This November Neptune Floor Supervisor Elizabeth W. took her first climbing trip the the desert, traveling to Red Rocks, Nevada and Indian Creek, Utah. Here's her report:
The drive out from Boulder was long but made manageable by the amazing scenery and hours of podcasts. While in Red Rocks I took my Single Pitch Instructor's Course and learn invaluable skills for taking folks out climbing (and also gained even greater insights into the gear). On the trip I got a bit of everything from sport, to multi-pitch trad, to overhanging bouldering! It was incredible to experience the varied landscapes and the immense breadth of climbing the southwest has to offer!
My favorite gear on this trip included:
Mountain Equipment Trango Jacket
- super warm for the windy, chilly, shady moments. The reverse zip made it super convenient with my harness
Scarpa Drago LV
-soft sticky rubber made the tiny slick sandstone holds much easier to edge and smear on
Petzl GriGri
-absolutely essential for my SPI and my favorite belay device for both multi-pitch and sport due to ease of use
Mammut Crag Classic Dry 9.5 Rope
- great durability with the sandy conditions and good soft catches for craggy sport days
