Cragies and Snackies

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Las Vegas, NV is one of the premier climbing destinations in the world.  It is a playground of some of the most accessible, developed, and fun sandstone walls that one could imagine.  Beyond climbing, Red Rocks is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all manners.  Hikers, bikers, and even through-traffic sightseers are enchanted by the beauty of this canyon, sitting just 15 miles west of Las Vegas.  

For gamblers who book a Red Rock tour, this is about the only sure thing they’ll experience on a trip to sin city. 

For climbers, not only is Red Rocks accessible, but it offers nearly 4,000 routes with everything from bouldering to 13 pitch trad routes.  Grades vary from 5.6 – 5.13, and access varies from short walks to intense scrambles.  If you’re a rock climber you are guaranteed to find the type of climbing you love most!

With the number of walls and routes and opportunities to climb at Red Rocks, my recommendation is to do you research ahead of time.  Spots like The Black Corridor and Panty Wall are great places to get your feet wet but can be very busy during weekends and holidays.  

If I was forced to recommend a spot to kick things off, I would go with the Hunter S. Thompson Dome.  Not necessarily because the climbing is the best (although it is very fun) or the access is easiest, (although it is very accessible) I just like Hunter S. Thompson, and the fact that there is a wall named after him with routes that reference his work is reason enough for me!

Two warm-ups (Mother’s Milk and Crazy Eights) are a great place to start, they are right next to each other and rise to heights between 70-85 ft respectively. From there you can hop on a few tougher routes or bust out the trad gear, take in a boulder, or jump on some multi-pitch.

Whatever you do, you are sure to have a blast.  In the words of Hunter S. Thompson, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow! What a ride”.

After a day of climbing, it is time to eat!!!

You are 15 miles from one of the world’s premier food destinations.  Whether you are after quantity or quality, Vegas has you covered!

When it comes to Vegas, everyone has their recommendations, mine happens to be the one and only Chef Kenny’s!

Cheff Kenny’s Vegan Dim Sum is both the best Chinese food I have ever had and the best vegan food I have ever had.  It’s not hard to recognize the difference between a chef and a cook when you come across a place like this.

Chef Kenny is a culinary genius.

I really don’t have a sufficient arrangement of adjectives to describe how much I love Chef Kenny’s, but if I were in Vegas for one night and could only pick one place to eat, it would be Chef Kenny’s.

Pretty much everything on the menu is excellent, but since I am forcing myself to make some recommendations, I’ll do my best.  First thing you want to do is arrive hungry, and since presumably you have just spent the entire day sending in Red Rock Canyon, that shouldn’t be an issue.  The second thing you want to do is make sure you are with a group of trustworthy friends, again, if you’re coming from Red Rocks, you just put your life in these people hands, so put a check by that condition as well.  Next, make sure there is a deal that everyone is happy to order for the table and share.  No one bogarts one dish!  If you meet all these conditions, then here is my recommendation (supposing there are four mates).

We’ll start with some apps, including the Sweet Rice Vegan Pork Dumpling, and the Vegan Sesame Ball, an order of Fried Veggie Dumplings, and some Edamame.  We’ll skip the soup, salad, and rolls, and jump into the entrees!

Spicy Veggie Mongolian Beef, Salt and Pepper Fried Tofu, the Sweet and Sour Chicken, and finally an order of House Chow Mein Noodles.  This is a depressingly delightful combo of can’t miss meals.  Depressing because, while they are all amazing choices, it leaves out too much, but delightful because your tastebuds will on cloud nine for eternity.

Thai Tea for dessert, and an order of Orange Beef and Pad Thai Noodles for the road.

Even if you fall off everything at Red Rocks or lose whatever dirtbag dollars you allowed yourself to gamble with, as long as you have Chef Kenny’s the entire trip will be worth it!

Red Rock Canyon and Chef Kenny’s Dim Sum, it’s like hitting the jackpot for your tastebuds, and your taste buddies!

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada “What Happens Here Stays Here”

Crag: Red Rock Canyon

Restaurant: Chef Kenny’s

Distance: 15 Miles