wildebeard
Todo List
North Wash
Tick List
Stegosaur Slot - Capitol Reef
Date: 10/04/2017
Approach is fantastic, exit is fantastic. The canyon itself is short and not particularly interesting in my opinion. The rappels are very straightforward. The first anchor is bolted, and the rappel is down a slanted sandstone wall that is inclined just beyond the limit of a downclimb IMO. The second rap, at the exit, is ok, nothing special. The OP (Ryan) notes that there is a rap mid-canyon. This is true, but as of this trip there is a log set-up that allows for a downclimb. If this log is not present, a rap is advised and doable, as there are many natural anchors. I found the tight section to be doable too - at 5'9", 185lbs, I could slither through this section save for one part, towards the end, that is very tight but easily stemmable. Keep in mind I did this canyon solo, having to lug my backpack and rope bag through the tight spot, and did not find it scary. Red Breaks is tighter. All this said, while I enjoyed the canyon, I am not sure why it gets such high marks. The scenery is world-class, the canyon is really quite meh.
Approach is fantastic, exit is fantastic. The canyon itself is short and not particularly interesting in my opinion. The rappels are very straightforward. The first anchor is bolted, and the rappel is down a slanted sandstone wall that is inclined just beyond the limit of a downclimb IMO. The second rap, at the exit, is ok, nothing special. The OP (Ryan) notes that there is a rap mid-canyon. This is true, but as of this trip there is a log set-up that allows for a downclimb. If this log is not present, a rap is advised and doable, as there are many natural anchors. I found the tight section to be doable too - at 5'9", 185lbs, I could slither through this section save for one part, towards the end, that is very tight but easily stemmable. Keep in mind I did this canyon solo, having to lug my backpack and rope bag through the tight spot, and did not find it scary. Red Breaks is tighter. All this said, while I enjoyed the canyon, I am not sure why it gets such high marks. The scenery is world-class, the canyon is really quite meh.
Cassidy Arch Canyon - Capitol Reef
Date: 10/03/2017
I loved this canyon. The hike to the arch is beautiful, and rapping down through the arch itself is tons of fun. I brought a 200 ft. rope and 150 ft. pull cord, which worked just fine for the first (and fairly big) rap. Note that you might have an audience when start the slot, as the arch itself attracts bevies of hikers throughout the day. The rest of the canyon is really splendid. Great raps, pretty scenery. It is over all too soon. One note: be sure you follow the beta on the second rap. I hit the second (bolted) rap and foolishly though it was a short one. It is not, it is about 130 ft. After rapping down to a ledge before a big drop off, I realized my mistake and had to ascend my rope back up to the bolt and redo my rap. Amateur hour! :P All the same, I highly recommend doing this canyon, especially if you love rappelling!
I loved this canyon. The hike to the arch is beautiful, and rapping down through the arch itself is tons of fun. I brought a 200 ft. rope and 150 ft. pull cord, which worked just fine for the first (and fairly big) rap. Note that you might have an audience when start the slot, as the arch itself attracts bevies of hikers throughout the day. The rest of the canyon is really splendid. Great raps, pretty scenery. It is over all too soon. One note: be sure you follow the beta on the second rap. I hit the second (bolted) rap and foolishly though it was a short one. It is not, it is about 130 ft. After rapping down to a ledge before a big drop off, I realized my mistake and had to ascend my rope back up to the bolt and redo my rap. Amateur hour! :P All the same, I highly recommend doing this canyon, especially if you love rappelling!
Comments
Dunham Slot - Paria
Date: 2021-05-12
Comment: How was the anchor situation? Specifically the second dead man's anchor?
Stone Donkey Canyon - Paria
Date: 2021-04-19
Comment: Is it near enough the end that I could scout it out the first day and see if I fit? I'm 5'9", 165 lb...
Hogwarts Canyon - North Wash
Date: 2020-03-11
Comment: thx!
Dunham Slot - Paria
Date: 2019-04-17
Comment: I second this about the sand. I went down the hill halfway and barely got back out in a Subaru Outba...
Dunham Slot - Paria
Date: 2019-04-17
Comment: Dude, thanks for posting! I descended this canyon last year and aim to do so again in a week or two....
Lower Butler Wash - River Panel - Comb Ridge : Photo
Date: 2018-06-01
Comment: If anyone else is interested, a little googling suggests tracks were made by this: https://en.wikipe...
Lower Butler Wash - River Panel - Comb Ridge : Photo
Date: 2018-06-01
Comment: Any idea what made these prints? They don't look like a dinosaur.
Happy Canyon (via Poison Spring) - Dirty Devil
Date: 2017-12-07
Comment: Hey! You're picking GREAT weather to go out there. No, I haven't been yet, but I wish I had - I'd lo...
Monkey Business - West - West Butler
Date: 2017-11-27
Comment: Very valuable info. Thank you! I *was* wondering if the downclimbs would, as upclimbs, be challengin...
Monkey Business - West - West Butler
Date: 2017-11-27
Comment: Makes sense. I think if I try it I'd bring two ropes, and leave one at the first rap so I can ascend...
Monkey Business - West - West Butler
Date: 2017-11-27
Comment: Ahh, thanks! So, the bag toss *would*/*did* work? I've met some semi-keepers solo before and had onl...
Monkey Business - West - West Butler
Date: 2017-11-22
Comment: I'm trying to decipher how you escape the semi-keeper as one person based on the above photo - is th...
Happy Canyon (via Poison Spring) - Dirty Devil
Date: 2017-11-22
Comment: given some conflicting reports below it's not clear to me whether bikepacking from hwy 95 is possibl...
Stegosaur Slot - Capitol Reef
Date: 2017-10-05
Comment: The scenery to and from the canyon is fantastic. The canyon itself is short, with two meh raps, and ...
Dunham Slot - Paria
Date: 2017-10-03
Comment: Doesn't look like there's much soil in which to bury the deadman in your picture! :/
Spencer Canyon - Old Sheffield Road
Date: 2017-05-07
Comment: "Wetsuit required in cooler temps." What do you think qualifies as cooler temps? Was considering thi...