Humperdinck, Death Valley 02/17/2014

[french_de]

TR Humperdinck, Death Valley 02/17/2014


Humperdinck, a Princess Bride Canyon in Death Valley is located in one of the more remote sections of Death Valley. It is a considerable drive from anywhere. We left our camp in Pahrump at 4:30am to be on the trailhead by 6:30am. The last six miles of the drive is out over a dirt road with a section that has some deep rutted sand. A 4x4 HCV is definitely recommended. The road is narrow making for turn around a little difficult and parking along the road is limited.
The route begins with a 2.35 mile walk across the Panamint playa skirting the edges of two alluvial fans extending down from the dolomite and limestone Cottonwood Mountains. From there it is an 800 foot climb up the dolomite ridge. Humperdinck is an easy drop in from there. From the top of the ridge the views are incredible, rivaling the views found elsewhere in the high mountains of Death Valley.
Humperdinck is fun... There are lots of down climbs, opportunities for meat anchoring with partner assists and many short rappels in the predominately limestone canyon. Its character is reminiscent of some Utah slot canyons....
The canyon pops out at the top of the alluvial fan’s drainage channel which forms a mini slot through cobblestone conglomerate. At first glance the walls look like hardened mud with stones that are ready to fall out. On closer examination the walls are as solid as concrete, the stones cemented tight. It is a surprising end to the canyon.


Thanks to BluuGnome for a great Beta Write up


Thanks to my canyoneering partners, sons Lorin and Justin, for a great time and pictures

More pictures at

https://picasaweb.google.com/1149702...Valley02172104