PRINT: Rock Climb Chrome Dome, Red Rocks

Chrome Dome

5.10a, Sport, 80 ft (24 m),

Avg: 2.1 from 150 votes
FA: Mike Ward
Nevada > Southern Nevada > Red Rocks > (04) Second Pul… > Hunter S Thompson Dome

Access Issue: Red Rock RAIN AND WET ROCK: The sandstone is fragile and is very easily damaged when wet. Details

Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm, the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN RED ROCKS during or after rain. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby.

HUMAN WASTE Human waste is one of the major issues plaguing Red Rocks. The Las Vegas Climbers Liaison Council and the AAC provides free "wag bags" in several locations (Black Velvet, First Pullout, Kraft Mtn/Bouldering, The Gallery, and The Black Corridor). These bags are designed so that you can pack your waste out - consider bringing one to be part of your kit (just like your rope and shoes and lunch) no matter where you go. Once used, please dispose of them properly (do not throw them in the toilets at the parking area).

Description

This route was said to be considered a 5.10, but I feel it is more in the 5.9 range. It is more difficult if you follow the direct bolt line (5.9+ maybe) but it appears that most parties stay left of the bolts until after the bulge.

*NOTE* This route is still relatively new as of this posting (11/06) and although I spent some time cleaning more of the broken rock, there is considerable breakage of the rock edges that haven't yet been worn down. I would advise wearing a helmet to belay until these routes get some more traffic.

Location

This route is located at the far left end of HSTD. Head left of the obvious roof behind an outcrop. You climb/shimmy/stem up a small chimney to a sloping ledge below this and the two other routes.

Protection

Seven bolts to mussy hook anchors

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Taylor entering the crux. Sustained climbing follows.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

steple

5.10a

I did this in Februrary 2011 and rock quality was no problem. It seems there has been enough traffic meanwhile. Jul 12, 2011

Andy Hansen
Longmont, CO

5.10-

I dunno... I mean even after I ate two dozen Christmas cookies this thing still felt like 10a. Good route and would be a good way to break into the grade. Dec 28, 2011

Edward Pyune
Las Vegas, NV

5.10a

FYI the Handren book has this route rated 5.10 a/b. Definitely not 5.9 Nov 24, 2012

Mtnfly
El Segundo, Ca

5.10a/b

This was harder than 5.9 for sure. Maybe someone who climbs harder routes most of the time might not think its that hard, but for someone who barely leads 5.10b this was still hard to follow cleanly. As people have said if you go left of the bolt line it is easier. This wall is great for those fun long 5.8 routes, not this route. Feb 4, 2013

Suburban Roadside
Abovetraffic on Hudson

grab a cup of coffee and a light rack stay on the route left ish, this is the verb sort of climb ,don't hang around, get on the rock, clock starts, so go . Jun 12, 2014

Cunning Linguist

^^^^^I swear, some posts just give me the willies. What the fuck does any of that mean? Jun 17, 2014

Arin F
Las Vegas

yeah, agreed, wtf? Jun 23, 2014

Cunning Linguist

The verb's the herb, glue your feet to the curb and jump down, turn around, pick a bale of cotton kinda route. No time for love doctor jones, roll the bones, kinda route, stay on the left, right, then be quick on your head foot, this route is enlarged to show detail, so let's drink from the bottle and get small, y'all.

If you know what I mean. That should help you climb this route. Jun 24, 2014

Harris Kashtan

5.10b/c

Definitely felt harder through the bulge, which is a little overhanging and you are pulling through on sloping crimps. I wonder if some holds might have broke off as this felt 10b/c to me. Good bolts and felt safe, just challening. Jun 6, 2023

Nicholas Moberg
Las Vegas

all the holds are there to keep it at 10A but there are some deceptively bad holds and the 15-20 feet of overhanging moves is pretty pumpy. fun route. feel like 5.9 would be a bit of a sandbag May 6, 2024

Andy Cao
Las Vegas, NV

5.10a

Not a "classic" 10a due to the relatively short 5.10 section, but the moves are full value and rock quality is solid. Definitely worth a tick! Jan 1, 2025