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View Full Version : Trip Report The Black Hole 29 June 2011


ilipichicuma
06-30-2011, 11:35 AM
Gavin and I headed down to the Black Hole yesterday. Gavin had a bad knee and I was rocking a screwed-up ankle, so we were both wearing braces and didn't want to do anything too intense. Plus, we wanted to check this place out, with all the trip reports on here, it's looked like an awesome canyon.

The canyon did not disappoint. We dropped into a swim a little after the first obstacle that was amazingly disgusting, full of rotting wood. It totally smelled like cow manure. However, those are some of the best parts of canyoneering! Those who bypass that swim are definitely missing out.

The actual Black Hole section was awesome. We wore wetsuits, which made the overall experience more enjoyable, but the canyon could probably be accomplished without them, especially on a day like yesterday (It was HOT!).

Gavin and I both added this to our list of favorite canyons and we'll probably be going back later this summer. A great day.


Don't judge Gavin for his trecking poles. They were to keep more pressure off of his knee.
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/267641_10100110456995269_17827744_43234233_5453349 _n.jpg

I think the look on my face in this picture accurately describes how I feel about canyoneering.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269731_10100110457643969_17827744_43234250_7222503 _n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/267386_10100110457933389_17827744_43234257_1968614 _n.jpg

The light was awesome. Unfortunately, I'm not very good at taking pictures.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/270141_10100110458392469_17827744_43234266_3425386 _n.jpg

I'll have everyone know that it took us a while to get the timing right on this picture. And don't worry, we checked the depth before we started jumping.
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/263876_10100110460228789_17827744_43234301_5688171 _n.jpg

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/260146_10100110460403439_17827744_43234305_1120770 _n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264351_10100110460717809_17827744_43234308_2938159 _n.jpg

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/262046_10100110461047149_17827744_43234314_8142075 _n.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/263766_10100110461630979_17827744_43234329_6655126 _n.jpg
Don
06-30-2011, 12:10 PM
:2thumbs: Nice. Looks fun!
Iceaxe
06-30-2011, 01:38 PM
:2thumbs:



Gavin and I both added this to our list of favorite canyons and we'll probably be going back later this summer. A great day.

If the Black Hole is not somewhere on your favorite canyon list something is seriously wrong with you. :crazy:
ibenick
06-30-2011, 08:15 PM
That looks like a lot of fun. I would really like to do this.
Canyonbug
07-01-2011, 12:40 AM
Did the Black Hole on Saturday and it was in prime condition. The hike in and out was absolutely hot, but the water felt so good with wetsuits on. I don't know if I agree in doing it without the wetsuits, I think it made the water just comfortable enough. Glad you had a great time. I am guessing that was your car I saw parked at the entrance to the Hole hike as I was returning from North Wash on the 29th.
ilipichicuma
07-01-2011, 09:10 AM
Did the Black Hole on Saturday and it was in prime condition. The hike in and out was absolutely hot, but the water felt so good with wetsuits on. I don't know if I agree in doing it without the wetsuits, I think it made the water just comfortable enough. Glad you had a great time. I am guessing that was your car I saw parked at the entrance to the Hole hike as I was returning from North Wash on the 29th.

If it was a dark blue Chevy Metro, then yes, it was Gavin's car. It may be the best canyoneering vehicle ever built.
Canyonbug
07-01-2011, 09:38 AM
If it was a dark blue Chevy Metro, then yes, it was Gavin's car. It may be the best canyoneering vehicle ever built.

YEP! Chevy Metro it was! No vehicle at the exit point for a shuttle so you guys must have hiked the road back. I was actually a bit surprised to see the Metro, don't see too many Canyoneers with cars that small. I figured it was probably a passerby that saw the Kiosk and thought they would go on a little hike and see what all the hype was about.
MPH
07-01-2011, 02:13 PM
Thanks for the pics...water was still pretty dang cold? might head down there but don't have a wetsuit...
dmMatrix
07-01-2011, 02:22 PM
That looks like so much fun. Do you like it better than other "wet hikes/canyons" such as the Subway in Zion? I guess its quite a different experience all together, but just curious.
ilipichicuma
07-01-2011, 04:31 PM
That looks like so much fun. Do you like it better than other "wet hikes/canyons" such as the Subway in Zion? I guess its quite a different experience all together, but just curious.

There was a lot more swimming than in the Subway, plus there weren't a gajillion people there! I thought it was really cool, though you're right. It is a very different experience from the Subway altogether.
dmMatrix
07-01-2011, 05:00 PM
There was a lot more swimming than in the Subway, plus there weren't a gajillion people there! I thought it was really cool, though you're right. It is a very different experience from the Subway altogether.

Nice, I will have to look into that one, That looks awesome. Great TR. Thanks!!!!
Iceaxe
07-01-2011, 05:26 PM
That looks like so much fun. Do you like it better than other "wet hikes/canyons" such as the Subway in Zion? I guess its quite a different experience all together, but just curious.

I would call The Subway a wet canyon.... I'd call the Black Hole a swimming canyon.... big difference.... But I really like them both, particularly when you add Das Boot to the start of Subway..

I put this video together hoping to give folks a good idea of what the Black Hole is really like. I know of nothing else to compare the Black Hole to.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqXQ8n_0FMc
ilipichicuma
07-01-2011, 05:51 PM
I, in my somewhat limited experience, agree with Shane. I had never seen anything like it.
ghawk
07-01-2011, 08:25 PM
YEP! Chevy Metro it was! No vehicle at the exit point for a shuttle so you guys must have hiked the road back. I was actually a bit surprised to see the Metro, don't see too many Canyoneers with cars that small. I figured it was probably a passerby that saw the Kiosk and thought they would go on a little hike and see what all the hype was about.
That Metro has been everywhere. Had it pretty much since I started canyoneering like 5 years ago. The most recent awesome Metro conquest was getting it to the head of quandary canyon... It was awesome!!
Good Trip report Cliff. I love how were both gimpy. Also Cliff you forgot to post this picture.


You don't want to make Cliff Angry...
ghawk
07-01-2011, 08:29 PM
Hulk Smash!
MPH
07-01-2011, 08:33 PM
How were the bugs down there?
ghawk
07-01-2011, 08:41 PM
Weather was weird when we were down there. Stormy and windy all night and then clear the next day. So I think the bugs got blown out. Either way there were no problems for us :2thumbs:
- Gavin
dmMatrix
07-02-2011, 12:48 PM
Sweet Video, That seems pretty fun.
Canyonbug
07-02-2011, 06:09 PM
The bugs right now are pretty menacing in various areas. When I did the Black Hole June 25th, the bugs were prevalent on the rim, but not much of a problem. They were non-existent once down in the canyon. I was in North Wash Monday evening through Wednesday morning and I was getting eatin alive there within 30 seconds of stepping out of the car. It was pretty brutal. They simmered down as usual once the sun went down, but when the sun came back out they were terrible.