Bogley

[shaggy125]

Did two canyons down in Death Valley (Styx and Darwin). Styx involves a HUGE elevation loss (over 5000 feet) and is by far most interesting as it passes through the final layer of rock, where most of the rappels, downclimbs, and good scenery are. Darwin was a short rest day, it is flowing but really short. The first rap down the waterfall, getting pounded by flow was a lot of fun. We also attempted to climb Pyramid Peak but only Bill Wolverton (Escalante ranger), and his buddy Steve, made it. Their tolerance of exposed unprotected 5th class climbing was higher than the rest of us. On the drive home we did a little climbing at Red Rocks to break things up. Temps were in the high 70's and low 80's, it was REALLY nice, but I got considerably worked as I've obviously been too lazy this winter! My legs are still sore from all that downhill. Links to pics:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ericgodfrey/DeathValleyAndRedRocks

[goofball]

no blooms yet ?

we plan on doing bad or hades canyon in the next 2/3 weeks. hope the flowers are blooming then.

[shaggy125]

There were actually a bunch of flowers in the main valley. Lots of tourists taking pictures, but I never stopped, just looked from the car. I didn't do hades or bad, but was told bad is mediocre but hades is good. Apparently cerebus (spelling?) is most peoples favorite, especially if you like rappels. Something like 30 raps, 2 of them near 300 feet.

[CarpeyBiggs]

Eric, you are a dog. I should've come. Blast.

[Randi]

shaggy125 wrote: There were actually a bunch of flowers in the main valley. Lots of tourists taking pictures, but I never stopped, just looked from the car. I didn't do hades or bad, but was told bad is mediocre but hades is good. Apparently cerebus (spelling?) is most peoples favorite, especially if you like rappels. Something like 30 raps, 2 of them near 300 feet.

I’m such a tourist! I DID stop for the flowers! And the rocks, and the cactus, and every other pretty little thing that interested me. I found two cool heart-shaped rocks (one of them had pink veins throughout), and some nice crystals.

The road from Furnace creek to around the “Devils Cornfield” was awash in these pretty yellow daisies. We also saw a few purple and orange flowers along the hike up to the “peak, before the peak, before the “real” peak of Pyramid Peak”.

That’s where four of us decided we’d had enough! : )~

I’ll post a photo of the daisies later, and a link to my hiking pics (I didn’t do any canyons this time).

Shaggy was actually willing to go on with Bill & Steve, but he decided to hike back down to hang with his buddy Josh & the rest of us who were anti- motivated.
We’d been ascending for nearly 3000’ already, the view from where we were was spectacular, and the peak was still far, far away…..

I’m headed back out this w/e to do an exploratory canyon with the skeleton crew left out there. Can’t wait to see what they all thought of Cerberus! They were planning on that one for Tues. Definitely my favorite so far, but it’s VERY long and the rappels are pretty relentless. It was hilarious to see everyone limping around camp from all the down-climbing (I guess you can compare canyoneering in DV to doing 1000 squats in a day). I hope they’re still in shape for canyoneering by the time I get there!

Too bad you didn’t come Dan. It would have been fun to hang out with you again, and
your photos would have been awesome no doubt!

***Posted a few of mine from this weekend here***
http://picasaweb.google.com/advntrinxs/DVHikingTripFeb2008

~Randi

~PS: Here’s a link to some DV flowers during a 100 year bloom.
http://ghosttownexplorers.org/deathvalley/dvflowers/dvflowers1.htm