Tommy's Zion Summercamp September 2003, page 2

Then it was off to the Right Fork for a couple of days. After anxiously waiting for a permit (for this extremely crowded canyon), we drove up to Lava and hit the West Rim Trail a bit later than desirable.

Left Fork from the West Rim. Photo: Paul Neiman.

Brushwhacking along the West Rim. Photo: Paul Neiman.

First Rap. Photo: Paul Neiman.

THE PLAN: Get an early start in the Right Fork. The "A Team": Rick Thompson, and Stephanie and Todd Martin; and the "B Team", Tom and the two green-beans from Colorado, Paul and Steve; would drop off the West Rim and do the Right Fork. I would take the B Team over the regular route, while the A Team would go through the infamous pothole section. We would meet up at the Alcove to bivy.

An easy walk, then a tough bushwhack put us at the head of the canyon, standing around in the full sun. This is the emperor looking hot and bothered.

Down the canyon. Photo: Todd Martin

Down the canyon walks Steph. Photo: TM

Down the canyon walks Tom. Photo: TM

So we do the raps, and the day bleeds away. We do a little leap-frogging, but it does not help much. The group is too big, and the green-beans with big packs try hard, but are slow. Eventually, we get to the Right Fork itself and head downcanyon. Soon we are at the split, where the Normal Route splits off and climbs the hill to avoid the potholes.

It is 4 pm, kinda late. I tell the A Team - hey, no problem, 3 hours, 4 tops. They buy it. The Lads from Colorado and I charge up the hillside, then follow the ridge and drop into the lovely little slickrock valley. We make pretty good time, and inch our way down the Golden Staircase and back into the Right Fork. Are they ahead or behind?

We see signs of recent passage as we start down the Right. A pool shows up, and we don our wetsuits. Through some pools, and over some rocks. We work our way downcanyon. The famous Black Pool is low on water, and the swim is short. The slot rappel to floating disconnect is a little muddy on the bottom. Water levels are surprisingly low, considering how hard Zion got slammed last week. I think of the potholes - could be hard if the water is low - but the A Team is ahead of us, right?

The day, now evening, wears on. I'm tired and want to get to camp, but I had forgotten how greuling the Right Fork is. We work over boulders and around pools as the light fades. The boys from CO are strong, but it has been a long day. At a short rappel, I snap, then catch myself. OK, slow down. More important to get there in one piece.

The light fades more as we get to a short dryfall. We dash up around the side - hmmm, no obvious anchor. I climb down and across a dicey traverse - too hard. Paul and Steve have the rope, and set a rappel off a tree as the last light fades. Switch to headlamps.

The going was slow in the light, it gets slower in the dark. My poor memory helps a little bit. We plod on. The Alcove must be right around the corner... But its not. We discuss bivying, but the potholes look too scuzzy to pump. Finally, I hear water flowing. I look forward to the warm glow of the stove going, our friends cooking dinner, friendly conversation. We turn the corner and there's the alcove - empty.

I'm spooked. Why aren't they here? Didn't I see signs of them? Are they OK?

We're tired. We pump some water, cook dinner and set up for the night. We discuss options. Am I worried? Nah - they'll be OK, they're the A Team.

We turn out the lights and snuggle down for the night. It's bad. The potholes were full last time, and it was easy. What did they find in there? I had really played down the difficulties - what did they find? Not much I can do for rescue, being with a bum knee and 3 rappels between me and them. If they die, I have to give up canyoneering forever. What if one of them dies?

Paul and Steve at the bivy