Arachnophobia, Northern Black mountains, Zabriskie Point area, Death Valley02/18/2018

[french_de]

Of the three Zabriskie Point Arachnid Canyons which include Vinegaroon and Scorpion,
I think Arachnophobia has a little more meat under the exoskeleton, as they say.

It is a little more challenging especially up top where there is very little anchor material to work with
and the rock is more crumbly and loose. We nicknamed the area "Cliffs of Insecurity"

We farmed some larger rocks from above and built a deadman/rock cairn anchor for the 170 foot free hang rappel. Our anchor,
further up canyon than the original, gave us a better start and a very easy pull. That put the rope length required a little over 200 feet.
We did use our 300 foot rope and a three hundred foot pull cord. Running the pull cord as far down canyon made the pull go like butter.

All three arachnid canyons share the same inital climb up with the amazing early morning background views.

We dropped an exit vehicle at the Desolation Parking head and used the 20 Mule team road to access the ascent.

We up hiked the wash opposite the Vinegaroon upclimb to get to the Arachnophobia valley.
There is some scrambling required at the top of that wash before dropping into Arachnophobia valley

The rock gets more solid towards the end of the canyon and drops into the scenic Desolation canyon.
The scenery is amazing all the way through the canyon.

Thank You to my Canyoneering partners Jessica, Carl, Jeremy, Justin and Lorin for great company and great pictures

My Flickr Pictures
https://www.flickr.com/photos/french_de/albums/72157692016213171

My favorite pictures

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[Sombeech]

Great report, just curious, what was the temperature there this time of year?

[french_de]

Great report, just curious, what was the temperature there this time of year?

Average temps this time of year in DV are usually in the mid 70's. The last couple of years have really been off average. High Sixty's for the days we were there. There had been a heat wave going the week before we got there - High 80's
For us, it was very pleasant!

[twotimer]

Now that's what you call a dayhike! Those views are stunning. I've only been in that park twice, and didn't do much hiking...but now I'm determined to spend a week or so there exploring. Nice pictures!

Those views remind me of my trip to Big Bend Nat. Park last January. Pretty epic down there, too. I was quite pleased with the 10 days I spent there.

[french_de]

Now that's what you call a dayhike! Those views are stunning. I've only been in that park twice, and didn't do much hiking...but now I'm determined to spend a week or so there exploring. Nice pictures!

Those views remind me of my trip to Big Bend Nat. Park last January. Pretty epic down there, too. I was quite pleased with the 10 days I spent there.

Big Bend is on my list, never been there. The Epic Views in DV are one of the things that draw me back there. Every canyon that I have done has one and
there are so many canyons out there! Scott Swaney has pioneered/documented over 300 canyons in DV.