Red Rocks Spring Break 2019

Welcome to Hoofer Mountaineering Spring Break 2019!

We are going to Red Rock National Conservation area in Nevada, about a half hour’s drive from Las Vegas. The club has arranged a number of things to make the whole trip go smoothly. These include: a group campsite, optional clinics (additional cost), access to some club gear, and group car rentals through the Big10 Enterprise deal. The rest is on your own, but do not fear! There is a Facebook group that you can join to get everything else figured out. It is highly encouraged that you read all of the information on this page. It is a lot, but it will prevent you from asking questions that have already been answered. There will be a MANDATORY pre-trip meeting for all participants on Thursday, March 7th at 6pm in the Mendota Lodge.

Camping: 

The group campsite is located at the Red Rocks campgrounds, and reserved Saturday 3/16-Friday 3/22. As you can see, this does not entirely cover the duration of our spring break, so if you plan on coming earlier/staying later, you will have to find camping on your own for those nights.

If you don't make it into the spots of the campsite (ie: signing up on this page), put your name on the waitlist event: https://members.hoofers.org/event/69097. There are first-come first-serve non-group sites available across the road.

Clinics: 

There will be three optional clinics offered for an additional cost. Despite the fact that these clinics are offered, we are not waving a magic wand to make you a good climber. You are still expected to manage your own risk and be a responsible climber and belayer. In order to secure your spot in a clinic, you must sign up for it on it's own event page:

Sunday March 17 (half day AM)- Intro to Gear Placement: https://members.hoofers.org/event/69093

Sunday March 17 (half day AM)- Getting Comfortable with Bouldering Outdoors: https://members.hoofers.org/event/69094

Monday March 18 (half day AM)- Getting Comfortable with Sport Leading: https://members.hoofers.org/event/69092

Transportation: 

Getting There:

On your own. Many people fly, and others will drive out in a group in cars. A lot of these plans will materialize on the Facebook page, but you should get your flight as soon as you find a good deal, or start talking to a group if you’re driving. There is a Google Sheets on the Facebook page with everyone’s travel plans.

While There:

As this is an official Hoofers trip, the club gets a discount on Enterprise vehicles. We have calculated that it will be roughly $12/day/person. To make this work we are going to need 6 volunteers to coordinate car groups and drive the vehicles. These leaders must be Fleet certified and abide by the University and Hoofer club policies. Sign-ups and car rental information will occur after the event has reached capacity and the final participant list is known.

Food and Water: 

Food is on your own. The nearest grocery store is ~20 minutes away (next to the nearest gas station) with all the essentials and useful things like firewood and charcoal (there is both a fire ring and a grill at the campsites). Make sure to bring at least one plate/bowl and utensils. A sharp knife (ie: pocket knife or kitchen knife) is useful for cutting things. Sponge and soap are also always a good call. 

We're camping on park land, so there's no kitchen available. Similar to other climbing trips you might have taken (ie: Red River Gorge), most cooking will take place over a portable camp stove. The club also has a double burner stove which can be brought out, and stoves can be rented from OUW. If you're bringing a stove, you'll need pots/pans too. If you're planning on borrowing someone's stove (ask around on the FB page), it's always nice to chip in for fuel and help with cleanup. 

There is running water at the site. There is no running water in the park near the climbing, so make sure you fill up on water before you leave camp each morning. You'll want capacity for at least 2L of water, but 3L is better. It's a desert and it can get really hot and sunny!

Gear: 

Gear is on your own. If you want to check out club gear, contact the gear managers. You'll be responsible for its transportation there and back, as well as its care while in Red Rocks. The club will pay for a checked bag for some group gear which will available for the clinics and everyone's use. You will not be allowed to use or check out any club gear for which you don't have the proper rating. The club won't be bringing out any personal gear such as helmets, harnesses, shoes, belay devices, etc. but you can check those out while still in Madison. You must have a personal anchor. These will not be provided by the club.

Bathroom Facilities/Sanitation: 

There are pit toilets near the campsite. Bring your own hand sanitizer, towel, soap, etc. as none of that will be available. Running water is available on site via pump. It can be used to wash your hands, face, etc. There are no showers.

Climbing Areas: 

First pullout, second pullout, and Calico Basin are the most popular. The approach is relatively easy and straightforward and there is a large variety of bouldering, single pitch sport, and trad in these places. There are also some sport/trad multi-pitches too. More multipitch (mostly trad) is available off the beaten path and into the canyons, though approaches are often much more physically demanding and require more trail finding.

Check Mountain Project or read the Club's guidebook before you get out there to get an idea of some climbing objectives: https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105731932/red-rock

Weather, and In Case of Rain: 

Weather is usually mild and can get windy, especially at night. As it's a desert, temperatures fluctuate a lot. Short sleeve shirts and maybe even shorts are good for hot afternoons. Sweatshirts are good for chilly nights. A rain coat and a puffy are good things to bring just in case. Bring sunglasses. Put rocks in your tent so that it doesn't blow away when you're not at camp. 

In case of rain, we can't climb at RR for risk of damaging the rock: sandstone is very soft and becomes easily breakable when wet. If it lightly rains, we may have to take a day off of climbing. There is also a sharp limestone cliff within an hour that can be climbed on in the rain. If it heavily rains and climbing at RR becomes impossible, Moab and Joshua Tree are alternative destinations and are only about a 4 hour drive away. Either way, we'll find a way to climb.

Medical Information: 

There are Park Rangers in the park, but there is no closer opportunity for medical attention until Vegas. Thus, if you need to visit a doctor or drug store, you'll have to make the 30 min drive into Vegas. Despite this, 30 mins is relatively close and medical attention is fairly accessible from the park/campsite. In cases of emergency, ambulances and helicopters can access the park. Be sure to pack any allergy or other personal medicine you anticipate needing.

Charging your phone:

There are no outlets at the campsite. Bring car chargers and portable battery packs. The best way to conserve battery is to keep your phone on airplane mode or off unless necessary. Bringing a phone with your group while climbing is a good idea in case of emergency, but cell reception can be spotty.

Park info:

There is a cost to enter Red Rocks Conservation Area, and the line to get in to the scenic loop can be long if you wait until too late in the day. Kraft Boulders is outside of the park and does not have a fee associated with it. You must be out of the park by park closing.  This means off the rock well in advance.  Do not Summit Fever your way to the top of a climb.

Leave no trace:

The Hoofer Mountaineering Club abides by the policies of Leave No Trace (LNT) on every official trip. Always pack out what you brought with you that day, keep on the marked trails only, and be respectful of wildlife and other people. Some areas in Red Rocks are closed off because of archeologic paintings and drawings– DO NOT CLIMB ON ROCKS THAT ARE CLEARLY MARKED OFF LIMITS. This is a great way to end up with a huge fine and embarrass yourself and Hoofers as a whole.