EvergreenDean
10-25-2010, 09:33 AM
After spending the summer doing all my favorite Colorado activities, fall was earmarked as canyoneering season. My son and another good friend have been begging for a trip so we figured a long weekend at the North Wash was a good call. Along with Chris and his eager friend Nate, we headed out Thursday after work and arrived at Sandthrax camp around 1:30am. Our plan was a warm up in a Leprechaun then a full day in one of the West Fork Butler canyons, perhaps Foolin Around.
38661The team
Realizing we were lagging from our late arrival, we figured we would only have time for one Leprechaun, and the group voted to dive right in to my favorite, the middle fork. Middle Lep was great as always, and the gang was pumped. Half way through we stopped for a late lunch and were passed by a group of three minimalists, with only Swiss seats, blue jeans and tennies. No helmets either. My group questioned our different approach to canyoneering and I explained that coming in with the proper gear just makes it more fun in my opinion. We would experience the value of helmets first hand later in the trip.
38662Ryan chimneying38663Nate-horns up38664Cool canyon spider
38676Ryan in the skinny38665All smiles38666Chris doin his thang38677Nate stemming38667Dan working on his bridging moves38670Lunch break38669Wet but happy
My larger teammates sweat like pigs in the narrows but came out energized and in great spirits. To my surprise, we were met with a full 30 yard swim in Belfast. That must have been one big storm the prior week. A family with kids followed out of East and we heard lots of screams as they made the surprise swim.
We hiked out wet. A fantastic dinner and a bottle of spicy black Kraken rum finished the day well, thanks to Dan.
38672Much needed meds
Next morning the plan was to be out by 8am but it ended up closer to 9. We decided to try the car shuttle and left a vehicle at the four-way then headed to the other side to drop in to the East fork. I have now realized that this saved very little time and it would have been better to leave a vehicle at camp so we would have an alternate exit strategy. Instead, we were committed to the Kelsey exit, which would prove to be a mistake later.
The group wanted a big challenge, and I had read the beta on the middle fork many times. This is a very capable group of athletic and adventurous folks but I advised the group that reports say no one over 180 lbs can fit in here. Well, we are all the type that when we are told we can’t do something, we feel the necessity to try it. A change of plans unfolded, and we found ourselves at the top of Shenanigans. It would have been nice to have some beta on this canyon along with us, but that wasn’t going to stop us. It would be kinda fun exploring a difficult canyon with out any “cheating”. Instead of looking for the down climb in, we decided to set up the Maxxi Pad/Sand Trap for kicks. An easy pull left us feeling confident and ready and it was on to the next rap. Second rap of about 30 feet was spectacular, dropping us right into the amazing slot. It was great fun moving through the angled slot. Eventually we found an open spot in the sun for lunch and a break. It was clear we were the first descent since the big rains the prior week as there were no tracks in the sticky mud that covered much of the canyon floor.
38684Dan heading down38685I'm on my way38679Ryan dropping in38678Nate coming around the bend38671Dan playing peek-a-boo38668
After lunch we continued on and I heard Ryan yell from up front "Hey, there's snow in here!". Surely he was kidding. Soon I saw the blockage...a ten foot dam of pea-sized hail stones. Wow. How in the world has this not melted in over a week? Tough climbing over the hail dam as we post holed with every step.
38682The hail dam
We soon reached a series of S turns in a very dark and narrow slot. Tons of fun winding through, almost pulling out headlamps until we would reach another bend and find just enough light to continue. What an amazingly sculpted canyon. Eventually we reached a ledge with a drop of what looked like at least 30 feet into complete darkness. A sloped ledge gave access to a narrower section but it looked real sketchy. No anchors in sight, we started hunting for a nice rock to make a dead man. Chris volunteered to make the scary crawl over to examine down climbing potential on the other side of the ledge. "I think I can do it" he said, but we agreed that only one needed to find out and we set up meat for the first four to rap down, leaving the rock and a deep hole ready in case Chris decided the dead man was a better option. The down climb was easier than it looked thanks to a couple of well placed chock stones and we continued on.
38673 The "Grim Crawl of Death"
More S curves, and a really cool hole to crawl through came next. Eventually it started to get very narrow...now this was what I had heard about. We sent skinny Ryan in first, our three big guys in the middle, and petite Chris came in sweep. Ryan charged ahead but eventually yells "Hey guys...this might be trouble. I don't think I can fit." Well Ryan is 175. The three following him including myself are all weighing in right below or above 200. We may need to back out and go high. Not wanting to miss any of the action, we agreed to proceed as far as we could then turn back if necessary. At times, we were forced to get horizontal and wiggle like earth worms to make progress. 38681 Nate, doing the "earth worm"
38680Chris's helmet touches both sides!38683
This was tough...very tough. Amazingly, no one lost their cool and we stuck together, Ryan making trips back and forth to collect packs and take them to the first spot that widens up. Just when we thought we had seen the worst, it narrowed again. More earth worm moves and some pushing, pulling and coaching and we were finally at the last rap. Sighs of relief as we realized we had made it.
Now we realized it was already 6pm. The narrow sections had taken us so long that we knew we were going to be hiking in the dark. We quickly maneuvered around the pool one by one after the last rap and geared down, headlamps came out and we read the up until now completely useless beta we had brought for our originally planned canyon to find the Kelsey exit. By the time we found the slot out it was dark. The map indicated a need to traverse left to avoid the short technical section known as No Kidding. A small crack appeared on the left and we wondered if this was our exit. I headed up first to scout and was quickly dismayed to find every hand hold breaking away with any weight. Even large chock stones shifted when weighted...this was not good. Guys, I don't think this is our exit.
Starting to get nervous, hungry and tired, a brief debate ensued about our options. It was now approaching 8pm, we were unsure if we had already passed the technical section of this slot below us. Should we bail and take the long hike out Butler Wash? Should we continue looking for the exit? The hike down would have made a lot of sense but we had left our food and beer in the truck and the shuttle car was sitting at the four-way. Hike down would eventually lead us to warm sleeping bags but no food or substantial beverage. We would be begging for a ride on Sunday to try and get back up to BOTH of our vehicles or making a several hour hike after an exhausting day, again with no food, coffee etc. We decided to continue exploring the right side of the main slot for the fabled Kelsey exit until we reached a place we felt was too dangerous. More rotten rock, more sketchy moves, but eventually Dan yells out "I have a footprint!" First one we've seen all day. "Which way is it heading Dan?" Up. We were on the right path. Slowly we worked our way up. Everything was loose and steep. The rim looked so far away. This would have been a difficult climb in broad daylight. In total darkness it was downright stupid. We staged the team to try and avoid the inevitable falling rocks, but eventually I heard a loud THUD and my whole head rang. A softball sized rock had just nailed me in the noggin. I braced for the pain then quickly remembered "I have a helmet on”. My bell was rung but I was OK...no pain. Without it, you would have read about me in the news last week I guarantee.
Finally Dan yells that he can see the rim. He's one difficult move away from freedom. I look at my watch. It is now almost 10pm. How in the heck? Apparently you lose all concept of time during stressful situations. I yelled up at Dan to set up a top belay for the rest of us and one by one we made it up the final face to the rim. Hugs, high fives, cheers. We did it! We would not be spending the night in the canyon. We would soon be celebrating by a fire with food and beer. Using the silhouette of the Henry's as our guide, we headed North East and found the trail, and eventually the car which lead to the truck, which returned us to camp and dinner at almost 1am. Going through my binder I realized I had Tom’s excellent beta on both canyons, including great detail about the exit. That sure would have been better than the vague description I did bring.
38674We made it!
While we were out, an adventurous critter had embarked on some technical “bucketeering” in our wash buckets. Poor fellow perished in a “keeper” bucket. I regret having not strained and dumped our wash bucket before leaving, but we honored his memory by allowing him to join us by the fire.
38675RIP kindred spirit
Got home and read TRs on Shenanigans. I cannot find any documentation of anyone over 200 lbs who has made it through all the narrows down low. We had two at 205 each. If anyone else in this size range has done it please let me know. We can commiserate. Same goes for anyone who has completed the Kelsey exit in the dark. I’d like to think we accomplished two “firsts” but would love to know. Amazingly, we all agreed that we will be back for more Shenanigans next year, but perhaps better prepared and maybe a few pounds lighter.
38661The team
Realizing we were lagging from our late arrival, we figured we would only have time for one Leprechaun, and the group voted to dive right in to my favorite, the middle fork. Middle Lep was great as always, and the gang was pumped. Half way through we stopped for a late lunch and were passed by a group of three minimalists, with only Swiss seats, blue jeans and tennies. No helmets either. My group questioned our different approach to canyoneering and I explained that coming in with the proper gear just makes it more fun in my opinion. We would experience the value of helmets first hand later in the trip.
38662Ryan chimneying38663Nate-horns up38664Cool canyon spider
38676Ryan in the skinny38665All smiles38666Chris doin his thang38677Nate stemming38667Dan working on his bridging moves38670Lunch break38669Wet but happy
My larger teammates sweat like pigs in the narrows but came out energized and in great spirits. To my surprise, we were met with a full 30 yard swim in Belfast. That must have been one big storm the prior week. A family with kids followed out of East and we heard lots of screams as they made the surprise swim.
We hiked out wet. A fantastic dinner and a bottle of spicy black Kraken rum finished the day well, thanks to Dan.
38672Much needed meds
Next morning the plan was to be out by 8am but it ended up closer to 9. We decided to try the car shuttle and left a vehicle at the four-way then headed to the other side to drop in to the East fork. I have now realized that this saved very little time and it would have been better to leave a vehicle at camp so we would have an alternate exit strategy. Instead, we were committed to the Kelsey exit, which would prove to be a mistake later.
The group wanted a big challenge, and I had read the beta on the middle fork many times. This is a very capable group of athletic and adventurous folks but I advised the group that reports say no one over 180 lbs can fit in here. Well, we are all the type that when we are told we can’t do something, we feel the necessity to try it. A change of plans unfolded, and we found ourselves at the top of Shenanigans. It would have been nice to have some beta on this canyon along with us, but that wasn’t going to stop us. It would be kinda fun exploring a difficult canyon with out any “cheating”. Instead of looking for the down climb in, we decided to set up the Maxxi Pad/Sand Trap for kicks. An easy pull left us feeling confident and ready and it was on to the next rap. Second rap of about 30 feet was spectacular, dropping us right into the amazing slot. It was great fun moving through the angled slot. Eventually we found an open spot in the sun for lunch and a break. It was clear we were the first descent since the big rains the prior week as there were no tracks in the sticky mud that covered much of the canyon floor.
38684Dan heading down38685I'm on my way38679Ryan dropping in38678Nate coming around the bend38671Dan playing peek-a-boo38668
After lunch we continued on and I heard Ryan yell from up front "Hey, there's snow in here!". Surely he was kidding. Soon I saw the blockage...a ten foot dam of pea-sized hail stones. Wow. How in the world has this not melted in over a week? Tough climbing over the hail dam as we post holed with every step.
38682The hail dam
We soon reached a series of S turns in a very dark and narrow slot. Tons of fun winding through, almost pulling out headlamps until we would reach another bend and find just enough light to continue. What an amazingly sculpted canyon. Eventually we reached a ledge with a drop of what looked like at least 30 feet into complete darkness. A sloped ledge gave access to a narrower section but it looked real sketchy. No anchors in sight, we started hunting for a nice rock to make a dead man. Chris volunteered to make the scary crawl over to examine down climbing potential on the other side of the ledge. "I think I can do it" he said, but we agreed that only one needed to find out and we set up meat for the first four to rap down, leaving the rock and a deep hole ready in case Chris decided the dead man was a better option. The down climb was easier than it looked thanks to a couple of well placed chock stones and we continued on.
38673 The "Grim Crawl of Death"
More S curves, and a really cool hole to crawl through came next. Eventually it started to get very narrow...now this was what I had heard about. We sent skinny Ryan in first, our three big guys in the middle, and petite Chris came in sweep. Ryan charged ahead but eventually yells "Hey guys...this might be trouble. I don't think I can fit." Well Ryan is 175. The three following him including myself are all weighing in right below or above 200. We may need to back out and go high. Not wanting to miss any of the action, we agreed to proceed as far as we could then turn back if necessary. At times, we were forced to get horizontal and wiggle like earth worms to make progress. 38681 Nate, doing the "earth worm"
38680Chris's helmet touches both sides!38683
This was tough...very tough. Amazingly, no one lost their cool and we stuck together, Ryan making trips back and forth to collect packs and take them to the first spot that widens up. Just when we thought we had seen the worst, it narrowed again. More earth worm moves and some pushing, pulling and coaching and we were finally at the last rap. Sighs of relief as we realized we had made it.
Now we realized it was already 6pm. The narrow sections had taken us so long that we knew we were going to be hiking in the dark. We quickly maneuvered around the pool one by one after the last rap and geared down, headlamps came out and we read the up until now completely useless beta we had brought for our originally planned canyon to find the Kelsey exit. By the time we found the slot out it was dark. The map indicated a need to traverse left to avoid the short technical section known as No Kidding. A small crack appeared on the left and we wondered if this was our exit. I headed up first to scout and was quickly dismayed to find every hand hold breaking away with any weight. Even large chock stones shifted when weighted...this was not good. Guys, I don't think this is our exit.
Starting to get nervous, hungry and tired, a brief debate ensued about our options. It was now approaching 8pm, we were unsure if we had already passed the technical section of this slot below us. Should we bail and take the long hike out Butler Wash? Should we continue looking for the exit? The hike down would have made a lot of sense but we had left our food and beer in the truck and the shuttle car was sitting at the four-way. Hike down would eventually lead us to warm sleeping bags but no food or substantial beverage. We would be begging for a ride on Sunday to try and get back up to BOTH of our vehicles or making a several hour hike after an exhausting day, again with no food, coffee etc. We decided to continue exploring the right side of the main slot for the fabled Kelsey exit until we reached a place we felt was too dangerous. More rotten rock, more sketchy moves, but eventually Dan yells out "I have a footprint!" First one we've seen all day. "Which way is it heading Dan?" Up. We were on the right path. Slowly we worked our way up. Everything was loose and steep. The rim looked so far away. This would have been a difficult climb in broad daylight. In total darkness it was downright stupid. We staged the team to try and avoid the inevitable falling rocks, but eventually I heard a loud THUD and my whole head rang. A softball sized rock had just nailed me in the noggin. I braced for the pain then quickly remembered "I have a helmet on”. My bell was rung but I was OK...no pain. Without it, you would have read about me in the news last week I guarantee.
Finally Dan yells that he can see the rim. He's one difficult move away from freedom. I look at my watch. It is now almost 10pm. How in the heck? Apparently you lose all concept of time during stressful situations. I yelled up at Dan to set up a top belay for the rest of us and one by one we made it up the final face to the rim. Hugs, high fives, cheers. We did it! We would not be spending the night in the canyon. We would soon be celebrating by a fire with food and beer. Using the silhouette of the Henry's as our guide, we headed North East and found the trail, and eventually the car which lead to the truck, which returned us to camp and dinner at almost 1am. Going through my binder I realized I had Tom’s excellent beta on both canyons, including great detail about the exit. That sure would have been better than the vague description I did bring.
38674We made it!
While we were out, an adventurous critter had embarked on some technical “bucketeering” in our wash buckets. Poor fellow perished in a “keeper” bucket. I regret having not strained and dumped our wash bucket before leaving, but we honored his memory by allowing him to join us by the fire.
38675RIP kindred spirit
Got home and read TRs on Shenanigans. I cannot find any documentation of anyone over 200 lbs who has made it through all the narrows down low. We had two at 205 each. If anyone else in this size range has done it please let me know. We can commiserate. Same goes for anyone who has completed the Kelsey exit in the dark. I’d like to think we accomplished two “firsts” but would love to know. Amazingly, we all agreed that we will be back for more Shenanigans next year, but perhaps better prepared and maybe a few pounds lighter.