The Van Lifers

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No. 3: Las Vegas & Red Rocks


The Highs

Renee: So much awesome bouldering in Red Rocks! I also top roped outdoors for the first time (a 5.8 that I finished in approximately 45 minutes after only TWO panic attacks, thankyouverymuch).

Cheating and adding one more: one of our good friends comped us a room at the new W hotel which was hilariously decorated…think Sistine Chapel meets Cardi B. And yes, I WILL be modeling our future home after it.

Nick: Climbing in Red Rocks, and belaying/watching Renee do her first outdoor top rope route; hotel bar hopping around The W and taking the shuttle train to Shake Shack!

The Lows

Renee: We didn't get to camp in Red Rocks, and I really missed sleeping under the stars. Plus, in my opinion, Vegas itself gets really old, really quick when you’re not there specifically to par-tay on the strip. Our hotel was at the entrance to Freemont Street and bands would start at 11PM and I no longer know how to rave and everybody just needs to be quiet so I can sleep. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

Nick: What Renee said...getting a hotel across from Freemont Street -- it was suspiciously low-priced, and we quickly found out why.

What We Learned

Renee: Never overstay your welcome in Vegas if you want to go there again without hating it and hating yourself. I also learned that I can top rope outdoors (!!!), that bouldering in the desert is BOMB, and that going to Red Rocks any later than May is gonna be real hot.

Nick: To only ever go back to the Vegas Strip to get Shake Shack, and to trust Renee when she says, "If we only get one milkshake, I will not share," because she means it, and you won't get any, and you'll fight about it afterwards.