07/04/16 - Black Hole Rescue

[jman]

Hasn't hit the mass media quite yet, but saw this on StGeorgeUtah.com. Pass it on to the CC, FB, KSL, whatevs, if you wish.

Apparently 4 were rescued from the Black Hole over the weekend. Btw, this is NOT in St. George, but rather Lake Powell.



ST. GEORGE — Search and rescue crews spent the night on the edge of a cliff in San Juan County over the weekend in order to rescue four hikers Sunday morning who had become stuck in a maze of sculpted sandstone narrows. Officials continue to remind hikers to use caution when entering slot canyons during the rainy season.

After more than 20 hours, San Juan County Search and Rescue successfully rescued four people who were reportedly stuck in the Black Hole in the remote White Canyon, San Juan County Sheriff’s officials said in a statement Sunday night.

Once a hiker navigates a few drop offs in the Black Hole, officials said, it’s nearly impossible to turn back unless the hiker is a technical expert equipped with ropes and climbing gear
Rescue crews spent Saturday night on a ledge before rapelling down to the victims Sunday morning.

Rescuers hoisted two injured victims up a 600-yard canyon, according to the Sheriff’s Office, while additional rescue crews walked two other hikers out the bottom of the canyon.
While crews were reportedly exhausted by the end of the day, officials said it was another successful mission and thanked those involved for their hard work and dedication.

The Sheriff’s Office also reminds visitors to the area to use extra caution as flooding through the canyons is oftentimes unpredictable.

“Please use caution when entering slot canyons during the raining season,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “Look at weather reports, conditions and warnings. They can be very unpredictable and dangerous.”

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.



Full Article here, including Pictures of the rescue. https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2016/07/04/kss-crews-spend-night-on-cliff-ledge-to-rescue-4-hikers-from-black-hole/#.V3wJWv72amQ

[qedcook]

Any word on why? Was it inexperience, or newly reappeared log jams?

[Scott P]

Flash flood.

[jman]

Any word on why? Was it inexperience, or newly reappeared log jams?

From the pictures on StGeorgeUtah, it looks like it recently flashed. There is a LOT of mud in there.

Maybe they ran or escaped from the incoming flood and it became to muddy?
Or reached an area where they couldn't downclimb? IE the area before the Black Hole proper.

I'm hoping more info will be released.

[Scott P]

According to a FB post by one of the rescuers, they couldn't retreat back up canyon since it was flowing from a flash flood.

[Canyonbug]

The group failed to understand the canyon drainage, the weather forecast (or didn't check), and the dynamics of the Black Hole. One of the members had hiked it before and "Knew" the canyon. They entered the canyon with it already flowing and continued down until they came to the "Hole" where they lowered themselves into 3' deep foam on top of the water and then decided they wanted out. Only 2 could reverse the route and escape. They went for help after not being able to get the others up with a length of webbing. The rest of the group huddled on a ledge as it started raining again. They spend the night on that ledge.

They did have wetsuits, and some snacks and water. This shows a little initiative, better than what we have seen rescued out of there before.

The Monsoon season is not a great time to attempt long canyons with huge drainage's and lots of swimming.

No new log jams or any other obstacles have appeared in the canyon.

[ratagonia]

The group failed to understand the canyon drainage, the weather forecast (or didn't check), and the dynamics of the Black Hole. One of the members had hiked it before and "Knew" the canyon. They entered the canyon with it already flowing and continued down until they came to the "Hole" where they lowered themselves into 3' deep foam on top of the water and then decided they wanted out. Only 2 could reverse the route and escape. They went for help after not being able to get the others up with a length of webbing. The rest of the group huddled on a ledge as it started raining again. They spend the night on that ledge.

They did have wetsuits, and some snacks and water. This shows a little initiative, better than what we have seen rescued out of there before.

The Monsoon season is not a great time to attempt long canyons with huge drainage's and lots of swimming.

No new log jams or any other obstacles have appeared in the canyon.

Thanks Jared.

Tom

[jman]

The group failed to understand the canyon drainage, the weather forecast (or didn't check), and the dynamics of the Black Hole. One of the members had hiked it before and "Knew" the canyon. They entered the canyon with it already flowing and continued down until they came to the "Hole" where they lowered themselves into 3' deep foam on top of the water and then decided they wanted out. Only 2 could reverse the route and escape. They went for help after not being able to get the others up with a length of webbing. The rest of the group huddled on a ledge as it started raining again. They spend the night on that ledge.

They did have wetsuits, and some snacks and water. This shows a little initiative, better than what we have seen rescued out of there before.

The Monsoon season is not a great time to attempt long canyons with huge drainage's and lots of swimming.

No new log jams or any other obstacles have appeared in the canyon.

Jared, thanks for filling us in. :)




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Canyonero]

Glad it all ended well. Lots of lessons there.