B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 20000; Flight Crew Type 3500
Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
Arriving on the KEPEC arrival we were given a heading after KEPEC and 8100' altitude. Previous [aircraft] cleared RNAV 7R (which we don't have) along with approach radio terrain clearances on in to 7R from the north. We were asked if we could see the field; we could. We were cleared the visual about 20 miles out. I placed a VNV 10 mi final with a 3 degree GS for 7R. Making a right dogleg to final and descending on that path and still ~12 mi) Southwest at 6;000' we received a 2500' call followed by 'Caution Terrain'. I was concentrating on managing the approach and keeping 7R in sight. I climbed to clear the warning. We were unable to see terrain in the dark desert headed into the bright lights of LAS. After I climbed the controller asked if I could see the terrain. This is not a good setup. At the time we had a tail wind and were going to land with a 15 kt direct crosswind. None of this alone makes an incident. I feel this is a setup by LAS Approach. KEPEC is not a good position to clear for the visual even up to about 15 miles out at night some guidance is required. I also wish we had an RNAV to 7R.
B737-800 Captain reports being offered a night visual approach to Runway 7R at LAS from over KEPEC; and accepting. During the maneuver a terrain warning is annunciated and the reporter pulls up to silence the warning before continuing.