EvergreenDean
10-07-2010, 06:05 AM
Tom has better pics on his latest rave, http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/rave/1009imlay/index.htm , but figured I'd throw my own in and tell my side of the story on the Imlay trip.
First of all, I am a yearling canyoneer. I have been incredibly fortunate to have bluffed my way into the inner circle of this sport. My first trip ever being the North Wash with Tom, Nick and Sarah of ZAC last year (experience required...uhh, yeah). It wasn't until I got home and did some net research that I realized Tom was kind of a big shot. Maybe more reverence would have been in order?
This spring I again wormed my way onto an advanced trip, running Powell canyons with Steve and Jonathan. Now I have done a couple dozen canyons, some pretty advanced stuff, own all my own gear, and even led a few canyons at the NW rondy due to a shortage of veterans. I emailed Tom as we planned our fall Zion trip and told him I thought a big Zion canyon was something I needed on my resume. To my delight, Tom suggested Imlay.
As the trip neared, I got anxious. Had I taken this bluff too far? Had I fooled the Emperor into thinking I was now a highly skilled canyoneer? Too late to turn back.
After a few nights of way too little sleep thanks to anxiety and the bustling Quality Inn campground, we met Tom for the "practice" run. See his rave on Echo. http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/rave/1009echo/index.htm A 200ft jug to exit, much of it free hanging, destroyed me. Several embarrassing errors made it much more difficult than it should have been. No, I didn't get the beta on how to raise your pack up after an 80 ft free hanging ascent. Pretty much curled the thing up the whole way with my right arm...ouch. No, I didn't get the beta on when the foot loop became obsolete on the jug...walking batman style would have been much better after the lip. Mental and physical exhaustion takes its toll...by the time I reached the top I was so spent I had lost all my marbles,forgot how to tie bunny ears and even struggled with a simple figure 8 to reset the anchor. I'm pretty sure Tom is going to fire me. Rolled my ankle on the hike down at dusk to top it off. I am a mess. Yeah, he was testing us.
Despite my failing quads and injured ankle, we ran Pine Creek Friday and had a blast. Up early Saturday, still not having slept more than four hours in the past five nights. (Almost crawled out of my bag at midnight to yell at the inconsiderate bastards playing their music late into the night...found out next day it was actually a concert :duhz:.
Hike up was not as bad as I had expected. Beautiful moonlit morning. I am feeling way better than I should. The flowers are beautiful. Sketchy climb down a cliff band but we made it. Into the canyon we go.
Imlay was a blast. Nothing even remotely as grueling as the jug out of Echo. The pot holes were full and almost allowed solo exits, even from Big Bertha. A few drill sergeant barks from Tom kept the group moving and working together. This was a great lesson in teamwork.
The required pace to complete the canyon before dark allowed for very few picture breaks, but I managed a few. Frank was determined to get out of the holes solo. Give it up Frank, we have to keep moving.
Before I know it, we are at the final rap. Wow, that looks a lot bigger than 140'. Rapping into the narrows for the first time, I realized how that behemoth canyon plays tricks with your head. I've done bigger raps but this sure looks huge.
Elisa steps up and agrees to go first so my exhausted ass can have a fireman's belay. I officially feel like a sissy. All hubris is gone.
Fifteen minutes after we start the hike down the narrows, we hear a huge boom. Thunder? How could that be? The skies have been crystal clear for days. Looking down canyon we see massive rocks tumbling hundred of feet down the South wall accompanied by a huge dust cloud. We are witnessing a massive rock slide approximately 100 yards in front of us. Perhaps my hesitation on the last rap saved us from an ironic fate. What an incredible spectacle. We stop to examine the fresh boulders in the river and then continue moving.
Burgers and beer at Oscars conclude the day, then I finally collapse for the first good nights sleep in almost a week. Thanks for a great trip Tom. I still have lots to learn, but I am starting to feel like a real canyoneer.
First of all, I am a yearling canyoneer. I have been incredibly fortunate to have bluffed my way into the inner circle of this sport. My first trip ever being the North Wash with Tom, Nick and Sarah of ZAC last year (experience required...uhh, yeah). It wasn't until I got home and did some net research that I realized Tom was kind of a big shot. Maybe more reverence would have been in order?
This spring I again wormed my way onto an advanced trip, running Powell canyons with Steve and Jonathan. Now I have done a couple dozen canyons, some pretty advanced stuff, own all my own gear, and even led a few canyons at the NW rondy due to a shortage of veterans. I emailed Tom as we planned our fall Zion trip and told him I thought a big Zion canyon was something I needed on my resume. To my delight, Tom suggested Imlay.
As the trip neared, I got anxious. Had I taken this bluff too far? Had I fooled the Emperor into thinking I was now a highly skilled canyoneer? Too late to turn back.
After a few nights of way too little sleep thanks to anxiety and the bustling Quality Inn campground, we met Tom for the "practice" run. See his rave on Echo. http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/rave/1009echo/index.htm A 200ft jug to exit, much of it free hanging, destroyed me. Several embarrassing errors made it much more difficult than it should have been. No, I didn't get the beta on how to raise your pack up after an 80 ft free hanging ascent. Pretty much curled the thing up the whole way with my right arm...ouch. No, I didn't get the beta on when the foot loop became obsolete on the jug...walking batman style would have been much better after the lip. Mental and physical exhaustion takes its toll...by the time I reached the top I was so spent I had lost all my marbles,forgot how to tie bunny ears and even struggled with a simple figure 8 to reset the anchor. I'm pretty sure Tom is going to fire me. Rolled my ankle on the hike down at dusk to top it off. I am a mess. Yeah, he was testing us.
Despite my failing quads and injured ankle, we ran Pine Creek Friday and had a blast. Up early Saturday, still not having slept more than four hours in the past five nights. (Almost crawled out of my bag at midnight to yell at the inconsiderate bastards playing their music late into the night...found out next day it was actually a concert :duhz:.
Hike up was not as bad as I had expected. Beautiful moonlit morning. I am feeling way better than I should. The flowers are beautiful. Sketchy climb down a cliff band but we made it. Into the canyon we go.
Imlay was a blast. Nothing even remotely as grueling as the jug out of Echo. The pot holes were full and almost allowed solo exits, even from Big Bertha. A few drill sergeant barks from Tom kept the group moving and working together. This was a great lesson in teamwork.
The required pace to complete the canyon before dark allowed for very few picture breaks, but I managed a few. Frank was determined to get out of the holes solo. Give it up Frank, we have to keep moving.
Before I know it, we are at the final rap. Wow, that looks a lot bigger than 140'. Rapping into the narrows for the first time, I realized how that behemoth canyon plays tricks with your head. I've done bigger raps but this sure looks huge.
Elisa steps up and agrees to go first so my exhausted ass can have a fireman's belay. I officially feel like a sissy. All hubris is gone.
Fifteen minutes after we start the hike down the narrows, we hear a huge boom. Thunder? How could that be? The skies have been crystal clear for days. Looking down canyon we see massive rocks tumbling hundred of feet down the South wall accompanied by a huge dust cloud. We are witnessing a massive rock slide approximately 100 yards in front of us. Perhaps my hesitation on the last rap saved us from an ironic fate. What an incredible spectacle. We stop to examine the fresh boulders in the river and then continue moving.
Burgers and beer at Oscars conclude the day, then I finally collapse for the first good nights sleep in almost a week. Thanks for a great trip Tom. I still have lots to learn, but I am starting to feel like a real canyoneer.