Bogley

[mrbrejcha]

I got a little grumpy while climbing in moab last weekend and decided
to go and do a canyon, now i'm hooked. It seems like something I will
really enjoy, the only problem is I don't know anyone who goes
canyoneering. I have very little expierience with canyoneering, but I
know rope and anchor systems very well from big wall climbing and
search and rescue. It seems to me I know just enough to get myself
into a situation I can't get out of (from teaching friends how to
climb for years, i've noticed super scary situations are created when
someone thinks they know what they are doing).

Anyway, I'd like to go do some technical canyons with someone who
knows what they are doing. I'm in Durango, so the desert is real
close. I know it's the "off season" now, but I'm going to have a lot
of free time in March and May, and probably bunch during the summer as
well.

Anybody mind if I tag along?

[Alex]

Hiya and welcome to the forums. That's how I got into canyoneering, by tagging with the pros on this forum. Just look for invites the guys post on here. There are a few gents here who do great with newbies like us.

[Iceaxe]

:2thumbs: Welcome :2thumbs:

Last time I looked there were two open canyon invites....

Gem Canyon
http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5145

Lomation
http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5188

I've never done Gem, it sounds like a nice canyon with a lot of hiking.

Lomation is really sweet, but also really short. I'd call it more of a route than a canyon.

Also, read this thread. Probably some useful info in it somewhere

Getting Started
http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4914

:popcorn:

[Iceaxe]

Quote: Interests: climbing, kayaking, rafting, food and beer

Oh yeah.... you are going to fit in real nice around here :nod:

:five:

[tanya]

mrbrejcha wrote: I got a little grumpy while climbing in moab last weekend and decided
to go and do a canyon, now i'm hooked. It seems like something I will
really enjoy, the only problem is I don't know anyone who goes
canyoneering. I have very little expierience with canyoneering, but I
know rope and anchor systems very well from big wall climbing and
search and rescue. It seems to me I know just enough to get myself
into a situation I can't get out of (from teaching friends how to
climb for years, i've noticed super scary situations are created when
someone thinks they know what they are doing).

Anyway, I'd like to go do some technical canyons with someone who
knows what they are doing. I'm in Durango, so the desert is real
close. I know it's the "off season" now, but I'm going to have a lot
of free time in March and May, and probably bunch during the summer as
well.

Anybody mind if I tag along?

Welcome! Where do you do SAR? :2thumbs:

[Iceaxe]

tanya wrote: Welcome! Where do you do SAR? :2thumbs:

Oh yeah.... better warn ya....

Tanya has a weakness for SAR guys :stud:

:lol:

[tanya]

Iceaxe wrote: tanya wrote: Welcome! Where do you do SAR? :2thumbs:

Oh yeah.... better warn ya....

Tanya has a weakness for SAR guys :stud:

:lol:

Is it not every woman's dream to be rescued!!!! :2thumbs:

[slim]

Here's a recent post of mine. If you're interested in doing Mind Bender in early May, maybe we could meet up.

Mike

http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5195

[mrbrejcha]

Thanks for the links Iceaxe, those should help get me started! Is Lomation in any guide books or on the internet? I have to work the weekend of the trip you gave me the link to, but I'd still like to check it out.

Tanya- I did a little SAR with LaPlata County last year, I've been slacking on it this year.

Slim- I'm definatley interested, just let me know the dates so I can get work off.

Thanks for the interest guys!!!

[rockgremlin]

Lomatium is a slot canyon in the Fiery Furnace in Arches Nat'l Park. It isn't in any guidebooks because the Fiery Furnace in Arches is some holy and highly protected piece of real estate that the park service vehemently guards, and requires daily permits for all who enter. They have threatened to close down public access to the Fiery Furnace if folks don't play by the rules. Geez, you'd think it was the city of Enoch the way they manage it!

In addition to this, there are several Moab-based guiding companies that lead slot canyon trips through Lomatium, so there are a number of people who are trying to keep Lomatium a secret. So far, if you wanna do Lomatium, you gotta go with someone who knows the route, or get some good beta, and then pledge a blood oath that you won't publish it's location.

[Iceaxe]

mrbrejcha wrote: Is Lomation in any guide books or on the internet?

I'm pretty sure the minute Lomation shows up in a published guide the furnace will be closed to those without a ranger escort. Otherwise I would have published it long ago.

The canyoneering community has currently adopted this canyon as a hook up with someone that has been before route. Keep your eyes open and there are a lot of Lomation invites during the winter months.

:cool2:

[rockgremlin]

While we're on the subject of the Fiery Furnace, allow me to play Devil's avocado.

Sure, I understand that daily permits are required for entrance into the Furnace. (In fact, I picked up a yearly Fiery Furnace pass the last time I was there - only $10 bucks). But what if you go without one? You would have to be caught by a ranger in order to be cited...right? And even then, there are a bazillion places to hide in the furnace. And the ranger would have to run pretty fast to catch me....you see where I'm going with this? :naughty:

[Alex]

That would probably lead to a faster FF closure. I honestly don't mind paying to the National and State parks. At least the money go back into the parks, well at least I hope they do.

[mrbrejcha]

Iceaxe wrote:
The canyoneering community has currently adopted this canyon as a hook up with someone that has been before route.
:cool2:

I can respect that, way to be.