Bogley

[price1869]

Trip Report



Location: Darby Canyon (Fossil Mt.) Ice Caves

Date: September 24, 2005

Group: Jason Price, Jason Summers, Tyler Summers, Dan, Ben and Jake Roberts, Josh R. and the Duke of Welling-bone.





Equipment: 100’ canyoneering rope, 80’ static rope, 40’ static rope, harnesses, rappel device, ascenders, headlamps, helmets, kneepads, Warm clothes, neoprene socks, food and water.

Time: In cave at about 8:45 am, out of cave at about 4:30 pm, Total time 7 hours 45 min.

Notes:

We spent Friday night at the Roberts’ Grandparents’ house in Driggs. That was one nice place. They were very nice to us.

We actually got on the trail at about 7:00 am. It was raining just a little. Around the hobbit house area we passed a large group coming down that seemed in really poor spirits. In fact, we said hello and greeted every one of them and the only responses we got were some grunts, one guy that said, “You don’t know what you’re getting yourselves into,” and another who said, “You’re crazy.” For some reason, the rest of the trip we all kept saying that we “don’t know what we’re getting ourselves into.”



We hiked very quickly and reached the mouth of the cave in less than two hours. That is extremely fast paced, especially considering that it was snowing on us, and the trail, though mild, was very slick.

At the mouth of the cave, it took us a long time to get everything and everyone ready. Most of the group tied harnesses from webbing to avoid ruining their harnesses on the sharp limestone in the cave. We finally signed the register and got going.




Down the first couple rappels we were feeling good. The Duke of Welling-bone, however, did not make it down the overhanging ice and we had to leave him.


The Duke of Welling-bone.



Tyler was the first through the big squeeze, and having zero experience canyoneering or caving, he was a little surprised by what he found to be a very tight squeeze. The big ice pillar that was there last time had mostly melted. Besides that, the cave was about how I remember it. We cruised through stopping only a few times to eat and to change at Crotch Lake, but with seven people, the rappels were really slow. Even the stemming took a long time, but we didn’t get lost at all.


(I in no way support or endorse the Yankees, in fact, I hate them. This kid almost got strung up with the Duke for wearing this beanie.)


Ben rappels next to the waterfall on the 4th rappel.


Josh on the 4th rappel.


The Balcony Rappel


Summers and Tyler. The stemming never ends.

Crotch lake was not as deep as usual (relief) But most of us still got naked just in case. It’s cold water and having wet clothes is not really an option down there.


Getting Dressed after Crotch Lake

Sunlight is always beautiful after you’ve been underground for a while. The fog made it really cool and we were happy to see that most of the snow had melted while we were in the cave. Back down to the parking lot was quick and painless. The group split there. Summers and Tyler and I went down to O’Rourkes in Driggs and the Roberts went back to their Grand Parents’.


Daylight and fog.


Summers and Ty.


I was happy to see daylight. I swear.

The end.

[accadacca]

Your pictures turned out great! Considering the weather and the darkness of a cave. NICE!!!........ :rockon:

[price1869]

Thanks ACCA

Yeah, I gave Summers my little HP canyoneering camera and took my Nikon CoolPix 5400. It's a great camera, but a little fragile for adventures. Good flash.

Price

[rockgremlin]

Excellent TR and photos!!!

What was the longest rappel? How many raps?

Looks like a blast - except for the part about getting naked with a bunch of dudes. :haha:

[Sombeech]

So, what was with that grumpy group? Did they not bring the right gear?

And what happenned to the Duke? Why couldn't he make it down with you?

This is a sweet looking cave!!! Where is this Darby Canyon? I haven't heard of it.

BTW, I haven't heard of a lot of things. :jump_nutt:

[price1869]

Grumpy Group:
I'm guessing that they camped at the mouth of the cave and when it started snowing decided to turn back. It's only a guess though. We'll probably never know.

The Duke:
The Duke got hung up on some old ropes that were frozen in the big overhanging ice rappel. He got one around the neck and there he stayed. (The duke is a plastic skeleton that I stole from my parents' house. I thought it would be funny to have a skeleton hanging in there right as you come over the over hang.

Rappels:
There are 5 rappels. 40' on 60 degree pitch ice, 70' overhang off a frozen waterfall, then 3 50' rappels off limestone balconies.

Darby Canyon:
Darby canyon is in the tetons. You can see the main peaks in the back of this google image taken from the Idaho side. (looking east)


Thanks for all the feedback.

Price

[rock_ski_cowboy]

Excellent TR, Price. I don't have much to add to it. I'm glad you got a shot of the KKK Klansman on his way to their rendezvous up there. That was pretty sweet too. Thanks for taking great pics and sharing your cave knowledge with Josh and I and my bros.

It was an awesome trip. Too bad the duke couldn't make it all the way through with us. Wading through ice-cold crotch laked butt naked was, well, a unique experience. (You better have destroyed that blackmaiil picture you took of me, fag). I'm quite glad the water didn't quite reach the juevos, it got pretty close. (they were up around my stomach by the time anyhow).

See ya round.

Ben[/img]

[Sombeech]

I hope the Grumps read your trip report. :haha:

Thanks for the location.

[snatch]

Not quite a year later and already you're going back. I'm jelous i won't be there this time. I'm expecting the 3rd Darby post by 7/18/2006. You should see if Shane has the juevos to attend. Good luck.

[jumar]

Dang, I need to do this trip sometime.