West Canyon - Tiger Route

[Slot Machine]

On April 15th, 2016, Tom Collins, Mark Burnham, Steph and I completed an exploration of what we call the Tiger Route. Sam Goodhue and Tony Long were the rim team. Jim Clery had to leave a day early, so he did not join us on this day.

______

West Canyon - Tiger Route



While sitting around camp the night before Tiger, the topic of flash floods came up. Jim shared his story about passing the group of seven that was killed in Keyhole by a flash flood this past summer. It was sobering to hear about his close brush with death; it planted nervous seeds in each of our minds as menacing clouds passed overhead.
_____

When morning arrived the weather was windy and cold. Black clouds loomed in the distance. I was feeling antsy, eager to do an exploration after sitting on the sidelines the previous day.

Each of us seemed nervous and hesitant. We did not want the rim team to suffer excessively in the cold, so we all agreed that the upper reaches of Tiger were overkill. We thoroughly scouted the lower section of the drainage, looking for X-rated stemming or signs of enormous potholes. The canyon looked reasonably friendly from above.

Steph, Tom and I rapped into the drainage and immediately donned wetsuits. We splashed down a section of easy obstacles, communicating with the rim team above about the weather. Soon, Tom, Steph and I reached a deep keeper pothole.

Tom went in first, followed by Steph. I stayed out in case we needed to reverse. Then Tom boosted Steph out, in fine form:

83316

83317

83318

83319

On the far side of the pothole was an overhung 30 foot rappel into a water filled chamber. I farmed some sand for the Sandtrap, crossed the pothole, then rapped off Steph into the chamber. Steph and Tom set up a hanging Sandtrap on the exit wall of the pothole, then Tom rapped into the chamber with me. Steph came down last while giving me precise instructions to dump the sand out of the Trap while she unweighted it. It was a symphony of technique, and Steph was the conductor.

83320

The inside of the chamber was amazing. Three large bridges crossed the span within, impossible to photograph all at once. The sounds of our awestruck voices tortured the rim team above. The sun momentarily showed its face, prodding Mark to join us, so he rapped in just below the chamber then hiked upstream to get a peek.

Then we headed downstream and turned a corner to behold the biggest keeper pothole, by double, that I’ve ever seen. My first and only thought was, “That pothole is going to stop us. Thank God we have a rim team.”

Tom and Mark instantly went into Potshot throwing mode. The entry side of the keeper was somewhat similar to the Pit of Despair, so they already had a plan for this. They took turns bracing and throwing half-full potshots. Each came up short, but not for lack of effort or technique. I’m certain they could have made the throws with one-third full potshots.

83321

83322

83323

After a few throws, Mark went into the pothole to retrieve a potshot and rope that had fallen in. He soon discovered that the water was not quite as deep as it looked. He grabbed the wet potshot and gave it a throw. Missed. Again. Made it! Then he threw another and it stuck! Whew!!

83326

83327

Once Mark was certain the Potshots would hold, he batmanned up the overhung lip holding just two lines!! WHOA!!! Victory! We rapped into the monster pothole off of a Sandtrap then overcame the exit lip using various non-batmannish methods. We shouted to the rim team that we had conquered the pothole. They said they were going to head back to camp because they could no longer traverse the top of the canyon above us. This sounded agreeable to all of us.

We headed down another drop, then stuck a Sandtrap. Mark upclimbed the drop and heroically retrieved it, then downclimbed the drop (amazing!). We were feeling pretty good about what we had just accomplished. We were at the Lion/Tiger junction, faced with a straightforward 40 foot rappel from a Sandtrap into the familiar narrows of Lion.

Then it began to rain.

Adrenalin surged as we all kicked into a higher gear. I rapped off Tom into Lion, then he threw down a 100 footer for me to rig at a bolted rappel downcanyon. I set the rope at the bolts and was down the rope in an instant. There I waited.

Then it began to rain hard. Then rain then turned to sleet.

Ten minutes was a very long time to stay put while staring the Grim Reaper in the eye. That same ten minute span was a very short time to set up a Sandtrap, send three people, then retrieve the Trap. I’m impressed and thankful they were so damn fast.

The next 350 yards of canyon was a blur of teamwork, panic and speed. What took an hour during the first visit flew by in about ten minutes. We bombed down slides and downclimbs without regard to limb, only regard to life. There was a moment when the canyon channeled each of us through a shower of rainwater that streamed disconcertingly from the top of the slot onto the narrow floor below. It was truly the stuff of nightmares.

The cathedral was an evil place compared to the first visit. Water trickled in from high above, so there was no time to marvel at its beauty. We ran through and jumped the last drop. We had survived the Tiger route. WHEW!

Soon we were all back at camp. All of the aches and pains from the trip were temporarily numbed by adrenalin. We were (and are) quite happy to be alive.

83324

83325


______

Rough beta:

We entered the canyon here, rapping from meat: 36 55 47 N 111 02 30 W
There are two big keeper potholes in this canyon. Both must be handled with care.
A rim team is suggested for this route. If the biggest keeper were ¾ full, it could easily stop a group.
One Sandtrap is required.
3 Potshots are recommended.
The longest rap is about 40 feet, but you will need a couple of longer ropes for conquering the potholes. A couple of 100 footers and a short rope should work well.
The rappel after the biggest keeper can be downclimbed by the highly skilled.
Tiger joins Lion just before the bolted anchor in Lion.

Enjoy!

-Bob

http://amazingslots.blogspot.com/2016/04/west-canyon-tiger-route.html

[oldno7]

What is the Navajo Nations permit fees. now?
$12 per person/day? Or $5camping per day:$5hiking per day?
Were is the best place to procure these for this area?

[Slot Machine]

What is the Navajo Nations permit fees. now?
$12 per person/day? Or $5camping per day:$5hiking per day?
Were is the best place to procure these for this area?

$12 per person/day.

We obtained our permit through the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park.

http://www.navajonationparks.org/pdf/NPRD_BackCountryPermit.pdf

[oldno7]

Thanks

How long did the process take to get your permit?

[Slot Machine]

Thanks

How long did the process take to get your permit?

You're welcome.

It only took a week to get our permit back in the mail. Very speedy.

[deagol]

you guys have had some great trips lately.. very jealous..

[hesse15]

Wow intense report glad you are all OK I love the pictures of how you toss Steph over the lip wich such ease

Sent from my LENNY using Tapatalk

[TommyBoy]

Its a little blurry and the memories are tinged with a dose of fear, being in canyon while it was raining, but I couldn't help but admire the added level of beauty that the rain added to an already incredible place.

This is in the upper section of West canyon
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-py8pofrTB3w/VxUgTsWgYpI/AAAAAAAAEgw/SAo8uScmqiw9SRcLXlEIeYnliYMZdDIcgCCo/s640/P1030549.JPG

[CanyonFreak]

Looks like a good one, how much canyon do you figure is above where your drop in?

[Slot Machine]

Looks like a good one, how much canyon do you figure is above where your drop in?

It was surprisingly good.

There is a LOT above our drop-in. At least 4,500 yards of canyon that breaks into branches and sub-branches. We did not have time to scout any of it due to poor weather.

[CanyonFreak]

Thanks for sharing the find/beta and glad your team made it out safely. Sounds like a lot of canyon if it's anything like the lower.

[Canyonero]

FYI- This route had a name prior to you assigning it "Tiger Route" which may quite possibly be the worst name I've ever seen for a canyon. I would suggest the original name.

I would also suggest you add a thank-you note in your posted beta to the first descent team and subsequent descenders that made it possible for you to also have the exploration experience there by not posting beta, not leaving bolts, and being careful not even to leave rope grooves. Too bad no one else will ever have that same experience.

It should be noted that the first descent team did not use a rim team for this canyon and that seems like dramatic overkill for a team experienced in negotiating canyons in this area.

Glad you had fun, it truly is a great canyon, one of my favorites. But you probably ought to ask around a bit before renaming canyons, much less widely publicizing their location, unless you want all of Southern Utah on a permit system like Zion and soon to be Arches are. There's not that many people exploring canyons in that area. I'm sure you know the main players and how to contact them.

[Slot Machine]

:roll: Lick my balls Canyonero , whoever you are.

[Iceaxe]

Wow! I need to find some canyoneer groupies that will applaud my awesomeness and numerous first claimed descents. Their reward will be to post banter in canyon forums and praise me for my greatness.


FWIW: Be careful claiming first descents, because the one thing I have learned from my numerous years of canyoneering is they very seldom are. Too many people came before with other agendas that have descended the canyons. For instance all of the Lake Powell canyon were first explored in the 1950's by survey crews, and those guys were some badass hardcore men that were born pre everyone gets a trophy.

:soapbox:

[Sombeech]

Here's a serious question;

How do you ask around about a canyon, if it's been named / descended before, if you don't want to bring attention to the canyon? I assume you'd need to post a few pictures somewhere, with a location and some description. But wouldn't that also publicize the canyon and spark general interest in it?

I mean, if texting or emailing a handful of people doesn't work in obtaining more info, how else can you find out about it without bringing it into the spotlight?

Anywho... back to the Trip Report. Thanks for posting, looks like a great canyon.

[Scott P]

FYI- This route had a name prior to you assigning it "Tiger Route" which may quite possibly be the worst name I've ever seen for a canyon.

I knew of that canyon, but I don't know the previous name. The worst names for a canyon, however belong to whoever named the side forks of Warm Springs. I don't know who named them, but those names are terrible.


But you probably ought to ask around a bit before renaming canyons

Many groups rename canyons. I agree with you that the earliest names should be used, if known, but the groups making the descents of those canyons whom you are referring to as the "main players" are also renaming canyons. I am friends with some of them.


unless you want all of Southern Utah on a permit system like Zion and soon to be Arches are.

The canyon in question is already on a permit system and it is just as restrictive as the Zion and Arches permit system, with the exception of group size.

Anyway, I have always defended those who choose to keep canyons secret and those who are in the "show, but not tell" group. I support this viewpoint that people have a right to do this.

That said though, if someone finds a canyon all on their own, they are free to do what they want with the beta. Of course they should still take care of the canyon.

[Slot Machine]

I mean, if texting or emailing a handful of people doesn't work in obtaining more info, how else can you find out about it without bringing it into the spotlight?

You call me, then we go do the canyon that you want to do. Perhaps you choose to bring your drone. What do I care?

After a day of canyoneering, we'll sit around the campfire and discuss why it is perfectly OK to bring our new canyon into the spotlight.

Then I'll write about our adventure and you will post your drone video. We will enjoy our creations, and each other's.

Most people will enjoy our story, because that is the normal reaction to reading about other people having a good time.

A few people will disapprove of how we hiked and had a good time. They will say we were supposed to have a good time in a very specific way.

You should be prepared to tell those disapproving people to lick your balls. :haha:

http://i.imgur.com/S7GUdOm.gif

[Sombeech]

You call me, then we go do the canyon that you want to do. Perhaps you choose to bring your drone.
Hey I'm still up for getting some aerial footage. My new drone is much better than last year's model. No crashes,and it's super easy to get the right shot.

Let me know if there's an invite out there, a couple of weeks in advance helps too.


Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[SRG]

Canyonero,

The online mudslinging isn't necessary. Some people descend unpublished canyons and then keep them secret. Some people descend unpublished canyons and then publish beta. There are merits to both, but no right or wrong answer, best to try and understand the other side's point rather than drive yours home with sarcasm and vitrol.

In these trip reports the canyons are referred to by the working names that Bob gave them, presumably because at the time they were written no info was available regarding any previous names? If you check the Super Amazing Canyoneering Map, a community resource maintained by Bob, you'll notice that the Tiger Route is labeled Arch Nemesis, The Cheetah Route is labeled Happy Ending and the Lion Route is named Upper Slot of West Canyon. No one is trying to rename canyons.

Having a rim team allowed the in-canyon team to descend quickly, without fixing ropes at each drop. This was done because a storm was moving in and we had two members sitting this one out already who volunteered to be rim team.

If you'd be interested in sharing the story of the descent team who named this canyon Arch Nemesis, it would be a welcomed addition to this thread.

[Bootboy]

I wasn't going to post here but since it's been dredged back up...

I was in the group that did the likely first descent of this canyon a couple years ago. We operated on this assumption due to a complete lack of evidence of previous passage, mainly rope grooves and the fact that The tools used to ghost canyons like this are a fairly new developments in this obscure practice. We had a variety of tools at our disposal that allowed us to cleanly ghost it, tools regrettably not available to any groups that followed us.

It is not likely that anyone from the glen canyon survey group descended this canyon either. They simply didn't have a reason to and given the lack of these specialized tools in an era of man conquering nature, surely they would have left signs of passage in the form of hardware or defaced rock.

We explored this as a wilderness canyon and chose not to publish it in the interest of preserving it in its wild state in hopes that subsequent explorers could experience it just as we did, anew, with no evidence of our passage. That is the essence of the philosophy of most of the Glen Canyoneers with whom I associate. A "local ethic" if you will. It is not an exclusive group. It is very inclusive and information is liberally shared by word of mouth if you are but willing to honor the requests of the explorers by preserving the area as an adventure preserve and not publish it online. Pretty simple.
I think this accomplishes many purposes, one of the greatest of which is to build
a sense of community among those with a shared passion. It also fosters an ethic of conservation and accountability. You get to hear first hand accounts of adventure and misadventure from the brave souls who were the explorers. It really is a wonderful thing. It's virtue may be hard to see until you have experienced it but it exists, I promose.

I have descended the canyon 3 times now and saw that we left no evidence of passage between descents 1 and 2. There were, however, rope grooves in 2 places after at least one subsequent exploration. A disappointment but perhaps also an opportunity to share and educate others on the ethic of ghosting and it's logical philosophical extension of non publishing.

We actually named the canyon Arch Rival. Bob was informed of this and I chalk up the discrepancy to simple error. I commend him on his attempt to respect the original name however.

I recognize that people have the right to publish what they find and can only ask that they reconsider their decision to do so with future finds for the sake of preserving the spirit of exploration that was preserved for them. it will all be found and degraded eventually, why not buy some time?

I share this philosophy in hopes that it might gain followers within the community.

I posit that just because the Internet exists, doesn't mean everything has to be put there. I would hope that no one ever takes a drone to places like this considering that there are fewer and fewer wild and secret places with each passing year and that there is value in keeping certain treasures from the eyes of the world, that there is value in leaving something for those with a spirit of exploration. These things can only be preserved or lost, never regained and there are less of them with the passage of time.


Respectfully,

Taylor

[Slot Machine]

I have descended the canyon 3 times now and saw that we left no evidence of passage between descents 1 and 2. There were, however, rope grooves in 2 places after at least one subsequent exploration.

Do you have photos of the grooves? If so, what date were the photos taken?


We actually named the canyon Arch Rival. Bob was informed of this and I chalk up the discrepancy to simple error.

Not an error. :roll: I'm not editing anything. Consider it a snapshot from the day it was written, a time when I did not know the canyon by any other name.


I commend him on his attempt to respect the original name however.

The Map is not a political tool. I simply attach the most commonly used name to each canyon. Please don't interpret my practicality as respect.

That reminds me, if anyone sees Canyonero, could you please pass this along?

84968

[Bootboy]

Do you have photos of the grooves? If so, what date were the photos taken?



Not an error. :roll: I'm not editing anything. Consider it a snapshot from the day it was written, a time when I did not know the canyon by any other name.



The Map is not a political tool. I simply attach the most commonly used name to each canyon. Please don't interpret my practicality as respect.

That reminds me, if anyone sees Canyonero, could you please pass this along?

84968



I was in there only 2 weeks ago. Sorry, no photos. But the grooves are on the drop into the arch room, and immediately after the big pothole. Note that It is possible that others have been in there in the intervening time between my trips 2 and 3



Regards,

from one explorer to another.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Scott P]

That reminds me, if anyone sees Canyonero, could you please pass this along?

I think the phrased that is passed on doesn't help the conversation.

[Slot Machine]

I think the phrased that is passed on doesn't help the conversation.

Scott, if you went on a really cool hike, then wrote about it, then you received a bunch of email telling you to modify your writing, or that you are hurting peoples feelings, wouldn't that surprise you?

It certainly surprised me. What business is it of their's? Why would I even begin to care about what they want me to do? I don't owe them anything, so, what would be my motive to do what they suggest? Because I honor people that passed through before us? Certainly not. Because I care deeply about future generations? Not for a moment do I think about them. Nor am I under any obligation to do so.

Then, 5 months later, you get some chump that parrots exactly what those email said posting that you 'ought to' do this, or 'ought to' do that. Why wouldn’t you tell him to lick your balls?? I think that it is a perfectly normal reaction, considering the context.

Really, these dudes are trying to limit what I write, while preaching a method that is one part sensible and two parts censorship. It bothers the hell out of them that we can reach those places and do those canyons. They say that those canyons will get over-crowded, but in reality, the wilderness itself is a prohibitive barrier that stops people from going there. They say that the exploration experience will get robbed from future travelers. That is also nonsense. Simply go do those canyons without reading my writing. Purity problem solved.

Make no mistake, their method is NOT an ethic. They are silly rules imposed by their group on their group. And I don't care about those rules, nor should I.

I wish Canyonero were around to chime in, but he is probably cruising some low-traffic, no-content, single-minded, junior varsity censorship forum, desperately looking for something fun to read. I don't have enough middle fingers to express what I think about his thoughts, but I do have two nuts, so I hope he comes back to Bogley so that he can-

84969

[Scott P]

Why wouldn’t you tell him to lick your balls??

Because it adds nothing to the conversation, nor helps explain any viewpoint.


Because I care deeply about future generations? Not for a moment do I think about them. Nor am I under any obligation to do so.

I would have to disagree with this part.

[Slot Machine]

I would have to disagree with this part.

Please Scott, if you are going to quote, pull the entire thought into focus. Out of context I care, in context I don't.


Why would I even begin to care about what they want me to do? I don't owe them anything, so, what would be my motive to do what they suggest? Because I honor people that passed through before us? Certainly not. Because I care deeply about future generations? Not for a moment do I think about them. Nor am I under any obligation to do so.

[Sombeech]

Although I don't generally have a horse in the canyoneering race, I've got an opinion (I know, they're like a$$holes)

When some desire a canyon to remain secret, they cannot expect it to retain their choice title. We can't have it both ways, to correctly title a secret canyon while expecting outsiders to know what it's named.

Also, if you want it to remain secret, I would assume the incorrect name would serve this purpose better.

I'm not taking sides, this is just an opinion from the viewing gallery.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[Iceaxe]

^^^THIS^^^

Something I've learned from years of canyoneering and spraying beta is that naming rights seldom go to the first descent team. Naming rights usually go to the first person that publicly beta's the canyon. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, it's just the way it is.

The times I've noticed this doesn't hold true is if the original name is considered vulgar, dumb or stupid by the canyoneering community.

:popcorn:

[Iceaxe]

Really, these dudes are trying to limit what I write, while preaching a method that is one part sensible and two parts censorship. It bothers the hell out of them that we can reach those places and do those canyons. They say that those canyons will get over-crowded, but in reality, the wilderness itself is a prohibitive barrier that stops people from going there. They say that the exploration experience will get robbed from future travelers. That is also nonsense. Simply go do those canyons without reading my writing. Purity problem solved.

Make no mistake, their method is NOT an ethic. They are silly rules imposed by their group on their group. And I don't care about those rules, nor should I.

I understand the reasoning behind the "Show but don't tell" mentality. However I have absolutely no interest in practicing it because I see it as nothing more than a form a canyon guiding and I have no interest in being guided through a canyon. A big part of the thrill I get from canyoneering is if I can't figure out the problems it's my ass on the line. With "show but don't tell" there is always someone along that has solved the problems before. To me it's like taking a math test but you can look at the answer key if you get stuck. What fun is that?

YMMV

[Scott P]

^^^THIS^^^

Something I've learned from years of canyoneering and spraying beta is that naming rights seldom go to the first descent team. Naming rights usually go to the first person that publicly beta's the canyon. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, it's just the way it is.

The times I've noticed this doesn't hold true is if the original name is considered vulgar, dumb or stupid by the canyoneering community.

:popcorn:

The next canyon I name is going to be "Shane Loves Hillary". :wink:

[Sombeech]

The next canyon I name is going to be "Shane Loves Hillary". :wink:

Isn't that the one in Zions right after you go through the tunnel?

[Iceaxe]

The next canyon I name is going to be "Shane Loves Hillary". :wink:


http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160929/cefb8028daff8d36563bed11c585e27a.jpg

[harness man]

At least we know that Slot's next first descent has to be named/renamed LMB.
And the next one, Munchmyrug.

[TommyBoy]

They say that those canyons will get over-crowded, but in reality, the wilderness itself is a prohibitive barrier that stops people from going there.


Actually this isn't entirely accurate, take a look at Poe, a very hard canyon with a wilderness barrier (albeit not quite as big as the one to get to West) and yet as soon as it got published there was an increase in people doing it. That's not to say its overcrowded, but it is showing signs of visitation, rope grooves, bolts, ect, and the argument to not publish isn't just about overcrowding, but changing the feel of the canyons away from a pristine state. Now that this area is being published it will change as well, maybe not to the extent that Bootboy and Canyonero think, but it will change even for those who don't read the beta.

[Iceaxe]

It's been my experience that many canyons see a large increase in traffic when they are first popularized with pictures, chest thumping and beta. But they have a tendency to slide back into obscurity once the cool factor begins to wear off and the next latest and greatest canyon suddenly appears on the lemming radar.

YMMV

[Slot Machine]

Actually this isn't entirely accurate, take a look at Poe, a very hard canyon with a wilderness barrier (albeit not quite as big as the one to get to West) and yet as soon as it got published there was an increase in people doing it. That's not to say its overcrowded, but it is showing signs of visitation, rope grooves, bolts, ect, and the argument to not publish isn't just about overcrowding, but changing the feel of the canyons away from a pristine state. Now that this area is being published it will change as well, maybe not to the extent that Bootboy and Canyonero think, but it will change even for those who don't read the beta.

Courtesy edit: the wilderness itself is a prohibitive barrier that stops most people, everyone but the very hard-core, from going there.

Sir Tom, using too many words is the key to bad writing. I apologize for writing so well and for sacrificing the minute details. :mrgreen:

Anyway,

I do see your point. Secrecy and censorship seem like flaccid ways to handle these issues in the internet age. I think education and inclusion are wiser long-term methods today, although no solution is a perfect one.

*thoughtful tone*

You present a problem TommyBoy , but offer no solution. What would be your solution? The same strategy that was used in 1980?

[badwobot]

Yall are hilarious :roflol:

[TommyBoy]

I do see your point. Secrecy and censorship seem like flaccid ways to handle these issues in the internet age. I think education and inclusion are wiser long-term methods today, although no solution is a perfect one.

*thoughtful tone*

You present a problem @TommyBoy (http://www.bogley.com/forum/member.php?u=20959) , but offer no solution. What would be your solution? The same strategy that was used in 1980?

I'm all about poking holes in peoples arguments:twisted:, coming up with solutions, I'm not as good with that. If I come up with one though I'll let you know.

You already know my opinion though, I'm with the secret society people, I'm just not as vocal as some of them. For me its not even about keeping people out, I just think there are enough areas that are already beta'd to keep people busy for years so leaving an area unpublished for those that like that sort of thing isn't asking a lot. I know in talking to you that a large part of your enjoyment of the sport comes with writing about it afterwards, but if you just cut the last paragraph off of your TR it would have had the same effect of sharing the experience without upsetting those who want to keep the area unpublished. This probably won't change your opinion since I think we've hashed this all out before in person, guess we'll just have to politely agree to disagree.

[Scott P]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160929/cefb8028daff8d36563bed11c585e27a.jpg

She's just explaining how long it would take her to reach orgasm, if she could have me. Unfortunately for her though, I'm already taken.