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Dec 30 2012
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 Guides 1
 Routes 3
 Photos 337
 Triplogs 311

41 male
 Joined May 31 2009
 
Dam CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Dec 30 2012
azflyguyTriplogs 311
Canyoneering1.00 Miles 500 AEG
Canyoneering1.00 Miles   7 Hrs      0.14 mph
500 ft AEG
Intermediate Canyoneering - Difficult or dangerous; Tech Climb; rope reqd; descent anchor; exit technical;
A - Dry or little water; shallow or avoidable water; no wet/dry suit
II - Normally requires a half day
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Super fun checking out this exploratory canyon. Been on the list for awhile. Found a nice spot to launch with a one mile packraft that avoided the busy area of the lake. Not a lot of options to get out near the "dam ahead" barrier. I ended up accidently brushing my packraft into a cacti getting out :scared: . Decided to fully deflate and stash to deal with it later. I did have several patches and UV aquaseal so I was not too worried. With no beta other than Google Earth and topo we scouted out the last rappel. Found a couple game trails and lot's of jackrabbit droppings climbing up on the east side of the canyon. After dropping in at 2,000' to scout out the canyon we decided the east finger at 2,200' looked the most exciting. Two rappels down to the main drainage and one gnarly bushwhack.

Pleasantly surprised to not find any anchors or signs of human presence. We built 5 natural anchors in the main section of the canyon. Although I down climbed one of them. Claiming this as a first descent as ghosting would have been next to impossible for a couple of the rappels. Unless someone was very creative and did not rappel then scrambled back out.
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Canyoneering gear beta tester and supplier. Visit http://www.shadowcatadventures.com for canyoneering, climbing, hiking and backpacking gear.
 
Dec 30 2012
avatar

 Photos 377
 Triplogs 579

female
 Joined Jun 19 2009
 AZ
Dam CanyonPhoenix, AZ
Phoenix, AZ
Canyoneering avatar Dec 30 2012
oceanwithinTriplogs 579
Canyoneering1.00 Miles 500 AEG
Canyoneering1.00 Miles
500 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
First descent through a canyon... incredible! Looking around between rappels wondering if anyone else has ever passed through there before was pretty awesome. Seven rappels, all natural anchors, with a pack-raft required to get to/from the parking area. Lots of discussion about what to name the canyon... settled on Dam for obvious reasons. The highlight was rappelling off of the deadman anchor built on a boulder sunk in a pothole full of water. Also participated in the scouting trip a few weekends prior via boat to check out the approach.

It's also kinda fun to see other groups posting pics of their descents of this canyon after we went through. :)
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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