Purgatory Canyon Exploratory

[imike]

Continuing this fall's series of Canyon and Ridge hikes here in the Alamogordo area... this drainage off of Alamo Canyon is likely rough, closed in and hopefully, interesting. This is not a beginner's hike: is mostly off trail, may include some very rough, prickly and scrubby scramblings. Email me at 301chipmunk@gmail.com if you'd like to make this outing, or any of the continuing weekly canyon explorations.

Leaving at 6:30am (?) from the Alamo Canyon trailhead, Friday 8th of October

[Vaporman]

How many rappels? ;)

[imike]

How many rappels? ;)

Well, if it holds true to what is common out here, if you limited yourself to just walking on your knees, you could create a number of possible raps... then again...

normally, the pattern is a series of 12-20' dry falls, with a few of the canyons having larger drops. I hike them from the bottom up, and since I'm solo, most of the climbable falls I usually scramble around on the sides, unless they're narrow chutes with no chance for mistakes. I have been looping out, not going back down the canyons... so, I have not been carrying rope except to lower my pack on a light weight line.

These are not the great environs you're vesting your time in... but, they are nice full body play hikes... notches above trail hiking, but well below the pool/drop series you enjoy. Nice thing is that I have 15-20 of these within walking distance of my house!

[azbackpackr]

Nice!