Red Rocks Climbing and a Bad Vibe

I recently moved back to the Springs for the summer from the south and have been hitting Red Rocks open space for some quick, convenient climbs. I have had a bad experience each time I've climbed there. There is always someone there who is either criticizing my technique (in an nonconstructive, air-of-superiority way. Worse yet, they're usually on the lower-rated routes, not to sound like an asshole) or obnoxious Easterners there to fulfill the image of a badass climber, slaying vicious 5.6 routes. Is there some gem I'm missing in the canyon? Is it just a shitty place to climb in general? Is there somewhere better nearly as close to the Springs (I'm aware of Shelf and place to the west, but I mean for a quick day trip)? Am I the douche in the canyon feeling better than everyone because I'm annoyed by the crowd?

Tell me if I'm the only one who feels this way, but I feel like Red Rocks just draws a weird, bad crowd, and I need other places to frequent. Suggestions?

Have you tried Devil's head in South Platte?

To answer your question, yes you are better than everyone else.

Huh. I haven't been in a while, and I climbed at RRCOS in the winter only. But we were usually left alone.

I ran into a big group of CMC college kids who had a couple of snotty members; but I also ran into some smaller groups of college kids who were really cool.

Nobody ever gave any advice, good or bad. And Locker probably would have disabused them of that notion if they tried...

I even ran into Stich there once! But he was hiking, not climbing.

The rock at RRCOS sucks, to be honest, but I still like it. The crumbly nature of the sandstone makes it a kind of adventure sport slab.

it is just a shitty place to climb.

and Shelf is great for a day trip.

locally there are some good routes at the East Face of Kindergarten in GOG.
mountainproject.com/v/east-…

Just curious, what was the "Bad technique" they were criticizing?

Prod.

RRCOS is not worth climbing unless you've got a group of beginners with you IMO. I've never had my technique critiqued climbing there but there's always hoards of people there and the rock/routes are not great. North Cheyenne Canyon has some good routes, Old Stage Road has a few classics (including Hurricane Ridge which is an ok crag), to reiterate Shelf is a quick drive, South Platte has too much to list and there's some relatively close areas.

Solid. Thanks for the input. I'll probably look at some routes on the East Face. How populated is it on an average day? I suppose I'm just in for longer drives. I have begun to feel more and more the way several of you have expressed you feel- that it's just not even worth climbing there.

Small waters attract small fish who wish to feel bigger. Sometimes it is hard to tell which those are.

Tony B wrote:Small waters attract small fish who wish to feel bigger.

Not sure if this is an accurate observation of the COS climbing community but it describes the business community to a T.

This last weekend, some muscled up meat heads had a top rope setup thru the rap ring (that's right 'ring' as in singular, he didn't even bother to thread thru both). The general rule is to top rope from your own gear using both anchors, not a single rap ring.

If you're going to climb where everyone can see, at least do it right.(Who knows how many kids saw that, and think its safe to do so). Personally I appreciate criticism, its an opportunity to learn.

It was as if these guys were only trying to show off for the young woman that was with them.

If you see someone endangering themselves or others, don't hesitate to point it out. Otherwise they'll keep doing it.

teece303 wrote:I even ran into Stich there once!

When was that? It's been a while.

To the OP, yeah, you get that sort of attitude at any nOOb crag. Let me guess, you were on the wall that's on the left when you first walk in the canyon (Saythers Wall) or the next one (Ripple Wall).

Anyway, just work on your scowling. This permanent frown on your face tells people, "Oh, if I say some smart shit I might get some lip. Errrr..." So they tone down the 'tude when they see you.

Go climb on the East Face of Grey Rock at Garden of the Gods. It's much nicer rock.