Technicolor UT Desert Part 2 of 3 – Escape from Alcatraz! Scuba Gear, A Bolt Gun and the Batmobile

PART TWO of a series of three from my Memorial Day weekend adventure.

Part One:     http://hfrank007.wordpress.com/2009/06/13/technicolor-ut-desert-part-1-of-3-the-desert-washes-away-horseshoe-canyon-canyonlands-np/

Part Two: HERE! 

Part Three:  http://hfrank007.wordpress.com/2009/06/14/technicolor-ut-desert-part-3-of-3-the-trail-of-tears-and-bumpers-and-more-flash-floods-and-stinging-goobers-home/

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A definition for those new to the term CANYONEERING, with my edited notes  in RED:

 

Canyoning (known as canyoneering in the U.S.) is traveling in canyons using a variety of techniques that may include walking, scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling, (rapelling) and/or swimming. (Cursing, hip/butt/boob jamming through cracks,  shoulder/face stands on a buddy, doggie paddling, giggling and whooping out of control.)

Canyoning is frequently done in remote and rugged settings and often requires navigational, route-finding and other wilderness travel skills  including after midnight coffee drinking, plowing through muddy sand dunes, high speed off road chases after lost friends and Subaru bumper reattachment.  Oh, and road engineering.

Canyons that are ideal for canyoning are often cut into the bedrock stone, forming narrow gorges with numerous drops, beautifully sculpted walls, and sometimes spectacular waterfalls.  Though running waterfalls while canyoneering would be BAD. 

Canyons can be very easy or extremely difficult, though emphasis in the sport is usually on aesthetics and fun rather than pure difficulty. A wide variety of canyoning routes are found throughout the world, and canyoning is enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels.  Harder slot canyons are enjoyed by idiots who enjoy being pushed through a meat grinder and having cold, muddy water infiltrate every pore on their body.  But they love it!  (Except the famed Grim Weeper and Team Estrogen.)

Canyoning gear includes climbing hardware, static ropes, helmets, wetsuits, and specially designed shoes, packs, and rope bags.   Also handy are scuba gear, bolt placing guns and a batmobile. 

 

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Dear Journal: 

I woke this AM to others already well into breakfast.  Why do I always feel behind in the AM with these guys?  Wait, Cupcake Kurt’s still asleep.  He can sleep through an earthquake.

I was nervous to canyoneer today. Pics from a previous canyoneering trip of Leetard’s shivering body and blue lips flashed through my head.  I consulted in the leader/experienced canyoneer(er?) of the gang, “Cap’n Tom, I’m feeling weenie, tell me what to expect today. Will I die?” 

“Nah!  we shouldn’t lose anyone!”  Replied Cap’n Tom.  He filled me in on the length, time estimate, technical aspects and the hike out’s distance with the ever-present twinkle of mischief in his eye.

I knew I’d harbor regret and shame, while on my deathbed someday, if I woosied out. 

The road was washed out on the way to the canyon.  Problem? Nah! 

Camp Cookware.  Not just for cooking!  Rebuilding the road on the way to the drop-in point:

 

 

The slot canyon, named ALCATRAZ. Maybe 2/3 mile long, it took us three hours (?) to get through.  Just a skinny little gash opening up to a stunning vista:

 

 

I used to snort at the Nissan Xterra commercials where they rappel off the bumper.  Well…it works! 

Melisa prepares the rappel:

 

 

Tom rappeled off the SHADOWCRUISER and we all followed:

 

 

In I go!

 

 

Pics of dry spots, courtesy of Melisa, my camera was tucked into a dry bag.  There weren’t many dry spots…

L-R: Ray (The Scorpion), Matt, Kim, Emma, Agie, Matt chimneying through a section.

 

 

Top to bottom: John, Cap’n Tom, & Ray squeeeezing through.

 

 

 Talk about water!  

‘There was only one swimmer pothole and a couple knee deepers when we were here last!” Capn’n Tom remarked.  Rain roared through this slot yesterday.  Plenty was left over.   

First swim was a shocker but not as bad as I thought.  John kept asking me if I’m ok.  Seems my screetching,  once up to my waist in cold water (imagine that?), worried him.   I sent him some giggles to reassure him was ok.

So this is what sewer rats feel like after a city storm? 

Kurt aproaching a swimmer with trepidation:

 

 

And he’s in!

 

 

The last hurrah was a big swim.   No one touched the bottom.   The sun erased chattering teeth and goose bumps on the other side.  Have a video but I can’t get WordPress to open it and embed.  I’ll work on that later. 

Wet shirts peeled off, snacks refueled, cold bodies pressed against the sun baked canyon walls.  Bliss. 

“The Death March” out (must’ve been a couple hour hike out?) was beautiful.

 

Heavy, dark clouds loomed above:

 

 

 

No rain, a few rumbles, no lightning, thank goodness. (I’m terribly freaked out by lightning.)

Beautiful, swirling, gloppy, and finned rock formations:

 

 

 

Tom and Melisa taking a break:

 

 

And others:

 

 

Melisa pointed out these little flowers to me:

 

 

 

Yucca:

 

 

All made it, in one piece (though pooped, shredded, bruised and battered for some, esp. me!)

L-R:  (Top) Me, Barry, John, Matt, Ray, Kurt, Matt, Agie, Lee.   (Bottom) Becky, Emma (All the way from Sweden!), Tom, Melisa, Kim

 

 

Enjoyed margaritas back at camp.   Three cheers for Tom and his hand-crank blender!

 

 

Ray ate too much coal-cooked brisket and corn and broke the little chair he was sitting in.  ; )    Thanks, Melisa for sharing the pic!

 

 

Good food, good friends, a fun and wacky day…what more could a girl want?