Red Rocks and Bishop

My horizons have been expanded yet again.  My trip to Red Rocks and Bishop this last week was total bliss.  Aside from the fact that we were there for a week of near record highs, I can say that the trip was perfect.  Oh, did I mention my wacky travel plans?  I don’t know how it always happens like this but I was doomed for another early bird departure.  Why do they even make 6:30am flights?  We, as in all 15 students and chaperones, had to wake up at 4:30am to get to the airport by 5:30.  ???  That is soooo early!!!  Then fly to LA for a 4 hour lay over.  Sheesh.  Live and learn. 

Anyway, we flew into Vegas for a two-day stay to climb at Red Rocks.  I have to say that this place climbs very similarly to some areas in the south.  The fine grain texture felt familiar but seemed to produce more edges and crimpers than the home crags….not my strength.  After an initial warm up and refusal to death crimp in acknowledgment of the week to come, we went to find some more friendly climbs of the area, and these were the JAM!  My favorite problems from Red Rocks were the Slopey Traverse, Bubble Butt, and Caliman.  No pics of Bubble, but the slopey traverse and Caliman are shown below. 

Arriving in Bishop felt like I had just plopped down on the couch of the Sierra kings.  I was in their house now and would worship the creations of rocks for the next week straight.  I hadn't been bouldering much leading up to the trip so I had no expectations or any sort of tick-list, which was nice.  Walking around choosing the most appealing lines made our climbing days way more fun and productive.  Sure, we all acquired projects after the first few days, but we were all psyched to be there and try everything.  I have to say that being in such a vast expanse of open terrain is totally new to me and bouldering between 12,000ft peaks was a trip that I never got sick of. 

I will spare you all of a day-by-day run down by saying that between the Happys and the Buttermilks we spent 5 days bouldering and never stressed which we were going to.  The climbing here is so good.  From what I saw, this area remains in tact and has not seen much degradation of the climbs from traffic (Hueco, HP40…).  That is the one thing I don’t like to see when I visit a destination.  You know?  I want the same experience as the first few had.  The environment was fresh and pristine.  Props to the locals and the people who do there part to keep it clean.  I will be back…..for sure!

Favorite problems from Bishop:

-Fly Boy sit

-High plains drifter

-Seven Spanish Angles

-Every Color You Are

-Sucker Punch

-Solarium

-and so many more that were left undone (Toxic Avenger and Disco Diva especially). If only I could go back and prioritize…

Big thanks to Mike Bacon, Chattanooga strong man and CCS teacher, who put the trip together and led the way and Chandler for picking up the camera when I couldn't.