Last rap in Pleiades Canyon La Sal National Forest, Utah |
After breakfast we headed out to Manti La Sal National Forest outside of Moab to get to a different kind of canyon setting which could be a class C especially in the earlier part of the year but I consider this one a 3BII because we ended up sticking the rope on the 4th rap! Patrick met up with us at the trailhead and joined us through the canyon as he was by himself.
Walking up to Pleiades Canyon La Sal National Forest, Moab |
The Trailhead was also at around 9000ft. of elevation which was quite the change from where we were the night before. The Birch tree and pine trees were abundant and the outside temp was about 60 degrees.
Canyon leading to Rap 1 in Pleiades Canyon La Sal National Forest , Moab |
We reach the birch line and find the wash that starts to take us down through he canyon to the first drop which was around 20ft.
Rap 2 in Pleiades Canyon La Sal National Forest , Moab |
We rap down on a 8mm double rope to the bottom where it was a little cavernous and quite interesting. The next rap was a double drop with a total descent of around 60ft to the bottom.
rap 3 Pleiades canyon La Sal National Forest, Moab
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immediately following that canyon was the third drop which was another 20ft that had a little nasty lip but it was a small drop so it was not bad at all.
Bottom of rap 2 in Pleiades canyon La Sal National Forest, Moab
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Than we come up to the 4th rap. The water was flowing a bit and it was a series of steep slide like drops that could have been slid down but it would be better to rap down.
Looking down the Rope Sticker rap 4 drop in pleiades Canyon La Sal National Forest, Utah
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At first we thought we would set up another anchor mid rap with the chock stones there were available but we decided to just pull the rope from the top of this 80ft drop. We rap down this beautiful water slide drop and we all get to the bottom without any issues. We pull the rope and it does come about from the top anchor and as we pull it down, the rope gets stuck in between some chock stones that we can not see.
Last rap in Pleiades Canyon La Sal National Forest |
We flick the rope in different directions for 10 minutes or so until we decided to rap the last drop and come back around with another rope to free this rope. We tried a few more times and the rope started to free itself little by little. I was considering, and about to start climbing the rope as this drop was not sheer and consisted of a steep waterside and lots of handholds, but as I was making the decision to commit to the climb, the rope popped out and it was free. woohoo!!!!
Overlook on the pleiades Canyon Trail La Sal National Forest, Moab
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The final rap was around 80ft to the mouth of the canyon and we were finally out of the canyon. A trail took us up and left past a interesting arch near the face just DRC from where we were.
Trail on Pleiades Canyon La Sal National Forest, Utah |
We made the steep hike up the hill back to the trail and eventually made it back to the car in less than 4 hours. Once we got back to the car we exchanged numbers and headed out to Dragonfly canyon. I realized once we got to dragonfly, I still had his rope on my bag!! I totally forgot to give it to him and I have been looking for him ever since so I can send it to him....If your out there Patrick, get a hold of me, I got your rope.
Birch Trees on the trail to Pleiades Canyon La Sal National Forest |