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How stupid is it to climb Solar Slab in 85F weather

Original Post
Ray Lovestead · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 108

See title. aka. Am I gunna die?

Ray

goatdavemac Mac · · Flat Rock, NC · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 20

its gonna be hot....real hot...

Joe Forrester · · Palo Alto · Joined Aug 2005 · Points: 2,112

Yer gonna fry!

Colin Simon · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 370
John Wilder wrote:It really depends on how fast you are. If you start up early
You better be at the gate waiting for the loop road to open first thing in the morning.

Heavily caffeinated.
W L · · NEVADASTAN · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 851

Generally if you want on that thing and it is sunny out, wait for temps in Blue Diamond to be hovering in the mid-60's....anything above that and it likely will be quite uncomfortable, particularly if you aren't simuling or soloing it.

Ray Lovestead · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 108

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe I'll just stay in the shade. Is Black Velvet canyon a good choice?

Joe De Luca · · yucca valley · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 127

I did the hole climb in two hours you will be ok, you just will need sunblock water and chalk

kirkadirka · · Down there somewhere · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 115

As slow as you climb you definitely are gonna cook!

Just stay home, eat some cheeseburgers, and plan your next adventure to Boulder Canyon.

Ryan Hill · · Denver, CO · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 30
Ray Lovestead wrote:Thanks for the feedback. Maybe I'll just stay in the shade. Is Black Velvet canyon a good choice?
Dark Shadows is quite shady and a nice climb on a warm day. Crimson Chrysalis stays cool as well, I believe we did it in August and had a great time, just wait for the sun to go down before hiking out.
JCM · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 115
Ray Lovestead wrote: Maybe I'll just stay in the shade. Is Black Velvet canyon a good choice?
Climbing Solar Slab in the hot weather is dumb not only because it will be hot, but because it is totally unnecessary. Most/many of the best routes in Red Rocks are in deep shade. Why would you choose a route that is out of condition when there are better routes that will be a comfortable temperature? Black Velvet is a good choice, but the exact shade hours seem to vary by wall and season; know before you go. There are many other options out there too.
Creed Archibald · · Salt Lake City, UT · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 1,016

I got sunburned last year on solar slabs in about 70 degree weather.

Ryan Watts · · Bishop, CA · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 25

Honestly I don't get what all the hype about solar slab is. I like long easy climbs (east face of 3rd flatiron is one of my favorite routes) but solar slab feels like mostly 3rd/4th class scrambling with a few sections of uninspiring easy 5th.

If you want long easy routes in RR, you have way better options to choose from and some of them are in the shade too.

Ray Lovestead · · Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 108

Looks like I'll just take Mr. Kirkadirka's advice and grab a six pack and climb in the republic of Boulder canyon.

Ray

Charlie S · · NV · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 2,391
Colin Simon wrote: You better be at the gate waiting for the loop road to open first thing in the morning. Heavily caffeinated.
You can access Solar Slab from the pullout south of where the loop road ends. Then at least you don't have the time restriction.
Roman G · · Brooklyn, NY · Joined Aug 2013 · Points: 205

I will be giving it a shot in a week. Gonna get there super early, dip my self in 2 gallons of sun screen and go for it via Solar Slab Gully. Gonna see how far I can get and bail if I start smelling my skin burning.

Ryan Watts · · Bishop, CA · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 25
SexPanther aka Kiedis wrote:The gully kinda blows. Good luck anyway.
We can both agree on that one. When I did Solar Slab there was a guided party of 3 on Johnny Vegas so we figured we'd just cruise up the gully instead of waiting / asking to pass. Mistake. The gully is a straight choss forest.

Some other random Solar Slab beta: do not rap the route. Do the walk off or black Orpheus rappels.

In retrospect, some of my dislike of the route could be due to the above. I'll hold off judgement until I do it properly.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Nevada
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