Touchstone Blog Archive
Friday, April 16, 2010
Save Red Rocks
The Access Fund recently posted an article on their website about a threat to climber access at Red Rocks, the climbing area outside Las Vegas Nevada.
An upcoming zoning exception could turn the few acres left between the grid of Las Vegas and Red Rocks into a housing development, forever changing the views from your favorite multi-pitch Red Rock climbs. In 2002, the Access Fund helped defeat a proposal to build 8,400 homes—including a school, golf course and businesses—on Blue Diamond Hill across the road from the world class climbing at Red Rocks. Now the notorious Rhodes Development (responsible for the ugly tract homes creeping towards Red Rocks) is close to receiving county approval that could lead to a 1,700-acre McMansion project. This is the kind of housing development eyesore that Blue Diamond residents and Red Rocks visitors have opposed for years.
On April 21, Clark County will vote on an exception to a local ordinance that prevents developments of more than two homes per acre on the land within the Red Rock Overlay District. If this zoning exception is granted, the development on Blue Diamond Hill could go forward, and the few acres left between the grid of Las Vegas and Red Rocks will be filled with million-dollar homes.
Some critics think that this effort to ease zoning restrictions is just a ploy to raise property values and thus enable the Rhodes Development to milk taxpayers for more money if the federal government is forced to buy the property to protect scenic values at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The Access Fund is working with local Las Vegas climbers and conservation groups to again defeat this proposal. To get more information, contact the Las Vegas Climbers Liaison Council and Save Red Rock Canyon.
Sign the Petition:
An upcoming zoning exception could turn the few acres left between the grid of Las Vegas and Red Rocks into a housing development, forever changing the views from your favorite multi-pitch Red Rock climbs. In 2002, the Access Fund helped defeat a proposal to build 8,400 homes—including a school, golf course and businesses—on Blue Diamond Hill across the road from the world class climbing at Red Rocks. Now the notorious Rhodes Development (responsible for the ugly tract homes creeping towards Red Rocks) is close to receiving county approval that could lead to a 1,700-acre McMansion project. This is the kind of housing development eyesore that Blue Diamond residents and Red Rocks visitors have opposed for years.
On April 21, Clark County will vote on an exception to a local ordinance that prevents developments of more than two homes per acre on the land within the Red Rock Overlay District. If this zoning exception is granted, the development on Blue Diamond Hill could go forward, and the few acres left between the grid of Las Vegas and Red Rocks will be filled with million-dollar homes.
Some critics think that this effort to ease zoning restrictions is just a ploy to raise property values and thus enable the Rhodes Development to milk taxpayers for more money if the federal government is forced to buy the property to protect scenic values at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The Access Fund is working with local Las Vegas climbers and conservation groups to again defeat this proposal. To get more information, contact the Las Vegas Climbers Liaison Council and Save Red Rock Canyon.
Sign the Petition:
Labels: Access Fund, Blue Diamond Development, Red Rocks
¶ Friday, April 16, 2010 0 Comments
Monday, February 8, 2010
Ironworks Climbers on Red Rocks Trip: Beluah's Book
In early January, Ironworks climbers Sarah Newman and Maria Schriver headed out to Red Rocks for a beautiful three day weekend. They split their time between the sport climbs of the Gallery and the long trad climbs of the canyons.
Sarah and Maria getting ready to send some Gallery sport climbs
Maria wrote about their trip saying, "We spent Friday and Sunday sport climbing at The Gallery, a south-facing sport crag where routes range from 5.8 to 5.13. It was a little cool when it was cloudy, but quite warm in the sun. The crag attracts a lot of people, but with such a variety of routes and climbers, we didn’t spend much time waiting. Sarah pushed her sport leading, redpointing 5.10’s and topping out A Day in the Life, 5.11b. I spent some time working Yaak Crack, 5.11d, which is mostly not crack climbing, but big moves on big, overhanging holds. It’s a high quality route, and someone was on it most of both days. I got close to a redpoint, so it’s definitely a good reason to go back!"
Maria on Yaak Crack 5.11c/d
Sarah climbing across the sandstone of Red Rocks
On Saturday, Lukasz Fidkowski joined the two trad climbers for an ascent of Beluah's Book, a three pitch 5.9 route in Oak Creek Canyon on the Solar Slab Wall.
Sarah belaying Lukasz up on Beluah's Book
Maria wrote about their ascent, "The crux is the second pitch, a few chimney moves followed by a corner with a thin hands-sized crack. The corner was classic, the chimney was physical and really fun, and we got enough sun not to be cold at the belay."
Lukasz all racked up and fired up on Beluah's Book
Maria and Lukasz took all the photos.
Sarah and Maria getting ready to send some Gallery sport climbs
Maria wrote about their trip saying, "We spent Friday and Sunday sport climbing at The Gallery, a south-facing sport crag where routes range from 5.8 to 5.13. It was a little cool when it was cloudy, but quite warm in the sun. The crag attracts a lot of people, but with such a variety of routes and climbers, we didn’t spend much time waiting. Sarah pushed her sport leading, redpointing 5.10’s and topping out A Day in the Life, 5.11b. I spent some time working Yaak Crack, 5.11d, which is mostly not crack climbing, but big moves on big, overhanging holds. It’s a high quality route, and someone was on it most of both days. I got close to a redpoint, so it’s definitely a good reason to go back!"
Maria on Yaak Crack 5.11c/d
Sarah climbing across the sandstone of Red Rocks
On Saturday, Lukasz Fidkowski joined the two trad climbers for an ascent of Beluah's Book, a three pitch 5.9 route in Oak Creek Canyon on the Solar Slab Wall.
Sarah belaying Lukasz up on Beluah's Book
Maria wrote about their ascent, "The crux is the second pitch, a few chimney moves followed by a corner with a thin hands-sized crack. The corner was classic, the chimney was physical and really fun, and we got enough sun not to be cold at the belay."
Lukasz all racked up and fired up on Beluah's Book
Maria and Lukasz took all the photos.
Labels: Beluah's Book, Maria Schriver, Red Rocks
¶ Monday, February 08, 2010 0 Comments
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thanksgiving Climbing
With the holiday season quickly approaching so are the last minute options for climbing trips. Bishop, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Sonora are all probably high on the list. For those that want a little something different, the sandstone of Red Rocks, located just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, offers a wonderful option. While its a bit of a drive, flights to and from Vegas are often quite affordable last minute.
The state park offers a solid variety of climbing with good options in the moderate range (5.8-5.10) sport climbs in the Black Corridor and on the Magic Bus. There is fun and a solid amount of bouldering in Calico Basin, and for the motivated sport climber there is the infamous Gallery-home to the classic Gift (12d).
Camping can be found at 13 Mile Campground, located a five minute drive from the park. Also, Las Vegas is a twenty minute drive away and offers a large range of camping and entertainment options.
Check out the Supertopo link, which describes many of the classic trad climbs of Las Vegas (The climbing in the canyon might be a little cold right now)
Red Rock Climbing Center on Charleston Ave will have plenty of information as well.
The state park offers a solid variety of climbing with good options in the moderate range (5.8-5.10) sport climbs in the Black Corridor and on the Magic Bus. There is fun and a solid amount of bouldering in Calico Basin, and for the motivated sport climber there is the infamous Gallery-home to the classic Gift (12d).
Camping can be found at 13 Mile Campground, located a five minute drive from the park. Also, Las Vegas is a twenty minute drive away and offers a large range of camping and entertainment options.
Check out the Supertopo link, which describes many of the classic trad climbs of Las Vegas (The climbing in the canyon might be a little cold right now)
Red Rock Climbing Center on Charleston Ave will have plenty of information as well.
Labels: Calico Basin, Las Vegas, Red Rocks
¶ Tuesday, November 24, 2009 0 Comments
