WorkBad
04-21-2013, 07:39 PM
On 12 April 2013 Natalie and I took a detour from "life as usual" and made our way down MMI canyon. We brought with us a 215ft rope, 200ft pull cord and 70ft of webbing.
This area is so pretty! From our campsite we had a wonderful view of the La Sal Mountains, the Porcupine Rim, Moab Rim, Elephant Butte, and many other wonderful features inside Arches National Park.
65428
Having done MMI's sister canyon next door (Undercover) we were hoping to find another great treat. Sadly this canyon pales in comparison, the technical portion (minus rap 4) is more of a trash heap of soft stone boulders that have fallen off the cliff sides into a crack. This canyon was different than what we were used to as far as our usual canyoneering goes.
Almost the entire technical portion of this canyon can be seen from the top.
65423
The canyon rim can be identified by its wide and flat appearance up top. We started this canyon by down climbing LDC off the rim into the first of the hairy looking stuff. It then drops off 25-30 feet to the next tier. There is a boundary sign for Arches NP off on the left side looking down canyon.
This is a picture from the top right next to where we down climbed, note the boundary signage.
65424
We rebuilt the anchor for the first rap to make it much closer to the actual drop and eliminate the chance of rope grooves. This first rap can also be down climbed by the skilled and brave. It is probably 40 feet or so to the next anchor.
A picture of me setting up the anchor for the first rap
65425
Natalie on the rap 1
65426
After rap 1 we stopped at a choke stone which is used as the anchor point for rap 2. Rap 2 is about 65 feet and goes past an interesting cracked choke stone that looks to be hovering in place. Rap 2 is a little tricky in that we didn't actually go all the way to the bottom. We got off rappel onto the boulders towards the bottom but avoided the pit below.
Natalie almost to the bottom of rap 2.
65430
Rap 3 starts just after rap 2 and is from a large heavy boulder. I don't remember how long this rap was but I'm guessing less than 50 feet or so.
Picture is from the top of rap 3 looking down canyon
65431
Picture is from the bottom of rap 3 looking up.
65429
After this rap we walked down canyon for about 5 minutes to the top of a 15 foot drop. There was a tree about 25-30 feet up canyon to anchor from but we decided to just partner assist our way down. I used Natalie as my meat anchor by having her stand next to the tree. I then lowered myself and assisted her down from below.
Shortly after this 15 foot drop we came to the top of rap 4 which is about 95-100 feet high. Rap 4 is from a large juniper that is 45 feet back from the edge. Please bring lots of webbing to rig this correctly and avoid additional rope grooves. Or just use a Fiddle Stick.
The anchor for rap 4, large tree in the background.
65433
A picture from the top of rap 4 looking down, note the terrible rope grooves.
65432
Looking back up rap 4 from the bottom.
65434
The rest of the canyon is a cake walk through some beautiful scenery! Honestly the hike out is what made this canyon worth it to me. Huge sandstone alcoves, a couple of arches high on the cliff walls, and an easy to follow meandering wash.
First a great alcove!
65435
Arch 1
65436
Arch 2
65437
We hiked down to the MMI exit, up to the rim and back to the car. Don't forget to check out Covert Arch too! For a description on the exit I recommend visiting www.climb-utah.com (http://\"http://www.climb-utah.com\") or check out details in my other trip report for Undercover Canyon. http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68372-Undercover-Canyon
This area is so pretty! From our campsite we had a wonderful view of the La Sal Mountains, the Porcupine Rim, Moab Rim, Elephant Butte, and many other wonderful features inside Arches National Park.
65428
Having done MMI's sister canyon next door (Undercover) we were hoping to find another great treat. Sadly this canyon pales in comparison, the technical portion (minus rap 4) is more of a trash heap of soft stone boulders that have fallen off the cliff sides into a crack. This canyon was different than what we were used to as far as our usual canyoneering goes.
Almost the entire technical portion of this canyon can be seen from the top.
65423
The canyon rim can be identified by its wide and flat appearance up top. We started this canyon by down climbing LDC off the rim into the first of the hairy looking stuff. It then drops off 25-30 feet to the next tier. There is a boundary sign for Arches NP off on the left side looking down canyon.
This is a picture from the top right next to where we down climbed, note the boundary signage.
65424
We rebuilt the anchor for the first rap to make it much closer to the actual drop and eliminate the chance of rope grooves. This first rap can also be down climbed by the skilled and brave. It is probably 40 feet or so to the next anchor.
A picture of me setting up the anchor for the first rap
65425
Natalie on the rap 1
65426
After rap 1 we stopped at a choke stone which is used as the anchor point for rap 2. Rap 2 is about 65 feet and goes past an interesting cracked choke stone that looks to be hovering in place. Rap 2 is a little tricky in that we didn't actually go all the way to the bottom. We got off rappel onto the boulders towards the bottom but avoided the pit below.
Natalie almost to the bottom of rap 2.
65430
Rap 3 starts just after rap 2 and is from a large heavy boulder. I don't remember how long this rap was but I'm guessing less than 50 feet or so.
Picture is from the top of rap 3 looking down canyon
65431
Picture is from the bottom of rap 3 looking up.
65429
After this rap we walked down canyon for about 5 minutes to the top of a 15 foot drop. There was a tree about 25-30 feet up canyon to anchor from but we decided to just partner assist our way down. I used Natalie as my meat anchor by having her stand next to the tree. I then lowered myself and assisted her down from below.
Shortly after this 15 foot drop we came to the top of rap 4 which is about 95-100 feet high. Rap 4 is from a large juniper that is 45 feet back from the edge. Please bring lots of webbing to rig this correctly and avoid additional rope grooves. Or just use a Fiddle Stick.
The anchor for rap 4, large tree in the background.
65433
A picture from the top of rap 4 looking down, note the terrible rope grooves.
65432
Looking back up rap 4 from the bottom.
65434
The rest of the canyon is a cake walk through some beautiful scenery! Honestly the hike out is what made this canyon worth it to me. Huge sandstone alcoves, a couple of arches high on the cliff walls, and an easy to follow meandering wash.
First a great alcove!
65435
Arch 1
65436
Arch 2
65437
We hiked down to the MMI exit, up to the rim and back to the car. Don't forget to check out Covert Arch too! For a description on the exit I recommend visiting www.climb-utah.com (http://\"http://www.climb-utah.com\") or check out details in my other trip report for Undercover Canyon. http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?68372-Undercover-Canyon