Das Boot, the Creation Story, Re-created

[ratagonia]

(The Teaser):

Das Boot, the Creation Story, Re-created
(April 25, 2008)
by Tom Jones ((c) 2008, Tom Jones)

I like playing the host. My home is Zion, one of the best homes in
the entire world, and I like showing it off to visitors, especially
those from foreign countries. Like Chicago.

Last year, a drought year, about the same time of year, I arranged a
Subway with a couple from Toronto who described themselves
as "strong hikers", but new to technical stuff. I walked in the
door of the Mean Bean at 8:03 to meet them, and there was a cozy
looking couple at the back table, just starting on breakfast. They
looked like strong hikers

[Scott Card]

The teaser worked. It is after Midnight and I just read the tale. Yikes. More comments tomorrow.

[Ryebrye]

Great post Tom... I was expecting it to be a historical story - and was pleased to read that it is a current one... (I'm doing the Subway on Saturday)


We would be wearing drysuits from ZAC, so the extra cold water exposure should not be a problem....

Having been in groups with people renting drysuits before (can't remember if it was ZAC or the other guys) I knew right away where this story was headed. A leaky rental drysuit turned a fun trip through imlay into an epic struggle for survival when one of the girls in our group was borderline hypothermic...

[quote]She is having trouble moving here legs

[rockgremlin]

Definitely one of the best canyoneering tales I've ever read. Aint it funny how if you immerse yourself in this sport long enough you'll eventually have a similar experience or two -- no matter how cautious and careful you are.

Thanks for sharing! :2thumbs:

[ratagonia]

----
Update: Oh wait... Tom - was this you in the story or someone else? When I read it, I was assuming it was someone else... Are you involved with ZAC these days?

I am a part-time canyon guide and instructor for ZAC this year, as I was last year, and thus partially involved in all other aspects. It's great. And there are a few things that need ironing out.

Tom

[Scott Card]

Again, Great read. Reminds me of doing Das Boot choprock style. I had my own screw up, near epic, in there.

My question is, what was your reasoning for setting up a guided rappel and not just blasting through to get your frozen friend out as soon as possible? Now this s a real question and I am not blasting you at all. I really appreciate understanding the reasons behind certain techniques. My thought is that she was already wet, had been swimming and getting her out and keeping her moving would be more important than avoiding the face shot? Just curious. :popcorn:

[ratagonia]

Again, Great read. Reminds me of doing Das Boot choprock style. I had my own screw up, near epic, in there.

My question is, what was your reasoning for setting up a guided rappel and not just blasting through to get your frozen friend out as soon as possible? Now this s a real question and I am not blasting you at all. I really appreciate understanding the reasons behind certain techniques. My thought is that she was already wet, had been swimming and getting her out and keeping her moving would be more important than avoiding the face shot? Just curious. :popcorn:

Actually, the Guided Rappel I thought would be quicker and easier than the rappel through the waterfall. The suits do not have a neck seal, so taking the face shot gets more water in the suit, and the head wet. Splashing into the water and getting off rappel could also be a problem. Given the circumstance, I thought the Guided Rappel was the faster and warmer alternative. maybe not faster, but also not particularly slower, and definitely more under control.

My overall experience is that guided rappels are faster than doing it regular. Yes, some overhead setting it up (which becomes less with experience), but once it is set up, people go down it much faster than working down a difficult rappel. YMMV, CCPD.

Tom

[Felicia]

Very enjoyable reading! :2thumbs:

[Deathcricket]

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You teasing bastage!!! Not I gotta wait to get home where the porn filter is turned off.
:frustrated:

[tanya]

Is your profile set to adult? :lol8:


Very nice Tom :2thumbs:

[Scott Card]

Actually, the Guided Rappel I thought would be quicker and easier than the rappel through the waterfall. The suits do not have a neck seal, so taking the face shot gets more water in the suit, and the head wet. Splashing into the water and getting off rappel could also be a problem. Given the circumstance, I thought the Guided Rappel was the faster and warmer alternative. maybe not faster, but also not particularly slower, and definitely more under control.

My overall experience is that guided rappels are faster than doing it regular. Yes, some overhead setting it up (which becomes less with experience), but once it is set up, people go down it much faster than working down a difficult rappel. YMMV, CCPD.

Tom

Thanks, that makes sense particularly where the neck on the dry suit has no seal. To have a wet body core would have been particularly bad. Legs and feet are bad enough.