Right Fork (East) Leprechaun Canyon, Memorial Day 2012

[Sandstone Addiction]

It had been a few weeks since we did U-Turn and knew it was time to try our luck at a real slot canyon. Leprechaun Canyon was highly recommended and so we decided that would be the one. After reading and watching the result of navigational errors, we carefully plotted the waypoints on the Map60csx so we wouldn't be the next epic story.

We left Salem around 6:30am and enjoyed a beautiful drive across the desert in the morning light. We arrived at the mouth of Leprechaun at about 10:30am. Not quite as early as I'd planned, but still early enough.

We had a early lunch and were on our way towards Santhrax Campground and our approach hike.




Brandon (9) in the optional micro slot at the head of Right Fork.




Justin (11) rappelling into the canyon.




Trevor (5) having a great time.




We decided to rap the next one too. We're still working on our downclimbing skills!




Nancy, my wife, and Trevor tandem rapping.



My brother-in-law, Doug (sporting his brand new BD helmet, BTW) enjoying the narrow slot.




If you look close, Justin has stacked ATC's on double strand. Let's just say that he had pa-lenty of friction. But that was what he felt comfortable with and so that is how he did it.




Brandon having a great time as well.




Doug enjoying a beautiful section of slot.











Yea, you're right, Trevor has his helmet on backwards




Me, hoping it doesn't get much tighter than that...





A little reprieve.





More of the good stuff.





A few shallow pot holes to play in.




After a brief open section the canyon soon slots up again for the final tight section.











Nancy and her brother enjoying a convoluted section.





Very beautiful, the canyon is too.




Another mild Mae West section. Kids just cruise through.




Checking the anchor for the last rap. Webbing was in decent shape, but someone had set it up with a rolled aluminum ring that was starting to show significant wear. So we added one of CAMP's finest quick links and felt that it was now safe. As a matter of fact, the three previous rap stations were set up this way too, but the rings didn't look worn--shoulda added a quick link on them as well...








Being noobs and all, we didn't realize that this last drop was a fairly easy downclimb, so we rapped it.

Brandon dropping into the deep dark bottom of Leprechaun.





(side note: by this time, Justin had decided that stacked ATC's might be a bit too slow and successfully rapped the last rap comfortably with only one)



Shoulda lowered Trevor. Tandem rapping became problematic as the walls curved around and tried to pin him against the wall with my runner. Was never a dangerous situation, only a bit uncomfortable.



Just past the problem spot.




Took a peek up Belfast Blvd. Very dark, very narrow and very awesome.




The kids went up a little ways.




Doug giving it a shot.




Amazing canyon.



Have no idea how this attached image below got here or how to remove it...

[Byron]

Nice!!! You're kids are badass. You gotta move 'em up to Pine Creek. They'll freak out on that last rap. You can always belay them from the top...I'd like to see those pictures!

[TommyBoy]

Start em young thats the best way .

[New Mexico]

Having your kids with you is priceless and its something they will remeber forever. Nice trip report and pictures.

[oldno7]

Well done SA

[Slot Machine]

Nice!! Good to see the little ones getting after it! Having your helmet on backwards is better than no helmet at all.