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Plein Air

5.11, Trad, 8 pitches, Grade IV,  Avg: 3.2 from 6 votes
FA: Ken Dog & Co.
Nevada > Southern Nevada > Red Rocks > (16) Black Velv… > Texas Wall / W Velvet…
Warning Access Issue: Red Rock RAIN AND WET ROCK: The sandstone is fragile and is very easily damaged when wet. DetailsDrop down

Description

Pitch 1: Climb 5.7 chimney for 90 feet, passing 2 pro bolts, to a 2-bolt rap/belay station on a ledge. Walk west along this ledge, tunneling under the big chockstone. In about 200 feet there is a chimney/gully with a varnished face above it. Belay here.

Pitch 2: Climb the chimney/gully to a 2-bolt rap/belay station on the face to the right (5.7, 80 feet). This station is a recommended rap station, but is an optional belay station, since it can be bypassed and this pitch can be combined with the next pitch, if desired.

Pitch 3: Step right and climb delicate ramp to a pro bolt. Now go up to left-facing corner system which leads to a large ledge with a 2-bolt rap/belay station (5.9, 100 feet)

Pitch 4: Step right and climb crack to base of big chimney where there is a 2-bolt belay station which can be bypassed on the rappels. (5.7, 60 feet)

Pitch 5: Climb offwidth crack (5.10d) through big roof at the base of the chimney. A sequence of one or two #3 Camalots, one #4, one #5, and one #6 provide good pro until over the roof. The crack continues to be wide (5.10a) up to the 2-bolt hanging belay/rap station, so another #3, #4, and #5 may be useful. (120 feet, 5.10d)

Pitch 6: Surmount small, exposed roof with jam crack, then go straight up via slick face and small cracks to a small comfortable ledge with a 3-bolt belay/rap station. There are 3 pro bolts on the upper portion of this pitch. (160 feet, 5.10a/b, sustained)

Pitch 7: Go straight up from belay, following a crack in the exposed arĂȘte, which leads into a right-facing, right-slanting V-shaped crux corner with ultra-slick black varnish on its right-hand side. Tiny pro is possible here. A delicate traverse leads to the right side of the white overhang, after which a stance with a 2-bolt belay/rap station is reached. (140 feet, 5.10d/5.11a)

Pitch 8: Go straight up double cracks which are steep, varnished, and incipient. Step right and follow parallel thin cracks to a roof, above which easier climbing leads up and left to a large ledge with a 2-bolt rap/belay station. (130 feet, 5.9)

Location

Location: Climb the first 4 pitches of Twixt Cradle and Stone, to the base of the big chimney: Location of Twixt Cradle and Stone: This route lies on the North Face of West Velvet Peak, a couple hundred feet to the right of the major gully that lies just right of the Texas Tower area, but several hundred feet to the left of Great Expectations. Begin in the left-facing corner/chimney about a hundred feet to the right of Epinephrine.

Protection

Rack: Doubles up to #5 Camalot; one #6; possibly a 3rd #3. Several cams up to 0.5 inch. Descent: rap route with two 60 meter ropes.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

The Crux
[Hide Photo] The Crux
Plein Air climbs the roof to the left of Twixt, which is the chimney in the middle of the photo.
[Hide Photo] Plein Air climbs the roof to the left of Twixt, which is the chimney in the middle of the photo.
Brandon contemplating the offwidth roof
[Hide Photo] Brandon contemplating the offwidth roof
P7: The crux section of this pitch, fantastic!
[Hide Photo] P7: The crux section of this pitch, fantastic!
P5: An optional offwidth move or two gets you into the layback around the roof.  Fun, strenuous.
[Hide Photo] P5: An optional offwidth move or two gets you into the layback around the roof. Fun, strenuous.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

earl mcalister
Las Vegas, NV
[Hide Comment] This is an excellent route. The wide crack layback (can't call it an offwidth) at the start is very challenging, the hand crack to face climbing on the next pitch is very engaging, and the crux dihedral is outstanding. It is a sustained group of pitches with a variety of styles and protection. Our rack: black alien to 4 camalot with doubles from green alien to #4, a single #5 and #6. You could easily substitute the #6 for a second #5, or if you're solid at face climbing around a wide crack (easy 5.10) a single #5 would be proficient. The holds on all pitches are fragile so protect as necessary. Nov 5, 2016
Brandon Gottung
CO Western Slope
  5.11-
[Hide Comment] Phenomenal four pitches once you get to where it splits w Twixt! Highly recommended. One of my favorites in Red Rock. I felt good having one each #4 Friend, #4 and #5 C4, #1 and #2 BigBro. No #6 necessary. Sweet placing everything #2 RP to #2 BigBro!!! Apr 30, 2017
Rprops
Nevada
[Hide Comment] I'd only take the big gear for the p5 OW. (#2-#5) I don't think there was an opportunity for anything smaller than #2 camalot. Also a third #4 wouldn't be bad. Oct 16, 2018
[Hide Comment] Can (barely) rap this route with an 80meter by using an off- route anchor on the 10a pitch. Worked great. Oct 27, 2018
Sarah-Min Donahue
Las Vegas, NV
[Hide Comment] This is an awesome route. For the OW pitch I brought, (2) #2 and #3's, (3) #4's, (2) #5's, and (1) #6. I was really happy with this rack. I think someone taller could get away with only (2) #4's but I followed Rprops advice and was thrilled. I am quite petite at 5'2" and could not reach for the ideal gear placements during the crux and bumping would have been risky so the extra gear was worth it. We rapped the route with an 80m rope. Apr 12, 2023