Canyoneering (Kloofing) In Kolob Canyon, Zion National Park, UT

The Burgemeester of South African Kloofing was in town, and we ran through Pine Creek and Fiddle Me This, and were looking for a Big Finish. At various times, I had sent friends from the USA to join Teuns for some canyons over there, and we were glad to finally see him here in our Zion; now it was time to host him and, of course, a trip through Imlay would be perfect! Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating, and we backed off to Kolob. Clear weather in the morning would let us get through the technical part; and we might have some rain in the lower canyon and on the MIA exit. Such would prove the case.

Out team consisted of Teuns and myself, plus Kat Power from ZAC who had visited Teuns TWICE, including last winter/summer with Amanda, a fellow ZACer. Add my niece Rylin who had visited Teuns the year before and her brand new hubby Eric and we were set to go! An earlyish start us got us on the trail at 7:30 am. Hiked down through the woods, wet with the rainshowers overnight. To the first rappel.

This time, we took the down the way rap into the Alcove. There was about 0.1 cfs flow into the canyon, so no real reason to rap at the non-existent entry waterfall. Down we went and... it was great fun. Some nice pools of cleanish water allowed a few slides and very small jumps. Sunshine warmed us up after the few swims. The teamwork flowed easily.

Soon it was we found the final rappel, did some side-by-sides for photos, packed the ropes and started hiking. The canyon bottom was nicely jungled up, what with not much of a winter and a warm spring. Conditions allowed us to keep the wetsuits on, top-down; which helped when we got to the rappel-or-jumps near the intersection with Oak Creek. We pulled the tops up and enjoyed the cooling cold water. A long hike out it is, to the MIA exit. It started raining about a half hour short of the exit. We toughed it out up the MIA, mostly wearing t-shirts and shorts, the rain keeping us cool. Perhaps the physically easiest MIA I've ever done, perhaps the first MIA I have never overheated on. Not like it was really fun.

Walking the roads, near the top the rain stopped but the mud on the road was an inch or two of glop. Made it to the new Taco, turned the dial to 4WD and had no trouble getting out of there... to some yummy food back in town. Awesome!