WorkBad
03-02-2013, 06:38 PM
Wife and I took a jaunt through U Turn Canyon 28 February 2013. Weather was in the 20's at night and during the day was in high 60's maybe even into the 70's.
We brought along with us a 165ft rope, 200ft pull cord, 110ft of webbing, helmets, loads of gummy bears, and heads full of wonder. This was our first descent of U Turn.
Due to the canyons northern exposure, depth and high surrounding cliffs, it has remained icy and snowy. Compared to its counterpart (Tierdrop) next door this one was still in the throes of winter.
Please only use the washes to and from this canyon. This is a high profile area inside a national park where people are watching what you do, especially on the entrance and exit! Now is the time to be on your best behavior and show everyone that you care about your park access. :soapbox:
Aerial view of the route, courtesy of a pic I made from Google Earth.
63916
This pic from the asphalt road looking toward the crack climb necessary to gain the saddle.
63909
This is what the crack looks like from midway up it.
63910
And another shot from the very top looking down.
63911
From the saddle we turned right and headed to the first stone dome, which we went left around.
Immediately after this dome we went straight up and over the next dome, right of the diving board looking rock.
63912
After the second dome you will come to something that looks like this, well actually exactly like this:haha:
63914
One of the boulders in the above image is supposed to be bolted. I'm not sure because in my glee I didn't even know this was a rap and we accidentally down climbed it.:crazycobasa:
Next rap is from two bolts left down canyon behind two massive boulders. People have been slinging the large boulder in the drainage, probably unaware of the bolts, and its soft stone is showing wear.
63915
Here is a shot of where the anchor is located after taking the short rappel. We pulled the rope from as far back as possible to eliminate the chance of further rope pull grooves.
63904
After this rap the drainage shoots out into a huge bowl, that for us was covered in snow and ice. I think we were supposed to be able to down climb this in normal conditions. It was treacherous this day. We built a retrievable anchor off a Juniper and gently descended to an anchor 40-50 feet below.
63905
The next anchor I had to free from the snow and ice. Once inspected we lowered ourselves down a short free hanging section. Again we got far enough back that our pull didn't leave any further rope pull grooves.:2thumbs:
63906
A short hike to the lower large terrace brought us to the Wile Coyote rock for some great shots.:cool2:
63907
We walked back along the ridge, did the final rap and made our way back to the car following the drainage. Back to camp for some chow and a good nights rest.
Have fun and be safe out there!
We brought along with us a 165ft rope, 200ft pull cord, 110ft of webbing, helmets, loads of gummy bears, and heads full of wonder. This was our first descent of U Turn.
Due to the canyons northern exposure, depth and high surrounding cliffs, it has remained icy and snowy. Compared to its counterpart (Tierdrop) next door this one was still in the throes of winter.
Please only use the washes to and from this canyon. This is a high profile area inside a national park where people are watching what you do, especially on the entrance and exit! Now is the time to be on your best behavior and show everyone that you care about your park access. :soapbox:
Aerial view of the route, courtesy of a pic I made from Google Earth.
63916
This pic from the asphalt road looking toward the crack climb necessary to gain the saddle.
63909
This is what the crack looks like from midway up it.
63910
And another shot from the very top looking down.
63911
From the saddle we turned right and headed to the first stone dome, which we went left around.
Immediately after this dome we went straight up and over the next dome, right of the diving board looking rock.
63912
After the second dome you will come to something that looks like this, well actually exactly like this:haha:
63914
One of the boulders in the above image is supposed to be bolted. I'm not sure because in my glee I didn't even know this was a rap and we accidentally down climbed it.:crazycobasa:
Next rap is from two bolts left down canyon behind two massive boulders. People have been slinging the large boulder in the drainage, probably unaware of the bolts, and its soft stone is showing wear.
63915
Here is a shot of where the anchor is located after taking the short rappel. We pulled the rope from as far back as possible to eliminate the chance of further rope pull grooves.
63904
After this rap the drainage shoots out into a huge bowl, that for us was covered in snow and ice. I think we were supposed to be able to down climb this in normal conditions. It was treacherous this day. We built a retrievable anchor off a Juniper and gently descended to an anchor 40-50 feet below.
63905
The next anchor I had to free from the snow and ice. Once inspected we lowered ourselves down a short free hanging section. Again we got far enough back that our pull didn't leave any further rope pull grooves.:2thumbs:
63906
A short hike to the lower large terrace brought us to the Wile Coyote rock for some great shots.:cool2:
63907
We walked back along the ridge, did the final rap and made our way back to the car following the drainage. Back to camp for some chow and a good nights rest.
Have fun and be safe out there!