OT - intro to Canyoneering - your experience may vary

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Had my bro and his wife meet me an Kara out in Zion for a couple of days of canyoneering. You may remember I like to torture my older brother:
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-6888.html&highlight=minutes

probably payback for feeding me dirt cakes as a kid.

Figured I take them on the easiest technical canyon the first day a short 1 to 2 hour trip - teach them to rappel and then move on to more challenging adventures.

Whatever the reason, it seemed like it took forever to get them outfitted, wet suits, harnesses, belay devices, park permits, etc. - may have something to do with not having unpacked the 60m rope from the last time i was out 8 years ago or possibly leaving the guide book with directions back in the room. Got to the trailhead at 7pm, tossed a flashlight and headlamp into my bag and we headed off.

Bro was a bit pokey on the half mile scramble up the slickrock and then down a goat path to the beginning of the canyon - but not a big deal it was 97 degrees that day and it was super comfortable as we descended into the slot.

Everybody was psyched as we squirrelled through the canyon - though it seemed alot harder than i remembered - half a dozen tree and boulder clogged spots to navigate and quite a bit more water than I remember - fucking cold water, mid fifties - my shortie not quite cutting it - about an hour in I'm thinking this is probably not such a good idea- oh yes and sun is gone and its pitch dark.

But we arrive at the first rappel and I'm thinking - Its going to be a total bitch to scramble all the way back and we have a flashlight and a headlamp - so we should be fine.

So I spend 15-20 minutes explaining the fine points of rappelling and then make them show me there new skills - I'm very patient - they are confident they aren't going to screw it up - everyone is cool - that is until my headlamp slides off my helmet - it was very quiet in the canyon
- plink, plink (3 very long seconds) kersplush.

Three very concerned people turn to me - You didn't!

We shine the only flashlight over the edge - a pool of black water down about 40 feet. Maybe we should turn around - I'm thinking, no I just rap down check it and if I can't find the headlamp I'll just prusik back up the ropes and we can back track out. So down I go - the water is over my head - didn't figure on that - thrash around a bit get some slack and down i swim for the bottom - searching for the black pearl. But I forgot to take off my backpack/drybag which is acting like a perfect life preserver. I try once more - sort of like bobbing for apples getting 3 whole feet underwater. I finally toss the pack and swim to bottom - it was mind-numbingly cold but I think i see something - yessss could it be - no just the reflection of the light they are shining down from above - crap.

This is really really bad - one last try - I'm blindly groping the bottom and somehow flip the headlamp and it lights the pool.

3 more rappels with Kara bringing up the rear and doing the whole canyon one handed - clutching the flashlight

No one much wanted to canyoneer the next day - but some pics from today.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

sounds fun?

spectacular area

glad you did it
and not me Rolling Eyes

NWelleRN · Since 13 Aug 2008 7 Posts New Member

hilarious recount of the day's events Smile

I especially liked the image that came with you trying to go under water but with a practical life preserver strapped on your back lol. Wish there was video... will have to talk with kara when you guys get back to hear her version too....... Wink

but beautiful area- am jealous! Red rock well, rocks! We did angel's landing in Zion back in march- if you want to scare the crap out of your peeps, DO THIS HIKE! It was AWESOME!

eli_anderson · Since 04 Jun 2007 507 Posts Addicted

find any gold?

kitetele · Since 20 Mar 2005 121 Posts Portland, Oregon Stoked

Good work Gman! Cool adventures are to be had in that part of the country. Slot canyons are a blast .......watch for lightning and flash floods! More pics? Climb-on.

FunShui · Since 16 Jul 2006 146 Posts Really, really Stoked

Funny John and so awesome you found the headlamp at the bottom of the pool.

Your bro' is really trusting to have you take him on an adventure like canyoneering, especially considering you hadn't used your rope in...........8 years!

You're probably even from the dirtcakes now.

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

nice work gman,...and story

looks cool!! Twisted Evil

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

GMAN the last pick is the true adventure!!

The strange in Vegas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!