In Nevada, just west of Las Vegas, stands a playground of sandstone canyons. Here we enjoyed long traditional routes and short sport cragging days. We also ran into some friends from Boston and saw a UFO!
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
UFO illuminates the back side of Mt. Wilson.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/13/us/bright-lights-strange-shapes-and-talk-of-ufos.html
First light in the canyons, time to start hiking.
Joanna leads the pitch 8 traverse of Black Orpheus (5.10a).
The view of Mt. Wilson from Black Orpheus.
Topping out Black Orpheus with Las Vegas in the background.
Tired after a long descent.
Looking out at the canyons from the second pullout sport climbing.
Pine Creek Canyon
Birdland party train. Katie leads Pitch 4 while I wait for the party in front of us to pull their rope.
Steve enjoys Birldland (5.7) Pitch 5.
Wild Burros!
Desert views as we hike out from Black Velvet Canyon.
The Brownstone Wall, our climb for the day (Armatron) is on the far right.
Steve scopes out Armatron after the long approach.
Joanna follows pitch 3 of Armatron (5.9).
Steve and George at the Armatron top out.
Juniper Peak summit!
Steve scopes the descent trail from the Juniper Peak summit.
A wild burro poses in front of Mt. Wilson to end our Red Rocks adventure.
rocktheburban 