Bogley

slim · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 19 Location: N.W. Idaho

I've been in Mind Bender twice (seven years ago and then last June) but never did the big rap at the end. Both times we left our ropes in place and ascended back up to get out which was lots of fun but I really want to do that last big rappel. But I'd sure like to go with someone with lots of canyoneering experience in general and Mind Bender specifically since rappelling 200' from a pile of rocks sure makes me nervous! 8^)

Anyone interested in letting me tag along with you sometime in May?

I have lots (25 years) of canyon hiking experience, a fair amount of climbing experience and a few canyoneering trips under my belt.

Mike Jewell
Post Falls, ID
http://www.icehouse.net/msjmsj/mikej.html (down as of this posting but should be back up soon.)

price1869 · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 1:58 pm Post subject:

Hey,

Idahoans stick together, but I've got a lot of other canyons to do. You can do it. Just remember to back up your anchors.

Price

rockgremlin · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 4071 Location: Hotel California

That pile of rocks is pretty secure. I and many others have rappelled from it.

It's a fun rappel. Go for it! Just wear a helmet...you'll be fine! :2thumbs:

price1869 · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:06 pm Post subject:

rockgremlin wrote: That pile of rocks is pretty secure. I and many others have rappelled from it.

It's a fun rappel. Go for it! Just wear a helmet...you'll be fine! :2thumbs:

Next time my anchor comes loose and I'm falling 200 feet, I'm going to think, "OH F(_)CK I'm dead. Wait, no I'm not. Good thing I'm wearing my helmet." :roflol:

Sorry, not a personal attack RG, the imagery just made me laugh.

slim · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 19 Location: N.W. Idaho

I definitely would be wearing a helmet in this canyon. But I too did chuckle a bit about wearing the helmet for that last rap. Made me think about these four pics I just got sent to me by a friend. (Maybe you've all seen them.) Don't know where they are. 8^o

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions. I'd still like to tag along with any of you if you're heading to that area.

Mike

The caption for these pics was:
"When Bicycle Helmets Make NO Sense"

rockgremlin · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 4071 Location: Hotel California

price1869 wrote: rockgremlin wrote: That pile of rocks is pretty secure. I and many others have rappelled from it.

It's a fun rappel. Go for it! Just wear a helmet...you'll be fine! :2thumbs:

Next time my anchor comes loose and I'm falling 200 feet, I'm going to think, "OH F(_)CK I'm dead. Wait, no I'm not. Good thing I'm wearing my helmet." :roflol:

Sorry, not a personal attack RG, the imagery just made me laugh.

No offense taken. I meant it as a joke. I'm glad you "got it."

stefan · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 4656 Location: somewhere

rockgremlin wrote: That pile of rocks is pretty secure. I and many others have rappelled from it.

It's a fun rappel. Go for it! Just wear a helmet...you'll be fine! :2thumbs:

that pile of rocks?

it should be noted that the pile of rocks is not always there!!!

they could be getting buried quite deep at times (or flushed off the lip?) :ne_nau:

there is a 10foot-or-so DROP before the exit pothole/rap. there are boulders usually above this DROP. if you're not alone, send one person ahead to check to see if there is an anchor or any boulders. if there aren't any, you'll have to drop them down from above.

we've come to this point not found any anchor/boulders, even digging pretty deeply in the sand. (i went to check, while my partner, nat, stayed above the drop).

also the rappel is not 200' ... it's been said to be about 150.

enjoy :2thumbs:

goofball · Posted: Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:28 pm Post subject:

slim wrote: "When Bicycle Helmets Make NO Sense"

:eek2: that is nuckin futs ! :hail2thechief:

price1869 · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 12:11 am Post subject:

goofball wrote: slim wrote: "When Bicycle Helmets Make NO Sense"

:eek2: that is nuckin futs ! :hail2thechief:

Revisit . . .

anyway, check the TRs for MB pics, look at my FLICKR, or

slim · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 19 Location: N.W. Idaho

OK, so now we're at the bottom. :phew: What about the "Moki Steps" exit route? Last June I hiked down that way to try to find it. I got down to about 100 feet above the floor and saw some trails in the sand down there but never could identify a route up to the slickrock where I was standing. Everything I could see looked real scary without a rope. Of course, I didn't spend too much time hiking and looking around since it was a "cool" 100 degrees! :crazy:

What's that climb like? The story is that it's a pretty exposed 5.4-ish climb. Are there any places to place trad gear (what, on slickrock?? :haha:) for protection or belaying the rest of a party?

Love this forum,
Mike

price1869 · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 8:35 am Post subject:

As long as there's no snow and at least one person in your group has a pair, you'll be fine. It's 5.4- and not quite as exposed as people make it sound.

rockgremlin · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 4071 Location: Hotel California

You're right, it is roughly 5.4, and from the bottom it looks reaaally dicey. But its one of those climbs where it looks scary from below, but once you start the climb, its not so bad. There are plenty of hand-holds.

A word of caution though -- the slickrock there can be a little brittle/flaky, so watch it! Also it wouldn't hurt if at least one member of your party was a strong climber.

Just wear your helmet, you'll be fine! :2thumbs:

Cirrus2000 · Joined: 26 Mar 2006 Posts: 1341

rockgremlin wrote: Just wear your helmet, you'll be fine! :2thumbs:
Once again, the helmet thing! I'm thinking of taking up bullfighting - but I'll wear a helmet. It'll be OK! :roflol:

mrbrejcha · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 205 Location: Ogden, UT

Slim,

I'm definatley interested, just let me know the dates so I can get work off.
Rappelling off a pile of rocks sounds like "fun"

slim · Joined: 07 May 2006 Posts: 19 Location: N.W. Idaho

Quote: I'm definatley interested, just let me know the dates so I can get work off.
Rappelling off a pile of rocks sounds like "fun"

Yeah, I'm sure it is... (so long as they hold!) :haha:

I'm a pretty conservative climber (I'm still alive!) so I would want to set up one or two backup anchors for that rap. I've got some ideas...

I think I'll start a new thread for them.

The dates will probably be within the first two weeks of May when I'm there.

Mike