DAY 5 - More Climbing and More Canyoneering
With 6 glorious days in Moab, it’s next to impossible to
pick out a favourite day - they were all TOTALLY AWESOME! However, if I had to
pick one, Day 5 perhaps edged out the others by a fraction of a hair width!
Firstly, we both wanted redemption on Owl Rock. I knew I
couldn’t lead it, but Evan was confident that he could. As a warm-up we tackled
nearby Bullwinkle, having a considerably easily go of it than our first time in
April.
Evan then led Owl Rock. I was super impressed to watch
him power up the route. He then belayed me up. Yep…. no way could I have led
that! This summit felt especially sweet. Hats off again to Evan for getting us
there.
A double hotdog lunch was reward for our efforts and
then we set off to try another canyoneering route – Dragonfly Canyon.
In short, Dragonfly was an absolute BLAST! All the phenomenal scenery we had come to
love about Moab, a couple of terrific rappels, and two deep, water-filled holes
to get by. The holes were full of murky water and we had no idea how deep they
were and if anything (dead or alive) lurked beneath the surface. Maybe Evan
will go first???
Of course he did! I was happy to stand back and watch Evan
plunge into the unknown. Thankfully nothing bit Evan or arose from the depths
and so I, without a lick of hesitation, leapt fearlessly into the water!! Since
there was a fuzzy, dead caterpillar floating in the water we named it "Dead
Caterpillar Hole".
Another equally entertaining hole followed and then the two
rappels. A scenic hike finished one of the best days I’ve ever had in the
outdoors.
BULLWINKLE
Warming up with Bullwinkle
Evan near the summit
Summit view from Bullwinkle
More great views. Owl Rock at the right
Interesting perspective!!
Evan is still hanging out at the summit
Evan rappels Bullwinkle
OWL ROCK
Heading for Owl Rock and the second attempt
Evan leads the entire climb....
.....except the final few metres, which are an easy scramble. I get the thumb up from Evan, as I reach the summit
Evan at the top
Nice view from the top
Evan rappels another well-earned route
DRAGONFLY CANYON
The route starts with a little cross country travel
And then it's down into the canyon
You wouldn't want to fall into one of these
Easily bypassed
The canyon narrows
Evan prepares for Round 1 of Dirty Water Canyoneering!
Success!
click HERE to see my fearless (?) sojourn through "Dead Caterpillar Hole"
Looking back at the first water hole
click HERE to see Evan in Round 2 of Dirty Water Canyoneering
Evan on the other side
Evan starts the rappel into another water hole
Heading down
Looking back at the second hole, before I rappel
Fortunately you are able to avoid a dip into this pool by going to the side
A scenic walk through the next section
The canyon REALLY narrows for this part
....and then leads to another super rappel
Evan at the bottom
More scenic walking
Eventually you pop out onto open terrain
Life is good when you have this kind of scenery to hike alongside on return
continue to DAY 6