Classic Hand Jam Climbing at Red Rock Canyon: Adam Floyd Climbing Handbone 5.10c

At Misty Mountain we love climbing, and we especially love crack climbing.  If you’ve ever scared yourself silly on some obscurely protected face, running it out way past the comfort zone, and then miraculously found a hand jam at the top, one that allows you to sink a jam and breathe, get in some pro and chill, then you know what we mean.  Hard to beat a good hand jam.

 

So what better way to start our Misty Mountain Blog, than by getting on some cracks?  Our sentiments exactly! So here we go, off on the great crack climbing journey.

 

Red Rock Canyon outside of Las Vegas is known for its long, moderate, multi-pitch climbs.  It’s also home to some splitter crack climbing and that’s where Misty Mountain is beginning its new Crack Climbing video series.

 

We’re following Adam Floyd into the Black Velvet Canyon for some sweet  jamming on Handbone, 5.10c.  This clean-cut hand crack starts with straight forward hand jams, but gradually gets more difficult as the crack constricts to tight hands and ring locks near the top.  Handbone has great rock quality, provides ample opportunities for gear, and its moderate grade possesses all of the elements of a classic hand crack.

 

Located in the beautiful and more isolated North side of the Black Velvet Canyon, Handbone sits high up on the ridge, providing unique views of the desert and surrounding area.  You won’t see many other people out here, but keep your eyes open for big horn sheep and other local wildlife.  Handbone gets morning and early afternoon sun, making it great for a sunny winter day.