Cassidy Arch Canyon March 2015

[WorkBad]

25 March 2015, we descended Cassidy Arch Canyon. In addition to the usual canyon materials we used a 165ft rope and our new smooth operator. Time car to car, 3hrs.

Capitol Reef was a new place for us to canyoneer and to me felt like a cross between Zion and San Rafael Swell. This place was very beautiful and made us excited to go on our first canyon. Cassidy was first on the list and also our first canyon of the year. We both felt a little rusty having only accomplished a few small hikes prior in the Wasatch. Nonetheless, we ate lunch gathered our gear and made the quick hike to the arch and first rappel.

The arch is grand and very high up. We took a few moments to take in the sights then went to work on the first anchor setup. Based on what I read the first drop must be done using a ghost technique due to its location inside the park and the unsightly mess of anchor materials. We removed the old webbing that someone else left and used the smooth operator for the first two rappels. The geometry of the first rappel was ideal for the smooth operator. The almost 90 degree angle from pull to anchor made this type of tool shine. One good tug and everything came down in a neat pile. The rest of the canyon went very quickly and was quite enjoyable.

Please visit www.bluugnome.com (http://www.bluugnome.com) for route information

Enjoy the photos.

Area overview
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Area detail
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Cassidy Arch w/ rap 1 anchor tree on the left
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Rap 1 anchor setup
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Looking down the first rap
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Looking back up rap 1
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Natalie on the rap 2
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Scenery
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Rap through hole, pull rope over arch from far back (leaves no grooves)
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Scenery
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Hike out
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[Rob L]

Excellent TR.

I did this route last year with three total strangers; what a lovely canyon it is.

[WorkBad]

Thanks Rob. Let me know the next time you are in the USofA, maybe we can hit up a few canyons together.

[jman]

Is that bridge in the canyon??

[WorkBad]

Yes siree! Mr. jman.

Sent from my HTC6525LVW using Tapatalk

[deagol]

nice report.

I have done that canyon twice and both times, there was unnecessary webbing at the first drop. The first time, we got to the top as the LAPAR for the party ahead of us was getting ready to go down. He didn't care that the park's policy was to not leave webbing there (or at least I think it is the Park's policy?). I cut out the webbing right after he pulled his rope.

So easy to use something like the Smooth Operator there. First time we used "The Buckle" and second time used the Smooth Operator.. quick, easy, no rope groves...

[WorkBad]

nice report.

......... (or at least I think it is the Park's policy?)..............

So easy to use something like the Smooth Operator there. First time we used "The Buckle" and second time used the Smooth Operator.. quick, easy, no rope groves...

Awesome, Thanks Deagol.

To be honest I'm not sure what the parks official policy is on leaving anchor material, but leaving nothing makes the most sense. I think we all just understand and agree that when people visit that beautiful place they don't want to see trash. I'm ok with this because my enjoyment shouldn't interfere with or take precedence over any other.