Red Rock Canyon is a nature lover’s paradise near Las Vegas. Millions of people visit each year to hike, bike, and climb.
The area’s red-striped peaks are a famous sight behind the city skyline. It’s become a top spot for rock climbing worldwide, drawing both pros and newbies.
The canyon covers nearly 200,000 acres of land. While most visitors have a great time, a small number need rescue help each year.
From 2021 to 2023, rescue teams helped 181 people in the area. The good news is that rescues have been going down over time.
Juniper’s Tricky Climbs
Juniper Canyon is where most rescues happen in Red Rock. It’s a hot spot for expert climbers, but it’s not easy to find on maps.
In the last few years, 22 people needed help here. The canyon is known for its long, hard climbs that go up hundreds of feet.
Climbers use ropes and gear to go up in stages. Sometimes, ropes can get stuck in cracks when climbers try to come down. This can leave people stranded high up on the rocks.
Rescuers often need helicopters to reach stuck climbers. They might drop off helpers on the ground or lower them from the air to save people.
Kraft Mountain’s Mixed Bag
Kraft Mountain is another busy area in Red Rock. It’s great for different types of climbing and hiking.
In 2022, 15 people needed rescue here. But in 2023, only one person called for help. This big drop is good news!
Kraft Mountain has something for everyone. People come here to climb with ropes, hike trails, and try bouldering. Bouldering means climbing on big rocks without ropes, using soft pads on the ground for safety.
Black Velvet’s Big Challenges
Black Velvet Canyon is known for its tough, long climbs. In the past three years, 19 people needed rescues here.
One famous climb is called Epinephrine. It’s super popular but harder than many people expect.
Epinephrine is a massive climb – 1,600 feet high! It takes most of a day to finish. New climbers sometimes get in over their heads on this route. It’s important to know your limits before trying such a big climb.
Staying Safe in Red Rock
Red Rock’s rocks can be tricky. Rain makes them weak and easy to break.
This catches new climbers by surprise sometimes. It’s safer to wait a bit after rain before climbing.
Surprisingly, spring and fall are the busiest times for rescues, not summer.
The nice weather brings out more people.
Rangers and rescue teams work hard to teach visitors about safety. They hand out tips to help keep everyone safe.
Red Rock is an amazing place to explore. With some care and planning, most people have a great time without needing help.
The park wants to keep its world-class climbs open while making sure everyone stays safe.
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