Archive for October, 2009

North Fork Robbers Roost & Little Bell

Oct 27

Posted by OUTNBACKMAN in Canyons, General Outdoor | No Comments

This grand event took place Oct. 23rd-25th 2009. We took a group of 10 down to do a couple of canyons. Because of the size of the group we were looking for shorter canyons and decided on the 2 mentioned. Saturday morning we took off to do the north fork of robbers roost. We used 2 cars so we could do a shuttle and cut down on cross country time. This was one of my favorite canyons this year. There were only 2 rappels but the up climb out of the canyon was a real treat. We set up a rope for the first assent of about 20 feet and the rest was fairly easy to stem or up climb. A few times we set up a train to haul packs out. It took us around 6 hrs start to finish with 10 people.

Sunday we did little bell canyon. Once again we had a very fun time. A few nice rappels, some beautiful high canyon walls, sandy trails, and really nice weather for hiking. By doing only little bell and shuttling vehicles, we were able to do the canyon round trip in about 4.5 hrs.

If the weather holds we will be doing a few more trips before the end of the year. Watch the calendar for info and come play with us.

ONB Makeover

Oct 16

Posted by KoRebeaR in General Outdoor | 1 Comment

ONB got a new parking lot the beginning of the week. It didn’t get any bigger, but in looks great!!

Zion Canyon Trip Sept 09

Oct 6

Posted by OUTNBACKMAN in General Outdoor | No Comments

The joys of fall and getting out! A few of us squeaked out a weekend in Zion and were able to do Echo Canyon, Keyhole Canyon, Das Boot, and the Subway. All of the canyons were wet and some we used wetsuits and others we just froze our parts.

Echo Canyon had a nice switchback hike up from weeping rock. We ascended 1000 feet up with a nice view of cable mountain. The canyon was fairly dark and had a good amount of water in it. By the time we picked up our permits, hit the shuttle, and finished the canyon, we had spent the better part of the day. It is always fun to be coming down the trail and listen to people bitch that are going up the trail.

That afternoon we did keyhole. Yes I realize that this is considered a beginner canyon, but hey I was tired of hiking and it is still one of my favorite short slots. Lots of water, some wading and some swimming. I love that you come out of the canyon, take the tunnel under the road and “Wola” there is your truck!

The next day we did Das Boot Canyon and the Subway. Das starts above the Subway and drops right into it. We had a great day and perfect weather. Not too many people were present but those we encountered definitely lacked brain cells. PSA (public service announcement) #1, If you are going to hike and know you are going to get wet, please don’t wear denim pants. PSA #2 If doing the Subway, bring a rope and harness so someone else doesn’t have to haul your sorry but out. PSA #3 Whatever goes down must go back up. The Subway runs downhill, that means sooner or later you have to hike back out. I thought it was a fun hike out of the canyon (about 450 ft ascent in a very short period of time) but I thought I would have to remember CPR for a few people we encountered, and ended up carrying a few small children the final 80 feet because their parents thought it would be “fun” to take their 3 yr old and 1 yr old to see the falls.

I had a great time and once again realized how fortunate I am to live in Utah and have all of this at my disposal. Thanks to David Johnson for planning the trip and entertaining me. If you know David ask him about new alternates to exiting the Subway!