Boundary Canyon Longest Rappel

[qedcook]

I've heard conflicting reports about the longest rappel in Boundary Canyon. A couple of friends said the longest rappel is 100'. Shane reports the longest rappel as 175'. As I understand it, the direct canyon route does not require the 175' foot rappel. Is the route with 100' as the longest rappel more dangerous/poorer anchors/etc, or do people just like rigging up the bigger rappel? I'd rather just carry 200' of rope up the mia exit than 350' of rope. thanks in advance.

[ratagonia]

I've heard conflicting reports about the longest rappel in Boundary Canyon. A couple of friends said the longest rappel is 100'. Shane reports the longest rappel as 175'. As I understand it, the direct canyon route does not require the 175' foot rappel. Is the route with 100' as the longest rappel more dangerous/poorer anchors/etc, or do people just like rigging up the bigger rappel? I'd rather just carry 200' of rope up the mia exit than 350' of rope. thanks in advance.

"Down the Throat" can be done in a number of different ways. At about 90' is a pothole with a log in it (usually) and a small tree nearby. Careful canyoneers could use this as an anchor point, but the tree will not last long and the log is a bit dubious, and could wash out at any time. From there it is about 90' to the bottom. There is a large pothole half way down that rap - last time I was there (June 09), there was a cairn built there as an anchor, which we took apart because where it was it created a rope-eating crack for us, anchoring from the higher log in the pothole.

May I recommend staging. From the tree at the top, rap down 90'. Tie the other rope on, continue rapping to the bottom. For all but the last person... who must then pull the ropes up to get enough to set up as retrievable.

Then again, depends on the size of your team.

Tom :moses:

[qedcook]

there are 3 of us. sounds like the safest route is to just take 2 60's just in case. thanks for the info tom. very helpful.