2011.10.22 - Keyhole & Pine Creek Canyon

[maarten.1975]

And so it began. October 22nd 2011, my very first day of technical canyoneering, after the course at ZAC. I was invited by Andy via Bogley, which I am still very thankfull for. The day started out relaxed, I met Andy and Bonnie at the parking of Zion near the visitors centre where Lea, Jeff and Kyle joined us some time later. After a relaxing start and meeting one another, we got all our stuff and went for Keyhole Canyon. We had the convenience/ luxury of 3 cars, so we could park where needed. I was happy with my oversized rental car, because we could easily fit in 6 people.

After the short hike up we finished our suits and equipment and went into the canyon. I had learnt well at the course at ZAC, and with the guidance I had in the group the needed techniques were easy. I was able to also enjoy the area I was in. Wow, such a different world, such a beautiful world. I felt so happy to be able to be in there. Trying to enjoy the beauty and being of the canyon as much as possible.
A short but beautiful canyon, that ended to quickly...

Luckily Pine Creek was next on the list. After we drove to another parking we had a quick snack under the bridge and continued into Pine Creek. Which had a kind of traffic jam... There was a line-up of people it appeared, one group still waiting in front of us. And there, we met a man in a pair of shorts that was way to short to be comfortable... comfortable for us to look at I mean... hahaha. It was funny. This group decided not to go into the canyon though, which gave us an almost free canyon ahead of us, as long as we didn´t catch up with the group in front of us.

After the initial rappels, the canyon kept getting more beautiful. The water was cold, but my wetsuit did its job. The cathedral was the next awesome area. The canyon kept surprising me, as they always appear to do. Also the ´little´ rock stuck between the walls caught my attention. Must have been a nice ´kaboom´ when it fell. I just loved being in the canyon.

Getting to the end of Pine Creek, some nice rappels came in sight. We had to wait there quite/ too long though, because we catched up with some other groups. The final rappel did give me a short ´oops´ though. A 'free-hanging' rappel, without the feeling of a wall beneath my feet, challenged me mentally for a short time. It went without trouble though, once I was hanging. It was an great experience.

A final hike towards the car, which was also beautiful and fun, followed by an invitation to join in on a BBQ. What more could I wish for. We had a great evening as well, making this day one of the best of my holiday. I'm jealous at you people, living nearby Zion.

Oke, below some pictures.... which I bet most of you (canyoneers) will recognise from when you did these canyons yourself. Such beauty in this canyon, hidden for the lucky people being able to enjoy it! I´m glad and thankfull I could! And I´ll be back for more (and for the same as well)!

Thanks to Andy, Bonnie, Kyle, Jef and Lea!
Grtz from the Netherlands,

Maarten

(The orange helmet = me :-) )

[moab mark]

Nice, looks like you had a great trip.

Mark

[Felicia]

It sounds like you had a great trip. There is so much to see in Zion and beyond - you will be back!

[jman]

That was a fun TR to read! Thanks for posting it! Glad you had a great trip

[Scott Card]

Nice TR. That 7th photo (in Pine Creek) is particularly cool. That particular angle was interesting.

[Brian in SLC]

Fantastic!

[Michael_WB]

Maarten,

Great photos... though not good for my bank balance, as it makes me check Geneva-Vegas flight prices too regularly. During my September trip, after the ZAC course, I descended Keyhole and Pine Creek twice each and topped it off with an incredible trip down Mystery. Far from satisfying my Zion canyon appetite, it has merely whetted it for all the others there!

So when are *you* going again?

Michael.

[Iceaxe]

Netherlands, Switzerland, California and Happy Valley (Provo, UT).... this is truly the international thread.

[Scott Card]

Thank you for clarifying "Happy Valley" as the other "Happy Valley" - Penn State ain't so happy.

[Cirrus2000]

Nice, Maarten - glad you had a good time! Both lovely canyons!