Portal Canyon 3/16/13

[2065toyota]

A group of 9 of us (Kody, Devin, Chris, Kyler, Charlie, AJ, Luke, Eric & Lindi), decided to head down to the Gorge again to beat the heat that is inevitably coming. The canyon was very fun and very scenic but it does come at a price. 2500' or elevation climb to to the to of the gorge. You could see St. George and almost Mesquite at the same time. There is nothing but sheep trails to follow and we didn't see another human print on the approach or in the canyon. Tons of bushwacking in the canyon, pants and long sleeves recommended. I stopped counting, but there are 15-18 raps and lots of downclimbs. We took a 200', 120', 100' & 95' ropes all with pull cords. Having 2 @ 200' ropes would have helped speed it up a little. The limestone rock is definitely different than the limestone. It seems to be unpredictable in that traction, sometimes a lot, then some super slick. We left St. George about 6 am on got back about 7:30. All went well and we no real issues or dramatic events. Overall a very great trip, but I am feeling it a little today. Need to get in better shape for these type. Eric brought his 8 year old daughter again. It was a little slower, but she is a trooper for this type of a canyon. On the long wraps, multiple 150'+, we would stone knot the rap rope and the 6mm pull could and they would go down together and it worked very well with the ATS on high friction side for her.

http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf5856-jpg.1488/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf5859-jpg.1489/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf5863-jpg.1490/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf5864-jpg.1491/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf5867-jpg.1492/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf5869-jpg.1493/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf5876-jpg.1494/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf5880-jpg.1495/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf5883-jpg.1496/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf5888-jpg.1497/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf5900-jpg.1498/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf1331-jpg.1499/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf1349-jpg.1500/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf1357-jpg.1501/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf1362-jpg.1502/ http://canyoncollective.com/attachments/dscf5855-jpg.1487/

[jman]

Thanks for sharing! Looks like a fun canyon, minus the bushwacking.

Pretty impressive of the 8year old lasting the entire day and doing all of those rappels.

[oldno7]

Nice report....

[Byron]

8 years old, eh? That's awesome! Did you belay her for those raps or did she do them all by herself? If so, that's impressive. Brave young girl, even with a belay.

[2065toyota]

She always had a belay. When available we always provide a belay for everybody. No reason to be at risk especially on a route than is rarely visited

[rockrat]

Finally, my first post! Portal was a great time. The bushwack accent of 2500' to get the top sucked but the canyon made up for it with plenty of big rappels, with a few nearing 200'. It's definitely different from the sandstone of Zion that I am used to. This was the first time I have done some exploring in the gorge area and I would like to come back and do some more. Cherry Canyon is near Portal and from the glimpses I could get of it, it is now on my to do list.

Lindi is my daughter, she will be 8 in July. This was here second real canyon and first really big one. I think she did an awesome job! Thank you Kody and to everyone who help spot and belay her.:smile:

Note to anyone who attemps this canyon, WHERE PANTS! My legs got shredded on the hike up.

[Iceaxe]

Thanks for the TR and pictures.

Tap'n on my Galaxy G3

[peakbaggers]

Nice series of photos. Shows the canyon quite well. :2thumbs:

[Aj84737]

Great job with the photos kody. Showed the canyon very well. Thanks for the invite it was fun doing a canyon with your crew. We will have to get together again. That hike in sucked but the canyon rocked. WEAR PANTS!!!!

[ilipichicuma]

Someday I will have kids and they will also be that cool. Sweet report! :2thumbs:

[2065toyota]

I really enjoy having a least one of my kids with me on almost all canyons

[ghawk]

:2thumbs: Nice TR!