A New adventure sport... lomation, Krill, Tier drop

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...

Back Country Snowbaording - Options

In an effort to add more adventure to our snowshoeing trips, we now backcountry snowboard. The idea originally started when we went up past Scofield reservoir near Electric Lake to get Christmas trees. I noticed there were many slopes that would be prime snowboarding or skiing spots, so the tradition began. On different weekends we drive up, scout out a new spot, snow shoe up and the board down. As I had never snow boarded before some of the descents are a little rough, but still so enjoyable.

This time we brought tiny. He loved it until his snowboard broke.

Looking down on Options. We named it "Options" because once you get to the top there are so many different lines to ride, thus Options. The top is very steep, but it mellows out toward the bottom. By-the-way, the guy on the left is not me, just some bum we found up there. The one on the right is "Tiny".

Guthrie heading down.

I may look like I am trying to spray Guthrie with snow, on the contrary, I was trying not to kill him.

Again Guthrie, notice the perfect form.

This is me, half out-of-control but somehow still able to get down the mountain with few falls.

Since we began doing this instead of biking, winter has become very enjoyable again. This day we did the loop 5 times. Snowboard down, snowshoe up, rest for a minute (or two) snowboard down. Repeat 5 times.

Love it!!