Here is a link to another trip report for Cascade Creek. There is a good photo gallery as well. Check it out if you are interested.
http://www.canyoneering.net/forums/blog.php?b=146
CC
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Black Canyon Season
It is starting to get really nice in the Black Canyon. First day of
Autumn means its time to go to the North Rim, right?
I've been down SOB twice in the last couple weeks. It is brisk in the dawn chill, but the sun soon creeps around depending on what route you do. Kevin hadn't had the pleasure of climbing the Casual Route, so with some clouds above we opted for a shorter objective. The old school 5.8 squeeze-chimney is always a good grovel.
I went back with GMon and climbed the Russian Arete on Monday. It was great. There were two parties in the canyon, light clouds, and beautiful oak brush colors on the rim. The climb features lots of fun 5.8 stemming, a steep 5.9 pegmatite corner, and lots of 4th and 5th class ridge climbing to get off. A true Black Adventure for fit moderate climbers.
Enjoy the Autumn! CC
Autumn means its time to go to the North Rim, right?
I've been down SOB twice in the last couple weeks. It is brisk in the dawn chill, but the sun soon creeps around depending on what route you do. Kevin hadn't had the pleasure of climbing the Casual Route, so with some clouds above we opted for a shorter objective. The old school 5.8 squeeze-chimney is always a good grovel.
I went back with GMon and climbed the Russian Arete on Monday. It was great. There were two parties in the canyon, light clouds, and beautiful oak brush colors on the rim. The climb features lots of fun 5.8 stemming, a steep 5.9 pegmatite corner, and lots of 4th and 5th class ridge climbing to get off. A true Black Adventure for fit moderate climbers.
Enjoy the Autumn! CC
Monday, September 22, 2008
Canyoneering in Ouray.
We have been exploring some of the canyons around Ouray this summer. They have gotten a little publicity in the canyoneering community, so we thought we should investigate. The first foray was down Portland Creek, known as Ivan's Trail. It was nice and scenic with one significant rappel under the Ampitheather Bridge. Kevin pulls the rope in the photo below.
Next up was Oak Creek Canyon. It was much longer with incredible atmosphere and soaring cliffs on both sides. We did many long rappels, including the 200 footer down the main falls seen below.
We wanted to check out Cascade Creek Canyon next, so we invested in the 600 feet of canyoneering rope that greatly facilitates the long rappel over Cascade Falls itself. We entered the canyon halfway up its distance to Chief Ouray. It was pretty wild negotiating the numerous drops, slids, and down-climbs. There was one especially entertaining 3 stage waterfall. Eventually we got down to the big tree anchor for ice climbing Cascade Falls. We tied a macrame anchor with the 600 foot rope and rapped down. I must say it was a little unnerving at first to rappel such a long waterfall, but good clean fun. The last 3 photos show some of the cool canyon scenery on the way down Cascade.
Next up was Oak Creek Canyon. It was much longer with incredible atmosphere and soaring cliffs on both sides. We did many long rappels, including the 200 footer down the main falls seen below.
We wanted to check out Cascade Creek Canyon next, so we invested in the 600 feet of canyoneering rope that greatly facilitates the long rappel over Cascade Falls itself. We entered the canyon halfway up its distance to Chief Ouray. It was pretty wild negotiating the numerous drops, slids, and down-climbs. There was one especially entertaining 3 stage waterfall. Eventually we got down to the big tree anchor for ice climbing Cascade Falls. We tied a macrame anchor with the 600 foot rope and rapped down. I must say it was a little unnerving at first to rappel such a long waterfall, but good clean fun. The last 3 photos show some of the cool canyon scenery on the way down Cascade.
