Order Confirmed

Reports surfaced of two new bolts in Zion’s Pine Creek, and it sounded like the first one was definitely superfluous. The second – to be determined.

I first went in with a friend in October but did not have the correct size socket, and the dainty little adjustable wrench I brought lacked the heft to get the dang thing spinning.

But where, you might ask, was this new bolt in Pine Creek, an already well-bolted canyon traversed by thousands of people every year (without it)? It is for what is now the fourth rappel, the 6 foot rap off a jammed stump into the pool just before the Cathedral rappel. The jammed stump is still there, solid as ever. Hard to say why anyone would go to the effort of putting a bolt in here – if you know, let me know!

Spry is one of my favoritest canyons -- a lot of interesting terrain, good views, not too easy, not too serious. A good place to take foreign visitors as it is quite unlike European canyons.

I was anxious to see what had changed by the week of rain we had before. Spry is more-changeable than other Zion canyons; several pools come and go as the sand goes and comes. (And always too soon!)

Some great folks signed up for the trip - Rebecca, Sandy, Amy and Keith -- so I knew it was gonna be a super-fun trip! Got a fairly early start and headed on up the hill!

Having done Spry about 30 times, and being old and weak, I fantasize that I have worked out the easiest route for the ascent and descent. Or at least the one I like the most. On this trip it was noted that my route uses six trees as landmarks! Pictures here being tree #1 and tree #2. "Handy root tree" being numero three...

We are seeking a person to fulfill the Production Assistant role at our office in Kanab, Utah.

JOB DESCRIPTION -- PART TIME - 10-15-20 hours per week

The Production Assistant will perform these roles:

A. Measure, spool up, cut ropes at various lengths, finish the ends, tag and bag.

B. Prepare parts for production: hot cut straps, collect buckles, cut fabric pieces, collect parts according to the cutting sheets and organize these to go out to our home-based stitchers….

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A beginner proposed a list of gear they NEEDED to get. Here is my response to the first half. VERY opinionated Am I. —— I love your enthusiasm, and welcome to the obsession - but...

Slow down sailor! (I am prone to hyperbole:) It is like you are all gung ho to go help the Ukrainians, and have rounded up a musket, a cavalry saber and a spear, plus a drone you bought from Temu...

First off, Climbing and Canyoneering are very different sports. Climbers think there is an 80% crossover in technique and gear; Canyoneers have learned there is a 20% crossover. It's like Tennis vs. Ping Pong. - but at least that has Pickle Ball halfway in-between.

So, don't mix the two. Your proposed gear list says 'gear need for climbing and canyoneering'. Climbers in general know nothing about canyoneering. Canyoneers definitely know nothing about climbing. (exception: some people do both, know both.)

Several years ago, I surveyed canyoneers I know who had done quite a few canyons in Zion, to build a star rating for all these canyons. Some of the canyons are obscure, and had only a few people had done them. Some of them were ultra-popular. I did put a little finger on the scale by counting my opinion twice, but otherwise, this was ‘fair’.

I could do a survey now, and it would come out different. The world has moved on, the canyoneering populace is quite different than it was 15 years ago. Is this a historical artifact? I would not go that far — I think it better represents the quality of the array of Zion canyons than a current survey would. Or maybe I am just grumpy!