2 Heber brothers survive night in wilds

[Iceaxe]

I would like to hear the rest of this story. I'll take a WAG and say they planned to use the Moki Steps exit from the Mindbenders.... or heaven forbid, last week they read what a great winter route the North Fork was on this forum and then couldn't exit "The Crack" in snow....

:popcorn:

2 Heber brothers survive night in wilds

Deseret News
Monday, January 8, 2007

HANKSVILLE, Wayne County

[rockgremlin]

Yikes!!! I hope they weren't taking our advice and got stuck in the bottom of NFRR!! Although I could think of a lot of a lot worse places to be stuck in. :nod:

[Iceaxe]

If I had to put money on it I'd guess their escape route included the "Moki Step Exit" usually done as part of the Mindbenders. That is a North facing slope and a little snow or ice would make the route nearly impossable.

I'm trying to think of any other routes that could really trap you in the area. Most the other routes are in a crack system which I think you could probably climb with snow. I think the North Fork crack could probably be done with snow since it's north facing and most the big obstacales can probably be done with stemming or a partner assist.

Larry exits up a north facing crack and could be difficult with snow.

Can anyone else thing of some impossable exits with snow on the ground?

:popcorn:

[Scott Card]

If I had to put money on it I'd guess their escape route included the "Moki Step Exit" usually done as part of the Mindbenders. That is a North facing slope and a little snow or ice would make the route nearly impossable.

I'm trying to think of any other routes that could really trap you in the area. Most the other routes are in a crack system which I think you could probably climb with snow. I think the North Fork crack could probably be done with snow since it's north facing and most the big obstacales can probably be done with stemming or a partner assist.

Larry exits up a north facing crack and could be difficult with snow.

Can anyone else thing of some impossable exits with snow on the ground?

:popcorn:

My first thought was Larry. That crack and the steep slick rock to follow would be very nasty in the snow.

Hope we get the full story. :popcorn:

[icthys]

In order to give you the full story on some brothers from Heber I'd have to go to the Wasatch Co. Health Dept and request their pedigree charts! :roflol:

[Johnlithon]

When we did Larry over new years there were snow patches on the Moki steeps and it was pretty scare in spots...especially in the dark. Much more snow and it could have got really bad really quick:eek2:

[Iceaxe]

Just for fun.....

...and for those playing along at home who have never been...

:popcorn:

[Scott Card]

How pron is the Crux to snow? I can see the Larry and Mindbender exit as clearly in the open but I am not familiar with the crux and whether it is north facing.

[rockgremlin]

I'm gonna start carrying a batman grapling hook with me when I go canyoneering in the winter!

[Iceaxe]

How pron is the Crux to snow?

The crux of the Exit Slot is located in a south facing slot canyon.... So... I have no clue. Not sure how much of the day the crux would see sunlight.

[marc olivares]

In order to give you the full story on some brothers from Heber I'd have to go to the Wasatch Co. Health Dept and request their pedigree charts! :roflol:


is this "heber" humor? cause i dont get it.... :ne_nau:

[shaggy125]

And here is a link to a video of the moki exit from Not Mind Bender/Mind Bender.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1118076930644619813&q=04:08#0h04m08s

[Iceaxe]

Word is it was the Mindbenders and the problem was they could not exit the Moki Steps because of snow and ran out of daylight. So they built a fire until morning when SAR found them.

It sounds like the brothers did everything correctly. They had a check in person with a route description. When the brothers missed the check in SAR was called out.

I'll see if I can get one of the brothers to post more details

:popcorn:

[Scott Card]

And here is a link to a video of the moki exit from Not Mind Bender/Mind Bender.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1118076930644619813&q=04:08#0h04m08s

Thanks Eric. I can see how that would be virtually impossible/impassible with minimal snow or ice. YIKES :eek1:

[capn_blasto]

I'm trying to think of any other routes that could
really trap you in the area.

Blasto's beta sez just about any route in slickrock lands could be a trap when ice n' snow are involved. Heard those boys were using beta from a certain online "auteur" with initials SB who has a hot, young stripper wife, well...you know. Hee hee...time for some site edits I guess. :haha:

Better get out o' them motels sometime and see what's out thar in the snowy rocks.

[Iceaxe]

It's not the first time someone has spent a cold night because of something I wrote.... And I'm sure it will not be the last.

If you want a safe and protected adventure I suggest visiting Disneyland.

:five:

[icthys]

In order to give you the full story on some brothers from Heber I'd have to go to the Wasatch Co. Health Dept and request their pedigree charts! :roflol:


is this "heber" humor? cause i dont get it.... :ne_nau:

More of a small town in general joke.

[mma]

It was my brother and I that were stuck in Not Mindbender. We didn

[Scott Card]

Hey mma, thanks for posting. It takes courage to post around here and really, it sounds like you made the right decision to build a fire and stick it out till morning. Better to come home embarassed than in a box. My greatest fear is dealing with my wife if something like that were to happen.

[tanya]

[quote=mma]It was my brother and I that were stuck in Not Mindbender. We didn

[Iceaxe]

Thanks for the update and I'm happy everything turn out OK. That has to be one of the fastest SAR's in history. Sounds like you guys handled the situation as well as could be expected.

Deciding exactly when to call in the calvery (SAR) is always a tough call.

Looking forward to the pictures. :2thumbs:

[rockgremlin]

Much respect to you for manning up and admitting to it. That takes balls. It sounds like you guys made the wisest decision given your circumstances.

I have more respect for someone to owns up to a mistake, acts prudently, and relies on others for help, than to someone who makes unwise decisions that results in self-amputation. (The Blue John fiasco)

[shaggy125]

Yea sounds to me like you guys handled the situation as best you could. I had to bivvy on the MIA exit from Kolob (I'm sure most everyone interested has read my story already) and it was embarrassing to have SAR called on us, luckily we got out before they really started doing anything (they figured we just ran out of daylight, which we did, thanks to the wonderful permit system allowing an extra late start.) Much better to get a helicopter ride than die trying some nasty exit. I'd say you made the right decision. And good to hear you were prepared with the means to build a fire, etc... Could have been a lot worse I'm sure.

Eric.

[utidcapaco]

:ne_nau:
Since I don't know how all this works and have only heard the horror stories, is SAR going to charge you for your extraction?

[mma]

I think some counties charge for resuces, but as far as I know Wayne county doesn't. We haven't gotten a bill yet, so hopefully we won't get one.

[Iceaxe]

To the best of my knowledge only Grand County (Moab area) charges for rescue in Utah as a standard practice. I believe all the other counties retain the right to charge you but almost never do unless you are an absolute asshole or did something beyond stupid. As unbelievable as it might seem, I've heard some real horror stories from some SAR friends about guys being complete jerks after being rescued.

The National Parks System does not normally charge for a rescue, but they might ticket you depending on circumstance.

I would be extremely surprised if mma receives a bill, I think this SAR will be filed under "Shit Happens".

My advise to anyone involved in a SAR is to take the time to thank the SAR members, often the only payment SAR members receive is your thanks. I also believe you can make a donation to most SAR organizations if you feel inclined.

:popcorn:

[stefan]

My advise to anyone involved in a SAR is to take the time to thank the SAR members, often the only payment SAR members receive is your thanks. I also believe you can make a donation to most SAR organizations if you feel inclined.


sounds like great advice :2thumbs:

[tanya]

My advise to anyone involved in a SAR is to take the time to thank the SAR members, often the only payment SAR members receive is your thanks. I also believe you can make a donation to most SAR organizations if you feel inclined.


sounds like great advice :2thumbs:

I know for a fact that the Zion SAR Team appreciates Thank You's! :2thumbs:

[ratagonia]

To the best of my knowledge only Grand County (Moab area) charges for rescue in Utah as a standard practice. I believe all the other counties retain the right to charge you but almost never do unless you are an absolute asshole or did something beyond stupid. As unbelievable as it might seem, I've heard some real horror stories from some SAR friends about guys being complete jerks after being rescued.

The National Parks System does not normally charge for a rescue, but they might ticket you depending on circumstance.

I would be extremely surprised if mma receives a bill, I think this SAR will be filed under "Shit Happens".


If the Sherrif did not cite you for "creating a hazardous situation", then they will not charge you. In the Park (NPS) and many jurisdictions, they can charge you if you were doing something illegal. so first they cite you, then they make a mild attempt to collect.

Maybe without being TOO much of an ass (if possible), I don't file this under "Shit Happens", I file it under "Shoulda Known". North-facing technical exit, in the middle of winter, when it has snowed recently? Looking for trouble, as far as I can tell. Had either of you done this exit before, or talked with people that had? I worry about this exit when it is a little wet, as holds breaking off could be hazardous to your health.

Good at ya, taking care of yourself and not getting hurt. Sorry your Dad jumped the gun so you did not have the honor of rescuing yourself and having a good story of self-reliance. Maybe they should bill your Dad? Of the other exits marked on my map, the White Roost would be the surest bet. A long walk from there to the car.