Telephone Canyon - June 7th 2014

[Michael_WB]

Took the first shuttle, set off from the Grotto at 06h35, passed Scout Lookout at 07h15 and continued along the West Rim Trail. Looked down into Behunin from the switchbacks on our way towards the top of Telephone. Met a few folks either on their way to (or back from, having decided not to do) Heaps.

Worked our way down the canyon, which was a cool route, though quite slippery/dusty in places. All anchors/webbing/etc in good condition. Ate lunch just before the last rappel and wandered back across the slickrock to the WRT. Ambled back to Zion Canyon, consuming the last drops of our water as we (re-)approached the Grotto.

A nice little canyon, but a bit of a hike in (and out), even going early to avoid most of the heat.

Although after Icebox and Fat Mans last week, it didn't actually seem so bad :cool2:

[Canyonater]

It is a bit of a hike for Telephone...on the hike down why not descend down Lower refrigerator to the main canyon for more bang for your buck? If you made really good time you could also combo with Behunin....

[ratagonia]

It is a bit of a hike for Telephone...on the hike down why not descend down Lower refrigerator to the main canyon for more bang for your buck? If you made really good time you could also combo with Behunin....

Lower Fridge - good choice. Middle Fridge - bad choice.

But really, Behunin is the way to get out of there.

Tom

[jman]

Michael, are most of these canyons that you and Maarten are doing this year, are they new to you or repeats?

[Michael_WB]

Tom, no permits available for Behunin, or we would have exited that way, (we have descended Behunin a couple of times during previous trips). Lower Refrigerator looked hot and not so great from the bridge, so we just continued down the trail in time for tea and medals at the Grotto ;-)

jman, this our third trip together to Zion and we made a deliberate effort to try new (and more demanding routes) for the most part. So no Behunin, Echo, Mystery, Birch Hollow, Keyhole, etc, but Right Fork, Imlay, Icebox, Englestead, Fat Man's Misery and Telephone (though could have been Heaps). OK, Neon was a repeat, but conditions were quite different, and we dropped in a ways further up as well.

As an introduction we did Hidden Star, and did a couple of runs through Pine Creek on our 'rest' days. I am currently at McCarran waiting to board my flight back to Europe, tired but very happy with the whole trip. Beautiful hikes and challenging itineraries, of course made all the better for the fine company of a good canyoneering buddy. To spend 24/7 with the same person in such a variety of situations for 15 days requires a good deal of friendship and tolerance... on both sides :-)

[Felicia]

It was great meeting you guys - glad to hear that you had such an awesome trip. Cheers!

Felicia