No Smurfs -- Pandora's Box Inquiry

[flowncheddar]

Just looking to hear from some gravity challenged heavier canyoneers.

I'm no smurf sized canyoneer, more of a barrel chested muffin. Alcatraz has been the tightest slot to date. The crux was a beast, but I was able to get up and over and through.

5'10 and rolling 215. Chest is about 45".

I've been rolling canyons since 09, but the tight ones are just that...tight. I have to work harder than others.

Are there any big dudes or gals, that have done Pandora's, and what were your stats, or takeaway please?

Thanks

Cheddar

[Iceaxe]

I guess no one has a great answer for you. I'm a little smaller than you and I had to work to get through. At the time I was approximately 6', 190#, 43" chest. I do know guys a little bigger than me have went through. This canyon is NOT like Alcatraz where you can always go higher to defeat the squeeze, sometimes in Pandora's you just have to squeeze through.

[ratagonia]

We've had some pretty big folks in Pandora's. It is definitely a disadvantage, but doable.

But... Pandora's is more of a moderate-temperatures canyon. We generally have done it in October-november or march-April. Not so fun in the current scorching hot temps, even with an early start and carrying tons of water. Pandor's has a lot of sports-action, and doing all that hard work at these temps makes it even harder. And you will need to wear pads in there, so it is hard to moderate the temps.

Tom

[flowncheddar]

I appreciate the take aways and the insight. These forums are great and I thank both of you for watching out for me and most all of us on these forums.