crag with only one other party of two already at the crag. A pleasant elderly couple began to make conversation with us and in a social, subconscious way, welcomed us to join them at the cliff.

Joanna on Electric Koolaid (Magic Bus Crag)

Joanna looking strong on Electric Koolaid (Magic Bus Crag)

Some of the gear in my pack.

Staying hydrated in the desert is mucho importante. I like to carry my 2L platypus. Its nice because it shrinks down, compressing smaller as you drink it. 

After warming up, we packed up and headed down to Tsunami Wall.  On the way down through the slot canyons and corridors, we encountered some amazing rock features. Can you imagine a whole sport climbing crag made of stone shaped like the photo below!

Rock formations make us dream of steep sport climbing.

That sums up the first two days in Red Rocks. Looking forward to another 12 days of amazing experiences, climbing, and hanging out wit friends.