For some time now I have been waiting to go canyoneering. I joined a group last year called "the brethren" but until now I have been unable to go on any trips. Last Saturday, there was a trip planned, and Guthrie and I joined them for a great day in arches.
The first route we did is called "lomation" and is located in the fiery furnace. Not many do this route unless guided professionally with a Moab guide, because it is like memorizing a maze. Lucky for us Steve, my friend who took us (and co-founder of the brethren) knows his way around inside there.
It was absolutely amazing. Imagine exploring and climbing around on rocks, fins, washes and then rappelling down into slot canyons. It was even better because the weather forecast, which was wrong, turned many tourists away from arches so it was in a large part empty.
We first made our way to the top of the fins, then rappelled back down into the canyons.
The first rappel in Lomation is done by slinging off an arch, cliff arch to be exact.
Robert on the first rappel in Lomation
Guthrie doing the second rappel in Lomation.
Heading down to skull arch then up to the Krill route.
This is the same shot as the previous picture, only from the side.
This is the guy who kept us all safe.
The rappel in Krill canyon into the "belly of the whale".
Me rappelling into "Belly of the whale".
Upon completing Krill, we headed to park avenue and did Tier drop. A steep climb, easy route finding and then three rappels, each increasing in size.
The last rappel on tier drop. Park avenue is in the background.
Well another sport to which I am addicted. Canyoneering is amazing, there is no other way to describe it. I love mountain biking because of the scenery, the speed and the adventure, along with the physical workout I get. Canyoneering is just as fun with it's exploring, challenges of route finding or getting up, over or through something coupled with the adrenaline that comes with rappelling. Now guess what Esther wants for her Birthday in June; a harness so she can go...
After completing the three routes, Guthrie and I rode Deadmans Ridge (Part of the Moab Brand trails), a new trail in Moab, on the way out. (What Moab trip could be complete without some biking?) It was only about six miles total so no big deal.
There will be more stories to come I'm sure. We are doing another canyon in May and at least one in June. Not to mention, kayaking the Little San Rafael in May and a bike trip I'm sure.
Man what a state we live in...
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