Red Rocks Canyon, Las Vegas Nevada

"You have more to do than be weighed down by pretty or beautiful. You are a fiery heart and a wicked brain. Do not let your soul be defined by its shell."

Camping on the Colorado River 

Tyson and I wanted to go on a warm weather climbing trip during Oregon's winter, so we planned a trip to Las Vegas to camp and climb near Red Rocks. I hadn't been to Vegas since I was a small child and never realized that it had some world class sandstone climbing just minutes outside of it. Mother Earth certainly produced a beautiful child in Red Rocks, amazing striations, fading black to red like an ombre painting.

A few friends finishing school in SoCal drove out to meet us. We camped the first night near Red Rocks and just got a small taste of the climbing in the park, with a few routes on the J Wall and Panty Wall. Next, we hiked out to Ringbolt/Arizona Hot Springs, which was perfect in these cooler months. We hiked 4 miles out through slot canyons to be so sweetly rewarded at the end, reaching these hot springs neatly tucked away by the Colorado River. We slept out underneath the stars by the water. It was amazing and therapeutic. 

Ringbolt/Arizona Hot Springs

Red Rocks Canyon State Park

Smith Rock State Park

I used to live in central California and I love the ocean.

I now live in Portland, OR and I love the forest, foliage, and greenery.

I have never lived in the desert or intend to, because I don't love the dryness, the extreme temperatures, or the scenery.

But Bend, OR and Smith Rock State Park is a playground for the outdoorsman/rock climber and because it makes my husband, Tyson, so happy, it's become one of my favorite places to visit. The rock formations are so majestic and the views are pretty unbeatable. There are several thousand climbs in the park and more than a thousand are bolted routes. It's on our bucket list to climb Monkey Face as soon as possible! 

Sorry to those avid skiers who were hoping for snow this winter, but I certainly have no complaints about this mild January weather. We camped this last weekend with a few friends and rock climbed. 

Tyson and I at Smith Rock State Park

Winter outdoor climbing in January at The Peanut 

Fun weekend crew / Tyson and I, Kim, Parker & Denny (their Blue Heeler)

 All of these pictures by Kim Pridgen: http://instagram.com/kimberly_pridgen