Return to RailRoad Peak (NV) via South Ridge, 12+ years later

Pics by Harlan W S
Feb 4, 2023

This ridge is exhilarating, but a bit creepy. As written up here, there is a class 4 crux and at least several exposed areas of 3+. However, it is possible to skirt the crux and worst exposed areas by dropping east onto very steep, miserable talus. Here is gpx file TO USE AT OWN RISK (DON'T just click on link; right click or long-press (tablet, phone) to bring up a menu that lets you "save as" or download file).

0map0a
The blue route is
for 2010, the red
for 2023 solo. The
"new" part of the red
route is mainly slow,
depending on how one
sticks to the exact
 ridge.
 0map1
This close-up
near the crux shows
how much the 2010
and 2023 routes
diverged. My newer
gps is dual-frequency,
and is less affected by
wall reflection errors.
 1map0
zoom out for context
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Typical lower route
in 2023. I won't
rejoin the 2010
route till top of
shadow in distance.
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turned around
180 degrees,
lower route.
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the 2010 and 2023
routes meet at saddle
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Now on 2010 route
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Railroad Peak
NOT visible yet.
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The crux. What looks
plausible to right, is
actually made of
very steep, slippery
slabs. To reach crux,
descend steep gully
ahead at R, then climb
left over wall into
shadows at base.
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The crux as seen in 2010.
There are actually no hard
moves, but the exposure
makes one cautious.
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View NW and down
at base of crux.
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View down (and S)
from top of crux
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Charleston Pk in
distance
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View N ~30m past
crux.
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I walked across that
serated edge, but came
to a dead end; smarter
move is to skirt it on R
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View back to S
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The rock is often
very steep, but
usually one can
find breaks.
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We came up about
20m to L in 2010.
The ridge is pretty
mellow until the N
side of peak 4040+.
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4040+ at L,
Railroad Pk at R.
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The register on 4040
is very fragile, and
dates back to 1967.
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Vernon Bostick was
just shy of 100 when he
passed away in 2013.
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Railroad Pk ahead,
from 4040+
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View back S to
4040+. There seems
to be a class 2 chute down
to W from this sadlle.
Traverse to Railroad
is rough, but need be no
worse than class 2+.
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The city of Henderson
officially annexed
RR Pk in 2022
(thanks Tracy!),
I first saw reports
of annexation plans
  in ~2005-6. I hope
they don't build
houses here.
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Peak to N of RailRoad;
I was there in 2005.
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View back on 4040+
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Sports bra drawn
in for modesty.
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Interesting peaklet
to SSW
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On my descent back to
car, I check out this
gully that seems to lead
to saddle between 4040+
and Railroad Peaks.
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zoom of gully