Thursday 15 December 2011

Still in Vegas!

If there is one thing that I will take with me from our stay here in Vegas, its that The House giveth and then The House taketh away….

It all started innocently enough.  We arrived in Red Rocks, Las Vegas quite a few weeks ago now, and spent a couple of stellar weeks climbing in Red Rocks Canyon. 
Thats me on Dark Shadows

A couple of guys helping to catch our rope with sticks so it doesn't fall into the creek below Dark Shadows.

We did this climb called Triassic Sands - it follows the crack in the centre of the wall.  We could barely feel our toes when we first started out!
What can I say about climbing at Red Rocks?  There is something here for everyone - face climbing, cracks, long climbs, short climbs, easy & hard climbs. 

And "everyone" seemed to be climbing in The Black Corridor, in The Calico Hills!
There is a huge amount of climbing here.  I think its a great all-round destination, but the climbs in the canyons (multi-pitches) are probably the best.  That said though, even on multi-star climbs, the rock can still feel a little insecure in places (thin, flaky holds, sandy feet etc).


Stoked to be at Red Rocks! First Creek Canyon in the background.
The view looking back down into Red Rock Canyon - its made up of at least twelve major climbing areas.
Whilst we were really lucky with the weather ie, it didn’t rain or snow, it was still icy cold when we were climbing in the shaded canyons.  Climbing feels a little harder when you cant feel your toes!  So while we did get a fair bit done here, we were limited to having to look to the more sunny areas towards the end of the trip. 

Petroglyph at The Valley of Fire
Does it really look like an elephant?
Does it really look like a tarantula?  YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since then, the winter storms have started to roll in with increasing frequency & intensity.  There is now a light dusting of snow in some parts of the canyon and some accumulation on the peaks.
 
A snow storm descending on Red Rocks

After over 6 months of climbing, Mars’ elbow tendonitis had started to flare up again.  So rather than risk another injury, we decided to take some time off so that he could rest.  The deals for accommodation in Vegas have been sensational over the last couple of weeks.  So we took full advantage & stayed in a couple of gorgeous 4 star hotels for $45 a night.  This is when it all went off the rails…

View of the pool from our room at The Red Rock Casino

We’ve spent the last two weeks disoriented & dazed, wandering through an endless maze of bright flashing lights, slot machines and Blackjack tables.  Its like we’ve entered a parallel universe.  Time no longer exists.  There are no windows, no clocks and seemingly, no way out of the casino.   People around me are hypnotised by the chance to win the big one.  You can see the hope in their eyes…only to have it dashed again and again. 

The bright lights of The Strip

Somehow though, it felt like we were different.  Or should I say, Mars was different.  He won on nearly every game of Blackjack.  It was phenomenal!  Then, we both had a big winning streak, lasting a few days.  Somehow, we were beating The House!  Mars even tried his hand at the “Mega Bucks” slot machine – the chance to win $11m.  He won over $2,000 on that alone. 

Yay!
We were riding high!  The House went along with it too.  A couple of times, the pit boss arranged ‘dinner on the house’ for us.   What kindness!  But little did I know that it was all an evil ploy to keep us here as long as possible, to feed the gambling beast so that we would give back our winnings.  Instead, I looked on with pity to those who lost thousands and who then just kept putting on even bigger bets, hoping to win it all back in one hand. 
Then it all turned for us. 
I wasn’t so worried after losing a few times, that’s to be expected.  But then we both went days without winning anything.  Darkness descended.  The House was taking it all back!  Worried that my own motivations had resembled those of the most hardened gamblers (“I can win it back!”, “I just need to wait for the next winning streak”, “Just one more hand!”), I knew that it was time to get out.  I don’t gamble back home, yet there I was, that same deluded hope in my eyes.   
Luckily, we check out tomorrow – still in the black…just.    
To all of our family & friends; we hope you have a fantastic Christmas & New Years.  We will be thinking about you all this Christmas and wishing that we could be back home with you!