Help a beginner debrief Egypt 3 turnaround

[johnbrown]

Hi folks, new to this forum. I'm also new to slot canyoneering, but generally experienced in wilderness travel, including off trail desert travel. Looking for some insight after a recent trip down Egypt 3 in Escalante.

Went down with another new to canyoneering buddy a couple days ago.

We did fine getting in to the canyon and into the first sections and were having a great time. Passed the first wide exit (side canyon coming in from left, looking down canyon), passed the second not as wide exit (on left), and then were in the narrows that have the small pebbles/bits of rock embedded in the sandstone.

At some point in that narrows I just couldn't squeeze through any further. I'm 5-8, 194 lbs, so not skinny but not huge by any means. It felt like my chest was getting compressed, and I was worried that if I forced my way in deeper, I might have a hard time getting out.

So, we bailed, went back up canyon to the wider exit and hiked out.

I was pleased that our first foray ended safely, and we loved what we saw. Of course, I wanted to get to the end of the non-technical section though. We had spoken to two people in the last two days who were my size or bigger who said they had made it through. And two slightly slimmer guys ahead of us made it through. So, if I had had more confidence, could I have forced my way through? Or should I have tried to go up and over the squeeze? (I didn't see a great way to do this at the time).

Hoping that someone with specific experience in Egypt 3 might share how they get through that spot. General guidance on whether it's possible to wedge yourself in to where you can't wedge back out might be useful too, although I suspect it's context specific.

Note that I'm not talking about the technical section at end (rappel off natural bridges, or so I'm told by the guidebook and a couple other folks we ran into).

Many thanks!

[Scott Card]

If what you are describing is what I am remembering, we had a couple of larger fellas exit left (ldc) and go up, over, around and enter back in the canyon after that section. That knobby section isn't very long if memory serves me correctly. It's been a while since I was last there so I may be not be remembering correctly.

[ratagonia]

Go UP young man!

When it gets too small, you have to go up. Tends to be harder.

Tom

[stanwagon]

Yes, sometimes you have to go up. Brimstone is famous as there you have to go up a huge amount (I have not had the nerve). And I am just back from one that required staying high, but a modest 5 feet or so above the ground with good foot placements, so it was not scary. I will post that TR shortly.

That said, I have done Egypt 3 once and one member of our party reversed and exited as you did. So I am guessing that is common. He was a bit larger than you.

[AllanLisa]

I know a lot about canyoneering, and I understand how interesting it is. It's fantastic that you did such a job. Recently I was able to give a tour of Neuschwanstein, and it was just unreal cool. It is a pity that it is only possible as a 30-minute tour. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket center Hohenschwangau. Schloss Neuschwanstein is open to visitors almost all year round. In addition, I would advise you to visit the neighboring castle Hohenschwangau and the Museum of the Bavarian Kings on the banks of the Alpsee, where you can get a lot of background information on Ludwig II and his castles in an innovative and luxurious setting.

[lokkenika]

I'm worried about you. Please be careful. My brother has been mountain climbing and canyoning since he was 16, so I saw a lot of his falls and injuries. I worry that he will break some limb and will not be able to walk one day. He recently surprised me with his offer. He texted me saying that in a week, we were going to www.losaltosresort.com, where he intended to show me how animals live in the wild. I think this is a strange desire for such an extreme as he is. I'm already counting down the days until this trip!