FreezeFest V - Wet Day Harvey - Dec 31, 2006 - 2
Ram:The marks on the walls show that the canyon did not flow higher than
the pools that exist, and the water has stayed where harder rock coats
the canyon bottom. Not a rowdy flow, by any means. I hold onto the
idea that maybe it flowed only in the upper canyon and it will run
out of energy, this flood. The lower canyon "might" be dry or drier.
But often, the lower in the canyon, the wetter. We come to an opening,
with the signature feature of the canyon. Cross joints. Cross joints
that may offer escape. Tom and I eye each other. One of the last
chances to bail out. We wrestle with it. We decide that discomfort is
a distinct possibility, but hypothermia....may not be. We roll the
dice and commit the group. What faith they show in us. I hope that the
faith is not undermined by what lay ahead.
The first rap comes. Through a cave, down a slot, into a pothole and a
tough climb out at 90 degrees right. The difficulties are coming one
after the other and this is good. Initially, everyone trying to stay
dry had us moving slowly. With partner assist, difficult terrain seems
to get folks focused and we start to move with more verve.... The
canyon jogs left and right, in and out of cross joints. When the
canyon does a right turn, one is in for challenges. Some stem high,
others crawl low and squeeze. Soon a pothole gets us wet up to our
waist. Hope there aren't any more of those...or worse! The deepest
potential holes await. But we remain warm, as the canyon is protected
from the wind and we are working hard. More right turns dealt with.
Another rappel. Old anchor material replaced. Suddenly we come to the
potential deep hole......and it is dry. In fact, we have seen less and
less water. A small flood from 3 days past, flowed, then ran out of
energy and the waters sunk into the sands. We gambled and got lucky.
 |
|
In the slot, doing the squeezing thing.
|
|
Another tricky corner, the one I consider the hardest, is passed, with
a pair of shoulders provided as foot holds. The very lovely lower
canyon is passed with a handline and some partner assist again. The
final rap and we start the hike down to the exit. We find some sun. It
does not carry any punch. Hike. The exit route is a lovely affair.
Following a series of domes that form a weaving ridge line, it offers
expansive views of Lake Powell and other treats from the Waterpocket
Fold to Mancos Mesa. A bit of trundle at a 400 foot cliff and the
challenge of the final capstone moves, up into the flat desert. Right
as we stride to the cars, the sun sets. Part of the drive will be out
in the dark. Back to the spotted cars and back into camp and dinner.
See Stefanos...we didn't need a wetsuit!! Whew!! The fire blazing and
awaiting us back at camp. Many will stay up past 2 AM. High spirits
and good cheer abound. I give up the Ghost at 1:45 AM. Happy New Year
everyone!!. My fifth straight, in North Wash. How silly is that? The
start of the Black Hole Hike is only 8.5 hours away.
Ram
On to New Year's Eve!
|
