jman
04-02-2016, 04:22 PM
I was talking to a co-worker (Rob) who knows all about my adventures and canyoneering trips. He now knows about our secret places and admires that there is an "obsession" for it.
He would like to try it out one day but he says he is too out of shape (he isn't) to do it and that the "old woman" thinks it's too dangerous for him to try.
But after talking to him over the years, getting his reactions and comments from a non-canyoneer (about adventures, video edits, what-if scenarios, has been invaluable in getting an objective view from time to time.
With that context, he was telling me about his recent trip down to Moab (over Easter), where his family and about 3,000,000 other hikers were going up Negro Bill Canyon to Morning Glory Bridge.
In reverse, the canyoneering route is called the "Medieval Chamber" and starts on the top of the mesa and ends at this bridge for a grande finale. And indeed is a a grand finale! Unforgettable if you have not done it before.
Anyway, as he and his family were underneath the bridge, up by the spring, they heard some voices up above.
They got back and watched these 2 young, women canyoneers walk over to the bridge, talk, and next you know, someone yells "ROPE!!!" and as Rob described it "there was a loud clash and a bag that landed about 5 feet from a older Asian woman having her lunch!" Rob said that her face was priceless (not In a good way) and she almost sh** her pants...!
He said that the woman ran out of there so quick to the rest of the crowd, visibly upset, but unable to say anything due to the language barrier.
She was right underneath the Bridge and had no idea what "ROPE!" meant. Or, even what to expect!
It's my assumption that MOST people (outside of our circle) do not know what to do or what it means when someone yells "ROPE!".
Rob was obviously perturbed by the lack of consideration by the canyoneers and advised to me to tell others in the sport to "pay extra attention" in public settings. And to "those who are unfamiliar to your sport like me (Rob) to yell something other than 'ROPE!' Something more like "Hey, heads up guys! I'm throwing a rope over here or there! And is everyone out of the way?"
After letting his logic process in my mind for a bit, I agree!
Not every rappel needs to be a formal response and take a 5min conversation to explain, but perhaps, even just as a simple reminder, to be considerate of of those more popular rappels (heaps, Imlay, mystery, corona arch, medieval chamber, Arch Canyon (aka Johnson Canyon) bridal veil falls, and many many more) and to give those non-canyoneers a better heads-up of a projectile headed towards their head going 60mph...
Thoughts?
(Im sure I'm overthinking this but it made me pause and think of what I do in those situations).
Btw - we should be yelling "ROPE!" at every rappel regardless, as proper canyoneering etiquette would dictate, but where the general populous is, we need to be extra careful.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
He would like to try it out one day but he says he is too out of shape (he isn't) to do it and that the "old woman" thinks it's too dangerous for him to try.
But after talking to him over the years, getting his reactions and comments from a non-canyoneer (about adventures, video edits, what-if scenarios, has been invaluable in getting an objective view from time to time.
With that context, he was telling me about his recent trip down to Moab (over Easter), where his family and about 3,000,000 other hikers were going up Negro Bill Canyon to Morning Glory Bridge.
In reverse, the canyoneering route is called the "Medieval Chamber" and starts on the top of the mesa and ends at this bridge for a grande finale. And indeed is a a grand finale! Unforgettable if you have not done it before.
Anyway, as he and his family were underneath the bridge, up by the spring, they heard some voices up above.
They got back and watched these 2 young, women canyoneers walk over to the bridge, talk, and next you know, someone yells "ROPE!!!" and as Rob described it "there was a loud clash and a bag that landed about 5 feet from a older Asian woman having her lunch!" Rob said that her face was priceless (not In a good way) and she almost sh** her pants...!
He said that the woman ran out of there so quick to the rest of the crowd, visibly upset, but unable to say anything due to the language barrier.
She was right underneath the Bridge and had no idea what "ROPE!" meant. Or, even what to expect!
It's my assumption that MOST people (outside of our circle) do not know what to do or what it means when someone yells "ROPE!".
Rob was obviously perturbed by the lack of consideration by the canyoneers and advised to me to tell others in the sport to "pay extra attention" in public settings. And to "those who are unfamiliar to your sport like me (Rob) to yell something other than 'ROPE!' Something more like "Hey, heads up guys! I'm throwing a rope over here or there! And is everyone out of the way?"
After letting his logic process in my mind for a bit, I agree!
Not every rappel needs to be a formal response and take a 5min conversation to explain, but perhaps, even just as a simple reminder, to be considerate of of those more popular rappels (heaps, Imlay, mystery, corona arch, medieval chamber, Arch Canyon (aka Johnson Canyon) bridal veil falls, and many many more) and to give those non-canyoneers a better heads-up of a projectile headed towards their head going 60mph...
Thoughts?
(Im sure I'm overthinking this but it made me pause and think of what I do in those situations).
Btw - we should be yelling "ROPE!" at every rappel regardless, as proper canyoneering etiquette would dictate, but where the general populous is, we need to be extra careful.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk