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To anyone who has been there *recently*,

Is there a knotted hand line at the short rappel above Toltec Beach? I ask, because I'm leading an out-and-back trek to Royal Arch, and I'd like to throw in a day hike to Elves Chasm before we retrace out steps from the Arch to the South Bass trailhead. Of course, that entails climbing back *up* the wall on the return hike from the river. The group has a disparate level of climbing skill, and I'm hoping a knotted hand line combined with top rope protection will suffice to get everyone safely back up the wall. Bringing ascenders, fooling with prusiks, etc. seems unnecessary and ill advised with this group. We'll have lightweight harnesses and some tasty Canyon Fire 8.3 rope for the rappeling and top rope action.

So...

1. Does anyone know if the hand line is still there?
2. Has anyone actually done this?

Thanks in advance!

RC

PS: Worst case scenario is we don't bring extra rope, the hand line is gone, and we don't get to see Elves Chasm. Not too big of a deal, really. Just a great reason to visit this spectacular part of GCNP again!

Are you intending to come down the S. Bass trail and out the R.A. drainage, returning to S.B. T/H, or?
Having been a few times, there has always been a rope at the climb, if not two or three. I prefer to come down as that allows you to inspect the anchor and rope/webbing condition. Otherwise you are hanging on faith. OR..If traveling UP, if you are comfortable with exposure, it is a simple up-climb, no rope needed, so if you are you could shoot up and look.
I am headed out there this W/E for a week - I can report back.

@Zort There were 2 ropes there on 2/23/18.

@hikeaz -- Thanks for the quick reply (and sorry for not being clear on direction of travel). We're hiking as if doing the full clockwise RA loop hike, but we're just going to hike to the Arch and then back out - with aforementioned potential side trip to Elves. So, we'll be rapping down that wall with full view and knowledge of what kind of rats nest is up at the anchor. BTW, our trek starts Saturday morning, so it sounds like we might see you there.

@Dave1 -- Thank you!

@Zort
We're a day or two behind you and are C/W as well. For fun you could freak out the participants and have them look over the edge just past the arch and tell them 'THAT is the shortcut to Elves'.
Travel safely!

@hikeaz -- LOL - yeah, I've ogled that drop, and I hope to take the canyoneering route to Elves one day, ideally as part of a repeat of the Pt. Huitzil Route. Sounds like we'll probably cross paths on Monday. It would be great to meet you! Safe travels to you as well.

hikeaz wrote:THAT is the shortcut to Elves

That IS the shortcut to Elves!
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