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| Canyoneering | 13.60 Miles |
5,050 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 13.60 Miles | 9 Hrs 40 Mns | | 1.41 mph |
| 5,050 ft AEG | | | | |
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| | Intermediate Canyoneering - Difficult or dangerous; Tech Climb; rope reqd; descent anchor; exit technical; | | B - Up to light current; wading/swimming; possible wet/dry suit | | IV - Long, full day, bivy possible |
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| partners | | 5 of us meet up at Le Buzz at 5:00 AM. We dropped a car at Prison Camp and then proceeded up to The Palisades Trailhead. There was a chill in the air as we started to hike at 6 AM. We were treated to the sunrise colors upon Cathedral Peak as we hiked.
The catchment at Mud Springs was dry but there was a light flow of water directly into the drainage.
As we dropped into Palisades canyon, we could see that there really wasn’t much of a flow. The water levels were probably the lowest Joel and I had seen based on our previous trips. This did make for an easier trip down the canyon (mind you that is relative).
We came prepared with four 200 ft ropes and all the related gear. Having four ropes meant that at one time we were working on 2-3 rappels at a time. More efficient but less time for pictures, snacks, etc. We worked on setting the rope length for each rappel to help make sure we had plenty of rope for contingency and for the pull side. Each time we threw out the metered rope and left the bag on top. The negative behind tossing the rope without the bag on the two stage rappels where the rope can get mangled up. And so of course they did. We had to stop midway to do some rope management. Might need to rethink that. We used whistles communicate off rappel and to set the rope length. We also did some logistics that the guys had learned from their European trips. Whomever rigged the rope stays with the rope and rappels last. They would be responsible for lowering anyone needing it, adjusting the rope to decrease and damage, etc. then the last couple people would pull the rope and stuff. That made it so that tasks were better shared and everyone who knew how to rig were able to take turns.
I was excited to find that even with less water, many of the rappels were still fun slides (still too slippery to stay on your feet - so way more fun to just slide on one’s hip).
The firehouse was a disappointing stream but still recognizable. The little tree in the pothole next to the firehouse is getting a bit bigger. And the big round pool was still amazing and placid. If only I could stay there for more than a few minutes.
We did almost stick a rope - probably due to the end of the rope twisting around the anchor. Stacie climbed up above the next set of anchors to pull at a better angle and that helped free it.
The cactus under the chockstone of the last rappel is still hanging on by a root. I always enjoy coming over that lip and having the cactus come swinging into view (of course it’s me swinging).
At the bottom of the last rappel we fueled up and topped off our water. Then we proceeded to hike out mostly following the water course since the levels were down. The rock hop was fun.
We got to the trail and I was disoriented. Nothing look right, my internal compass had rotated. Luckily everyone was to able convince me of the right direction to hike based on the Box Camp trail sign.
Garrison and I hiked out a bit faster so we completed the car shuttle. It was nice to complete the trip in daylight!
The only problem with having so many ropes is that it’s impossible to pass a rope to someone else for the hike out! So four of us had heavy loads for hiking in the heat of the day. That contributed to us exiting a bit slower than normal.
Fun day, hope the next time we go the firehose is blasting again! |
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