Zion: Telephone Canyon

[tanya]

The first shocker! Look at our first anchor! We saw it... we laughed... I went off to take photos and when I wandered back the guys had rigged it.
:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

As usual we tried to find out if the canyon we were going to do was dry or if there was water.... everyone we asked told us dry.. dry.. dry! But it was wet.. :eek2: wet... :eek2: wet!!! :eek2: and so dang COLD! The other shock we had was what a beauty! I wish I had pictures of what we dropped into but I was too busy trying to avoid the BIG COLD POOL of water, then I had to get over the snowberg and over another pool of COLD WATER -- and all too soon I was past that section -- and Bo had my camera anyway and he was still up top and would have ran into the same problem.... stay dry if you can! By the end we were all pretty wet. :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

[tanya]

My 2nd Shocker :eek2: :eek2: --- well this guy can be shocking for those that know him :five: and if you know him you know we can't say his name on the internet, :ne_nau: but I call him Bushwhacker. :nod:

See what he is hanging off of? Yes! Another tree and this one was on the edge of the rock!!! As in where are the roots to hold it in place?
:eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

Notice we all wear dark colors knowing we are going to be in yucky burnt stuff down there.

[tanya]

So... the Bushwhacker had gone down first and got us all past the first pool all nice and dry, but he sends me over the snowberg (we knew one of these were going to break sometime in the day but we got lucky) and I turn the corner to see the 2nd pool of water. I had gone first and did manage to stay dry (it was not easy! :eek2: ) so I got to hang out on the other side of that pot hole and take Bo's and Bushwhackers pictures while they tried to stay out of the COLD water... and while doing that I step in water. :cool2: And it was DANG COLD but it was only the first taste of the cold! BRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.... and now my toes are getting really really cold! I can't remember if the guys got wet at all but it did not matter much because ahead there was no way to avoid getting in the water. :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

[tanya]

There were some nice rappels too.

[tanya]

So.. Bo being the gentleman :nod: :five: he is brought along a wetsuit for me just in case it got cold... and when we got to where we could no longer avoid the pools I put that sucker on since the guys just were not going to wear it. So... why was I still so COLD! My feet were freezing.. it was cold in that place! These 2 were covered in goosebumps.. we could not feel our toes... they were so stiff it was painful to walk.

I might as well tell you before Bo does, that yeah.. I put his wetsuit on backwards. I debated the issue but the pretty writing was on the front, but it sure did not fit so well. I had all this extra butt material on my belly. :mrgreen: But I was so cold.. I left it that way. I was not about to change. The guys thought that was really funny. :roll:

Then comes the hole! I peer over the edge and there is the Bushwacker grinning and standing in ice cold water waiting for me. What a nice guy! :nod: :five:

Yeah guys... there is so much pressure to get up one on these two. :cool2:

So there is the Bushwhacker in the Ice Cold water and he tells me to sit on my butt and slide into the pool! :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

I was not thrilled! :eek2: :frustrated: I think he was though. :lol8: There is a bit of the devil in that one! :nod: So... I hesitate.. complain... refuse.. debate... (all this while the guy is standing in cold water) -- so he pulls me in!!! :eek2: ... but he caught me. :nod: :2thumbs: :five: That was not so bad. :nod:

Bo's turn. :lol8:

Near the end.... we are not getting in so many pools so it's actually colder in the wetsuit than out of it, so I change. I had 4 shirts on to start the early morning hike up the West Rim Trail, and I wanted to keep the black shirt on top due to all the black stuff in the canyon, but somehow I got pink on top --- I have not made it through all the photos yet, but that poor pink top was pretty black at the end of the canyon. :ne_nau:

[Bo_Beck]

I will be the first to say that it was probably one of the most beautiful canyons I've had the pleasure to experience. The massive snow-bridges that were encountered made it even more special for me. Thanks Kip and Tanya.

PS.....I still think I could have done that last pothole without getting wet!

[tanya]

It was a beauty! I am impressed you got to that last anchor. :haha: I only wish I had a photo of you standing on the Bushwhackers back to do it. :lol8:

[Bo_Beck]

It was a beauty! I am impressed you got to that last anchor. :haha: I only wish I had a photo of you standing on the Bushwhackers back to do it. :lol8:

Just show me more pictures please! I want to see some of the "snow-bridge" photos! Please!

[tanya]

I will look for some. My pictures don't do this canyon justice at all! I was too cold to care! That is not like me! :haha:

[tanya]

I will be the first to say that it was probably one of the most beautiful canyons I've had the pleasure to experience. The massive snow-bridges that were encountered made it even more special for me. Thanks Kip and Tanya.

PS.....I still think I could have done that last pothole without getting wet!

So we have been in this wet/cold canyon freezing our buns off and we are at the final rappel. We can see the sun!!! We want to get there. First we had to do the stand on the back tecnique to rig the rope and then there was another problem. There was a deep and big pool at the bottom of the rappel, which of course Bo could have avoided, and then he would have helped the other 2 of us, but just to be on the safe side the Bushwhacker did what he does best... he went Bushwhacking! He almost took Bo out with a big rock to the side of the head but he made it up the mountain and down to the pool and guided me to dryness then Bo. I mean then he guided Bo, not that he guided me to Bo. :mrgreen:


Bo! Notice your snow bridge below! I will look for more but mostly they just look like dirty snow from the angles we got.

[abirken]

What an awesome day you guys had!!!! Tanya, by some of your expressions, you can see how cold you were feeling. HEHE!! I guess I get mine soon enough at noobfest! :haha: Glad you guys had a great time and made it back safely. :2thumbs:

[Iceaxe]

I have always avoided Telephone canyon because I was under the impression it was Behunin-ish. And we all know how much I like that worthless excuse for a wasted day... Looks like I might need to reconsider.

Heck, if I did Telephone I might even do Behunin again on the way out just cause it's there.

:popcorn:

[tanya]

I have always avoided Telephone canyon because I was under the impression it was Behunin-ish. And we all know how much I like that worthless excuse for a wasted day... Looks like I might need to reconsider.

Heck, if I did Telephone I might even do Behunin again on the way out just cause it's there.

:popcorn:

I want to go again to take more photos! I missed so much. So... come down this weekend and lets do them. :haha:

[tanya]

Bo all smiles :nod: even though it was so COLD! :eek2:

[oldno7]

Nice Tr guys---man, it seems like the cold will never go away this year.

[tanya]

Thanks Kurt. It was a trip with lots to laugh about. :five:

[Iceaxe]

It was a trip with lots to laugh about. :five:

Cold water does that to men....

:roflol: :roflol: :roflol:

[oldno7]

I'm a pretty slow hiker, it took me 2 1/2 hrs to reach the top of Behunin, How much further is the Telephone drop in?(I know quite a bit more elevation gain)

[tanya]

It was a trip with lots to laugh about. :five:

Cold water does that to men....

:roflol: :roflol: :roflol:


Yeah :lol8: But I never look down there!!! :twisted: Really! :nod:

[tanya]

I'm a pretty slow hiker, it took me 2 1/2 hrs to reach the top of Behunin, How much further is the Telephone drop in?(I know quite a bit more elevation gain)

These 2 guys kicked butt going up that hillside.. and they carried all the weight so it was easy for me. It was a few switchbacks past Behunin.. quite a few.

If I say too many it will scare Ice off and he will never show up to do it. :lol8:

[Iceaxe]

I've done that hike before carrying some weight.... same as Heaps to the Spring... left for Heaps, straight ahead for Telephone. :cool2:

I'm still wondering if I have to actually kiss Bo to get him to carry my gear.... I mean I'd do it.... I might not like it.... but I'd do it....

:lol8:

[tanya]

Luckily for you the trail is closed right now so you are off the hook anyway. :haha:

[oldno7]

Life sure is easier(hiking) when you don't have harness,ropes,wetsuits along. :lol8: Bo----

[tanya]

Life sure is easier(hiking) when you don't have harness,ropes,wetsuits along. :lol8: Bo----


It is!!! Bo is awesome! I really appreciate him!

[Bo_Beck]

I've done that hike before carrying some weight.... same as Heaps to the Spring... left for Heaps, straight ahead for Telephone. :cool2:

I'm still wondering if I have to actually kiss Bo to get him to carry my gear.... I mean I'd do it.... I might not like it.... but I'd do it....

:lol8:

Sure Shane! I'll carry your gear!

You get to carry the ropes though :haha:

[Bo_Beck]

It was a trip with lots to laugh about. :five:

Cold water does that to men....

:roflol: :roflol: :roflol:


Yeah :lol8: But I never look down there!!! :twisted: Really! :nod:

It was really hard not to look down "there" with the backwards wetsuit :lol8:

[Bo_Beck]

Life sure is easier(hiking) when you don't have harness,ropes,wetsuits along. :lol8: Bo----

Just training for future endeavours! It would be nice though to be able to just run up there in speedos and a bottle of water and zip through !
:lol8:

[oldno7]

Luckily for you the trail is closed right now so you are off the hook anyway. :haha:

Is it closed completely?
We saw the large bags they were using to haul off the broken out concrete.
What a fun job--breaking up concrete all day with sledge hammers(not)

[Bo_Beck]

I'm a pretty slow hiker, it took me 2 1/2 hrs to reach the top of Behunin, How much further is the Telephone drop in?(I know quite a bit more elevation gain)

2 1/2 hours? Well at that rate you would have been at the head of Telephone in another 1/2 hour or so?

[Bo_Beck]

I will look for some. My pictures don't do this canyon justice at all! I was too cold to care! That is not like me! :haha:

I really hope some of the pictures that we took on top of that big snow bridge with the crevasse came out.....That was sooooooo coooool!

[tanya]

It was a trip with lots to laugh about. :five:

Cold water does that to men....

:roflol: :roflol: :roflol:


Yeah :lol8: But I never look down there!!! :twisted: Really! :nod:

It was really hard not to look down "there" with the backwards wetsuit :lol8:

oh :oops:

[tanya]

Luckily for you the trail is closed right now so you are off the hook anyway. :haha:

Is it closed completely?
We saw the large bags they were using to haul off the broken out concrete.
What a fun job--breaking up concrete all day with sledge hammers(not)

I believe so and it's been closed since the fire up there I think about a year ago?

[Bo_Beck]

It was a trip with lots to laugh about. :five:

Cold water does that to men....

:roflol: :roflol: :roflol:


Yeah :lol8: But I never look down there!!! :twisted: Really! :nod:

It was really hard not to look down "there" with the backwards wetsuit :lol8:

oh :oops:

Actually Tanya...I would never have noticed unless Bushwacker hadn't said something :nod:

[tanya]

It was a trip with lots to laugh about. :five:

Cold water does that to men....

:roflol: :roflol: :roflol:


Yeah :lol8: But I never look down there!!! :twisted: Really! :nod:

It was really hard not to look down "there" with the backwards wetsuit :lol8:

oh :oops:

Actually Tanya...I would never have noticed unless Bushwacker hadn't said something :nod:

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

:bath: :doorpeak:

[Bo_Beck]

Luckily for you the trail is closed right now so you are off the hook anyway. :haha:

Is it closed completely?
We saw the large bags they were using to haul off the broken out concrete.
What a fun job--breaking up concrete all day with sledge hammers(not)

I believe so and it's been closed since the fire up there I think about a year ago?

Yes...it is and has been closed. Luckily we were able to do some surveying for the park on our Backcountry Patrol. Still a ton of standing Deadfalls that need to be felled. One of the biggest we saw was ready to crash down with the slightest breeze!

[tanya]

Luckily for you the trail is closed right now so you are off the hook anyway. :haha:

Is it closed completely?
We saw the large bags they were using to haul off the broken out concrete.
What a fun job--breaking up concrete all day with sledge hammers(not)

I believe so and it's been closed since the fire up there I think about a year ago?

Yes...it is and has been closed. Luckily we were able to do some surveying for the park on our Backcountry Patrol. Still a ton of standing Deadfalls that need to be felled. One of the biggest we saw was ready to crash down with the slightest breeze!

Yeah... something like the first and 2nd "trees" we rappelled from! :eek2:

[Bo_Beck]

Luckily for you the trail is closed right now so you are off the hook anyway. :haha:

Is it closed completely?
We saw the large bags they were using to haul off the broken out concrete.
What a fun job--breaking up concrete all day with sledge hammers(not)

I believe so and it's been closed since the fire up there I think about a year ago?

Yes...it is and has been closed. Luckily we were able to do some surveying for the park on our Backcountry Patrol. Still a ton of standing Deadfalls that need to be felled. One of the biggest we saw was ready to crash down with the slightest breeze!

Yeah... something like the first and 2nd "trees" we rappelled from! :eek2:

:lol8: :ne_nau: :lol8: :rockon:

[ratagonia]

Nice Tr guys---man, it seems like the cold will never go away this year.

Great picture of Bo!

Hey, is that an actual "Guided Rappel" y'alls set up? thought Bo was oppossed to all that fancy ropework, and wouldn't that require rappelling single strand?

May I assume there IS a usable anchor for the first rap - and that the tree on the ledge survived last year's firestorm. Lot's of trees near the Telephone Canyon trail attempt to kill you?

Tom

[tanya]

Nice Tr guys---man, it seems like the cold will never go away this year.

Great picture of Bo!

Hey, is that an actual "Guided Rappel" y'alls set up? thought Bo was oppossed to all that fancy ropework, and wouldn't that require rappelling single strand?

May I assume there IS a usable anchor for the first rap - and that the tree on the ledge survived last year's firestorm. Lot's of trees near the Telephone Canyon trail attempt to kill you?

Tom

Depends on if you think that little black burnt stuff is "usable" :eek2:

I would not say it survived! I would say it's hanging on by a TINY thread! :eek2: :eek2:

The rest of the trees were just fine since the guys did not try and hang off those! :lol8:

[Bo_Beck]

Nice Tr guys---man, it seems like the cold will never go away this year.

Great picture of Bo!

Tanya takes some great shots! I hope there are more to come? I took a lot with her camera as well, but I don't know how they turned out? Hopefully some good shots?

Hey, is that an actual "Guided Rappel" y'alls set up? thought Bo was oppossed to all that fancy ropework, and wouldn't that require rappelling single strand?

Yes it is a guided rappel. It was the last rap and we were opposed to getting wet. I was ready to go down first and try to pendulum to a ledge to try to stay dry, but prepared to swim when "bushwacker" remembered that he had traversed over the top once before, but wasn't sure. When I was getting set to start down, there he was at the bottom. It was a sketchy traverse, so Tanya and I obliged and took his offer of a guided rappel. I had him not guide me and I tried to do the pendulum at the bottom and was unable to get to the ledge and ended up in the water, but then he guided me out and onto dry ground! :roflol: The anchor for that last rappel is 8' up from the canyon floor right side LDC and is out over the rap. It was a trick to stand on his shoulders while Tanya belayed me from up canyon and then thread the ring! :five:

May I assume there IS a usable anchor for the first rap - and that the tree on the ledge survived last year's firestorm. Lot's of trees near the Telephone Canyon trail attempt to kill you?

It's useable today, but probably not later on? There is a tree that someone had slung on the right side LDC that was used to get to the next anchor (a tree 30' down on a ledge) but required a sketchy traverse with potential of a big pendulum?

Tom

[Bo_Beck]

Nice Tr guys---man, it seems like the cold will never go away this year.

Great picture of Bo!

Hey, is that an actual "Guided Rappel" y'alls set up? thought Bo was oppossed to all that fancy ropework, and wouldn't that require rappelling single strand?

May I assume there IS a usable anchor for the first rap - and that the tree on the ledge survived last year's firestorm. Lot's of trees near the Telephone Canyon trail attempt to kill you?

Tom

Oh yeah Tom! The tree on the ledge 30' down from the top is just healthy and happy! The fire didn't make it's way into the canyon. Everything on top is pretty scorched though. I'm guessing that soon folks will have to use the tree that is way out of the fall line to get down to the tree for the second rappel though.

[tanya]

A couple of area shots. You can see from that running water at the top of the canyon that we were going to get wet. :eek2: The other shot shows the burn. :popcorn: The Bushwhacker and Bo are standing at the head of the canyon tying stuff on that burnt twig. :roll:

[tanya]

Staying dry :nod: and sometimes you are just going to get wet. :eek2:

[tanya]

:eek2: :eek2: And just what does he want me to do with that rope. Since he is so trusting... why not. :haha: :twisted: -- and a rappel that quickly headed around the corner loosing site of the one on rope.

[tanya]

The is a cool rappel that Bo is on, but again I got over a pool and was not under the shot. :frustrated:

And why don't I see a rope in this picture? Did we downclimb into that hole or what!?!?! :eek2:

[tanya]

Bo on rappel and Bo's turn to slide into that hole! How did the Bushwhacker ever get in there. :cool2:

[tanya]

The Bushwhacker and Bo on rappel :popcorn:

[tanya]

Amost to the end of the canyon.

[Bo_Beck]

For being so cold, I think you got some really nice shots! :2thumbs:
I still am anxious to see more of the shots I took of you! :nod:

[Bo_Beck]

Amost to the end of the canyon.

This shot of you is really cool! This was a shot taken just above the really big snow bridge. Did you get any good ones of the snowbridge crossing? :ne_nau:

[Bo_Beck]

Bo on rappel and Bo's turn to slide into that hole! How did the Bushwhacker ever get in there. :cool2:

This is the hole/tank that he went over to the right (LDC) and jumped onto a large snowbank which broke off when he hit it. It didn't give us much to land on, so he opted to hop into the pool and assist us down. Thank you Bushwacker! :2thumbs:

[DiscGo]

What an awesome trip report! Thanks for posting this Tanya!

[accadacca]

Yep. stellar TR. :popcorn:

[Bo_Beck]

I got to wondering so called Backcountry and found out that Telephone Canyon Slot Hike is open, but Telephone Canyon trail is closed. There is no trail after a hundred yards or so anyway, and you'll need to just pick the easiest route through the burnt out forest to get to the head of Telephone Canyon. There is ribbon stretched across the trail at West Rim Spring that says that the trail is closed (which it is) but if doing the slot canyon route a permit will be issued. Be super careful with the snow bridges as they might become a problem as the weather warms and they become thin.

[tanya]

Thanks Guys... it was a unique trip. :lol8:

Wow! It's open! Good News... someone else can go and freeze their tush off in there. :five:

[Iceaxe]

I got to wondering so called Backcountry and found out that Telephone Canyon Slot Hike is open, but Telephone Canyon trail is closed.

Thanks for watching out for us and the update. :2thumbs:

[Scott Card]

Very nice. I am like Shane. I never really considered this canyon before. I just might have to put it on the list. First, the full Imlay this summer. Hee Hee.. can't wait.

[tanya]

Not having done it in the summer my guess is that you guys would like it better in the spring... me I would like it in the summer. The water makes it prettier. Tom suggested that you do Telephone and finish with Behunin. That would be a cool day.. but we were already cool enough after Telephone. :haha:

[Bo_Beck]

Very nice. I am like Shane. I never really considered this canyon before. I just might have to put it on the list. First, the full Imlay this summer. Hee Hee.. can't wait.

I would have to agree with Tom. If you expend the effort to hike all the way to the top of the West Rim, it would make perfect sense to finish up Telephone Canyon with Behunin! :2thumbs: That would be a fun, full day of beauty! :nod:

[Win]

Great TR, thanks for showing me another place I'll never be. :2thumbs:


Win

[tanya]

After the Bogley Noobfest you might get addicted and head for these places with us! :nod:

[oldno7]

After the Bogley Noobfest you might get addicted and head for these places with us! :nod:

My goal this summer is to get Yo on rappel and into 1 easy canyon.
Whatya say Win, We can practice at Redcliffs(rappeling)

[tanya]

After the Bogley Noobfest you might get addicted and head for these places with us! :nod:

My goal this summer is to get Yo on rappel and into 1 easy canyon.
Whatya say Win, We can practice at Redcliffs(rappeling)

I bet we will have room to sqeeze her in on Keyhole for the Bogleyfest! Should we put her down Win? I would not shock her with Pine Creek and Subway yet, but Keyhole she will get a good taste of canyoneering. She would want a nice drysuit which she could rent in Springdale.

[Iceaxe]

Great TR, thanks for showing me another place I'll never be. :2thumbs:

:lol8: not going to happen.... if we get our hands on you at noob fest you will never be the same.... It's kinda like sex.... once you start it's hard to stop. So you keep doing it until you need glasses.... err... something like that...

:five:

[Win]

:roflol: You folks are the best. :2thumbs:

I would love to see Yo in Keyhole, might just work. She really doesn't like heights! But is getting a lot better at it.

Shane I remember something about sex from a while back. Seems I was unmarried and in my 30s at the time.

I'm really psyched to get out, just hope the old body holds up. :eek2:



Win

[Iceaxe]

I remember something about sex from a while back.

It's like riding a bike... just keep peddling....

:roflol:

[tanya]

:roflol: You folks are the best. :2thumbs:

I would love to see Yo in Keyhole, might just work. She really doesn't like heights! But is getting a lot better at it.

Shane I remember something about sex from a while back. Seems I was unmarried and in my 30s at the time.

I'm really psyched to get out, just hope the old body holds up. :eek2:



Win

Don't worry. Shane will carry you out if you get tired. :mrgreen:

[Iceaxe]

Don't worry. Shane will carry you out if you get tired. :mrgreen:

Not for all the beer in Springdale!!!

:lol8:

[tanya]

Don't worry. Shane will carry you out if you get tired. :mrgreen:

Not for all the beer in Springdale!!!

:lol8:


But you are so strong and manly! :Ahnuld:

[tanya]

Hey Bo... we still need to put this one on the website!