Cliffs Of Insanity - Death Valley 02/14/2016

[french_de]

Cliffs Of Insanity in the Princess Bride Range of the Cottonwood Mountains located in Death Valley NP

When I first read the beta for this canyon a couple of years ago I said to myself "one has to be slightly insane to consider this canyon" - it is aptly named with its webbing knot choke anchors, keeper potholes and big rappels in quick succession.

The princess Bride canyons are an intriguing lot, with a very different character in comparison to other Death Valley Canyons we have visited. After finishing the canyon "Inconceivable" last year with its amazing views, rappels and challenges, Cliffs of Insanity became an obsession with me. This last year I poured over the beta and Google Earthed the canyon on a regular basis. Mentioning the canyon to work colleagues, the response was "you are crazy, make sure you hire your replacement before you go".

It is a very fun and rewarding canyon. The knot choke anchors are mildly intimidating, the rappel past the keeper pothole is just enough of a challenge and length of the rappels increase heart and breath rates.

Justin did end up in the keeper pothole . It was more of his dare and to retrieve a dropped rope bag. We tossed him a rope from above to assist him in his climb out. Jeremy and Lorin deftly maneuvered around the thing.

We did replace most of the anchors including the primary and backup knot choke anchors above the keeper pothole rappel. That was good experience for us. The whole canyon was in great shape. It was perfect weather for February and the views were incredible as ever up there.

I would also like to add that having walkie-talkies (that work in canyons) is a game changer when dealing with the very large rappels. It makes rope pull coordination/communication between the bottom guys and the last man up top doing the test pull a breeze.

Not too crazy after all.

Thanks to my canyoneering partners Jeremy, Justin and Lorin for hauling the big ropes, taking great pictures and making it so much fun.


Thanks to Luke of BluuGnome for providing beta

AND

Thanks to Scott Swaney for finding, scoping a revealing this great canyon.

Doug French


More Pictures can be viewed here:


https://picasaweb.google.com/1149702...sanity02142016


Here are some of my favorite photos from the day: