Fat man's misery 6/7/08 NOOBFEST

[Jaxx]

To sum it up; long, up-downs, hot, super fun.

The group for fatmans was Me, Canyongirl, Chabidiah, Em, Tyson, and Emma. We got to the TH at about 8:00. After a few minutes of making sure we were in the right place, since we have gotten lost more than once, we were hiking at about 8:15. We did not put on our wetsuits at all. I did get to carry one the whole way though.

Once you find the trail it is actually pretty straight forward. Take a left, head east until you get to a large gully with a really big mountain on the other side. That is fatmans.
The first obstacle was about 12 feet tall, we slid and jumped down it. There was alot of fun downclimbing. One of the downclimbs you had to do an indiana jones swing on some webbing to get around. The narrows alternate with the open wash more than I was expecting. We got to a spot that was about 30 ft dryfall and noticed that there are 2 holes where bolts used to be. We backed up a little and climbed up to the right LDC to a tree and rappelled off that about 45 feet. A little farther down the canyon was some downclimbing/handlining and we just climbed up and to the left LDC and downclimbed down a steep little part to a rap off a tree into the confluence of the East and West forks of Misery.
We took a break to eat lunch and then made our way down to the last rap in the canyon. It was a fun overhang one that was about 60 ft tall. Some more downclimbing and we came to the "Grotto". It was extremely beautiful and dark. It was the first water we had seen all day. walking in the water made waterfalls into the next potholes. just down from that is the spring and then the East fork of the Virgin River. It was the best ending to a canyon I have ever seen. Except we were only half done.
We tried to hike to Labrynth falls but got stopped by a cliff that ran the whole length of the canyon, mabey that was Labrynth falls?
We found the Powell plaque so we knew we were at the right spot for the exit but it looked really steep. Up we went. Emma was having problems with her contacts and couldn't see real well so that was scary up the climb. Luckily it worked out and we got to the "top" and we weren't sure which way to go, the obvious was is to the left/west, but it was a really tall climb and we weren't looking forward to that.
It was the right way and after about an hour on the exit we finally reached the top where we could see the rounded nose near the exit canyon. Still alot of ground to cover but not as hard as what we had just done. The exit hike out isn't too bad after to get to the top of the first mountain but it is still hard. The sand was the worst part. The end canyon seemed like it would never end, but after 3 1/2 hours of hiking we were finally out. I am pretty sure that Tyson was getting dehydrated, but he survived.
TH to TH to was about 11 hours with about an hour of playing around in the river at the bottom.
After a few days of sleep and my thighs getting back to normal I would do the canyon again. That Virgin river is fantastic! :haha: :2thumbs:

Pics to follow when I get the right cord for my camera :roll:

[Jaxx]

better late than never I guess

Group at the top of the first climb. The road is way int he background, out of site. Had we known that the exit would be 10x that mabey we would've reconsidered...NAH!
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/jaxpb03/Fatmans%206-7-08/4groupontop.jpg

Pretty view on entrance hike to the South toward Paranuweap
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/jaxpb03/Fatmans%206-7-08/6Viewstosouthofcbmesa.jpg

The entrance to the canyon! Cool potholes at the beginning of fat mans
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/jaxpb03/Fatmans%206-7-08/14fmmstartpotholes.jpg

For some reason I didn't get my camera out until just before the confluence, busy dowclimbing I guess.

Steph and then Em on the last rap of the canyon, almost to the grotto.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/jaxpb03/Fatmans%206-7-08/23Stephrap3fmm.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/jaxpb03/Fatmans%206-7-08/25Emrap3fmm.jpg

Views in Grott, sorry about the quality.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/jaxpb03/Fatmans%206-7-08/29grotto.jpg
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/jaxpb03/Fatmans%206-7-08/30grotto.jpg

Steph, Tyson, and Emma in the grotto.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/jaxpb03/Fatmans%206-7-08/32StephTysonEmmagrotto.jpg

The end of the grotto leads to a spring. This is the view looking past the spring. The spring is just out of view on the right.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/jaxpb03/Fatmans%206-7-08/33canyonatspring.jpg

Steph splashing in the pool under the spring.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/jaxpb03/Fatmans%206-7-08/36Stephsplashingatspring.jpg

Group at the small double slide. About 30 feet from the East fork of the virgin at the end of FMM. From left to right: Emily(alpine butterfly), Emma, Chad(Chabidiah)-up high, Nick(Jaxx), Steph(canyongirl), Tyson(Tyson)
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/jaxpb03/Fatmans%206-7-08/45groupatdoubleslide.jpg

East fork of the virgin. A beautiful site on a hot day.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/jaxpb03/Fatmans%206-7-08/46Paranuweapatfmmexit.jpg

Almost to the top of the exit climb. There is still an hour or two left of up and down exit hiking. Steph looking a little crazy. :haha:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h34/jaxpb03/Fatmans%206-7-08/52groupexithiketopish.jpg

[Iceaxe]

:popcorn:

Much better with pictures. :2thumbs:

[tanya]

Nice Jaxx! :2thumbs: A group of youngsters :haha:

[Jaxx]

:popcorn:

Much better with pictures. :2thumbs:

I had to save it. I couldn't have a TR with no replies :roflol:

[Chungy22]

That one sounds really fun even though it does sound a little long! We will have to do that one again. Thanks for the post!

[tanya]

It's a long hike, but the hike is half of the beauty!

If you want to just get to a canyon in Zion and forgo much hiking try Keyhole and Pine Creek.

[Jaxx]

Nah. Chungy wants the hike! It would be an awesome canyon in the Spring or Fall. Never in the summer again.

[Chungy22]

Maybe we should do that this spring then. Would that be a good one for my wife who has never been rappelling?

[ratagonia]

Maybe we should do that this spring then. Would that be a good one for my wife who has never been rappelling?

It is a very nice one in the spring, AFTER you take your wife somewhere and teach her to rappel. Or perhaps, you could set up some low-angle raps on the way in. And, uh, well, WHO would be teaching your wife to rappel?

Tom

[Jaxx]

Maybe we should do that this spring then. Would that be a good one for my wife who has never been rappelling?

It is a very nice one in the spring, AFTER you take your wife somewhere and teach her to rappel. Or perhaps, you could set up some low-angle raps on the way in. And, uh, well, WHO would be teaching your wife to rappel?

Tom

Dad of course. We just don't let him teach downclimbing anymore!

[Cirrus2000]

Maybe we should do that this spring then. Would that be a good one for my wife who has never been rappelling?

It is a very nice one in the spring, AFTER you take your wife somewhere and teach her to rappel. Or perhaps, you could set up some low-angle raps on the way in. And, uh, well, WHO would be teaching your wife to rappel?

Tom

Dad of course. We just don't let him teach downclimbing anymore!
:roflol: :roflol: :roflol:

[Chungy22]

She has been rappelling once, but nothing big at all. I am going to take her to Hansen's to rappel indoor before we take her to anything that is too scary and it will be me and my Dad and I who teach her how to rappel. Granted we got stuck in our last canyon, but that was not because of rappelling skills. My dad is an excellent teacher and has done a bunch of canyons and even more research on it. I was just wondering if that is a good canyon to warm a noobie up on.

[ratagonia]

She has been rappelling once, but nothing big at all. I am going to take her to Hansen's to rappel indoor before we take her to anything that is too scary and it will be me and my Dad and I who teach her how to rappel. Granted we got stuck in our last canyon, but that was not because of rappelling skills. My dad is an excellent teacher and has done a bunch of canyons and even more research on it. I was just wondering if that is a good canyon to warm a noobie up on.

Totally excellent noob canyon. April is usually pretty good out there. :2thumbs:

T :moses:

[Chungy22]

Cool!! I will for take her in there then and hopefully we won't get too tired!! Thanks Tom

[Cirrus2000]

Easy rappels, beautiful spot. Long approach, but gorgeous. We did it as an overnight at the end of April '09. Here's some pics (don't think I ever posted here.)
http://picasaweb.google.ca/cirrus2000/FatManSMiseryApril26272009

[Chungy22]

Those are some way sweet pictures! It makes me even more excited to get down there and do that! Thanks for them! How long of a canyon is the whole thing from start to finish?

[ratagonia]

Those are some way sweet pictures! It makes me even more excited to get down there and do that! Thanks for them! How long of a canyon is the whole thing from start to finish?

try this: http://tinyurl.com/y8g3v6p


Tom :moses:

[Cirrus2000]

Tom's guide says 6-10 hours, which sounds right. We spent 3-4 hours in the canyon (if you include the walk down the wash to the first rap, and the stroll down Parunuweap to the Powell Plaque), and based on what I recall, and can extrapolate from our (fully loaded) times to camp and back out, I'd count on 2 hours hiking in, then 3-4 getting back out. It is a bit of a slog climbing back up and out. I'd count on 8 to 10 hours for sure if you're taking it easy, and not rushing.

Edited to add: Oh, my. I think I'll get a lot of use out of that "Let Me Google That For You" website. Thanks, Tom! :haha:

[Chungy22]

Thanks for that Tom!!! That was a slap in the face! HAHAHA I will do that next time before I ask anyone

[ratagonia]

Thanks for that Tom!!! That was a slap in the face! HAHAHA I will do that next time before I ask anyone

Check out this one, too:

http://tinyurl.com/y8etaaz

T :moses:

[Chungy22]

That's pretty good!! Thanks Tom

[mtthwlw]

Someone told me a wile ago that Fat Man's has an alternate exit-- one that requires a kind driver to drive around past Short Creek. I was told that it is a beautiful hike.

Tom, I already Googled it and I didn't find what I was looking for. But was he talking about the closed East Fork that (your book says) is closed to public access?

And, thanks for the LMGTFY link. I look forward to using it with my coworkers. :mrgreen:

[ratagonia]

Someone told me a wile ago that Fat Man's has an alternate exit-- one that requires a kind driver to drive around past Short Creek. I was told that it is a beautiful hike.

Tom, I already Googled it and I didn't find what I was looking for. But was he talking about the closed East Fork that (your book says) is closed to public access?

And, thanks for the LMGTFY link. I look forward to using it with my coworkers. :mrgreen:

Yeah that's a pretty cool link. Of course, it is shared by 'tagging' someone. I got tagged once too... ha ha ha

I think Tanya shows that on her site. Up French Canyon and out to the sand dunes. Difficult driving out there, LOTS of SOFT sand, especially after a long period of dry weather. Bit of a drive to get around. Not overly long, not all the way to Short Creek.

Tom :moses:

[nonot]

I would disagree that Fat Man's is an excellent beginner canyon. Nothing to do with the canyon, but the hike in and out...it's a fairly long, high calorie day and noobs may or may not be able to deal with that level of endurance, depending on their background. Plus, the trail out is obscured by many splinter trails. The rappelling and nature of the canyon is not very technically difficult, but be sure your group has experience with doing that level of activity before committing the unwary.

[Cirrus2000]

I would disagree that Fat Man's is an excellent beginner canyon. Nothing to do with the canyon, but the hike in and out...it's a fairly long, high calorie day and noobs may or may not be able to deal with that level of endurance, depending on their background. Plus, the trail out is obscured by many splinter trails. The rappelling and nature of the canyon is not very technically difficult, but be sure your group has experience with doing that level of activity before committing the unwary.
This is true, but if you're dealing with hikers who want to start hiking with ropes, it's hard to go wrong. Beautiful area, and a nice canyon. :2thumbs:

[tanya]

Someone told me a wile ago that Fat Man's has an alternate exit-- one that requires a kind driver to drive around past Short Creek. I was told that it is a beautiful hike.

Tom, I already Googled it and I didn't find what I was looking for. But was he talking about the closed East Fork that (your book says) is closed to public access?

And, thanks for the LMGTFY link. I look forward to using it with my coworkers. :mrgreen:

I love this exit!!! The 4wheel shuttle setup is part of the fun, unless all you like to do is swim in slimy water. :haha:

Fat Man's exiting at Elephant Butte
http://www.zionnational-park.com/parunuweap-canyon.htm

Other Options
Doing just East Fork without the technical section.
http://www.zionnational-park.com/parunuweap-hike.htm

Going through Fat Man's and Exit at Powell Plaque
http://www.zionnational-park.com/zion-east-fork-zion-narrows.htm


Photos! This is my favorite hike/canyon anywhere in or near Zion! The rappels are not hard, but this one guy we took in did end up upside down. It was funny. What is hard about Fat Man's is the downclimbs! First you must already be a hiker, because its a killer hike, but if you are then next you must be up for the climbing sections. Your wife may not be even if you are.

http://www.zionnational-park.com/images/albums/index62.htm



http://www.zionnational-park.com/images/albums/images/misery-r_jpg.jpg

http://www.zionnational-park.com/images/albums/images/misery-q_jpg.jpg

http://www.zionnational-park.com/images/albums/images/misery-o_jpg.jpg


Joe's French Canyon - Alternate Exit
http://www.zionnational-park.com/images/albums/images/to-ebutte-e_jpg.jpg

[Chungy22]

Thank you for the pointers Tanya! We may have to take her on some les technical canyons first, ones with a little less technical down climbs, but that one sounds like it would be a good for her after a few easier canyons with a a bit less rappelling so she can get used to downclimbing and hiking! Thanks again to everyone else. I love Bogley!

[tanya]

keyhole is a great one to start with.

[Chungy22]

That one does look pretty short and sweet! Is it always wet?

[ratagonia]

That one does look pretty short and sweet! Is it always wet?

Always wet. Wetsuit always recommended.

Same can be said for Middle Echo. A cool, easy beginner canyon, but almost always with cold, cold water. And usually not available until June 1st at earliest, due to snow buildup in the Canyon.

Tom

[Chungy22]

Wow! Those sound interesting! I will have to talk to my wife, but I am thinking that she is not going to like that. any easy canyons with a little less water?

[tanya]

My favorite family canyon - and its very photogenic! Add Bull Valley Gorge to it and it's an adventure.

Willis Creek in the GSENM
http://www.zionnational-park.com/grand-staircase-hiking.htm


http://www.zionnational-park.com/images/albums/images/staircase-g_jpg.jpg

Bull Valley Gorge
http://www.zionnational-park.com/gsbpack.htm

http://www.zionnational-park.com/images/albums/images/gsenm-bull-p_jpg.jpg

[Chungy22]

Wow!! that one looks way cool! I will have to check all these canyons out this summer! Thanks a ton for all the advice and pictures, Tanya and Tom! :)

[seb42]

My favorite family canyon - and its very photogenic! Add Bull Valley Gorge to it and it's an adventure.

Willis Creek in the GSENM
http://www.zionnational-park.com/grand-staircase-hiking.htm


Bull Valley Gorge is always on our list when we come to Utah...the kids and adults (Big Kids) love it!

[tanya]

We will have to show you some variety! If you come from that far away you probably should do new things each time!

[seb42]

We will have to show you some variety! If you come from that far away you probably should do new things each time!

I agree!!! Fat Man's Misery for starters :2thumbs:

Maybe when I am old and gray and can put Heaps on my "DID" list. :five: