Nordic pit is a 20ft pit within the state of Arizona. This was a pit that was visited a long time ago and records are being updated. This information is for people who know where this pit is located. If you are interested in understanding more about how to get involved with caving, please reach out to me or your local grotto.
Jump-up canyon is a excellent connecting tributary to the kanab creek system and the respective canyons around the region. Here you can gain access from Indian Hollow from the east or from Kanab Creek from the west.
Jumpup canyon has a straightforward hike through non technical redwall narrows which is rather extensive in length and a very beautiful and scenic approach to rattlesnake and kirks chasm canyons.
My eye lids slowly separate as dust crumbles back into my already semi dry and slightly anxious eyes. Turning on my inreach to get a weather report, suns turn into blue lines of rain and changes yet again, weather is reporting higher integers than zero just to the right of the decimal. Math is finally paying off when I widen my eyes to confirm what I am already realizing, rain is on the way and its not coming as gradual as expected.
A 0430 rise and the darkness still clouds my introspection and questions if I even got the sleep I needed. Knowing I went to
bed a 630pm the evening before should give away the feeling that my body had enough horizontal yet the lack of clouds in the sky make me question the data I received.
The day before, we had a similar abundance of sleep and a early start with the blue hour throwing colors of violet onto the redwall like a changing lens filter cycling through pigments of magenta.
Hiking up Jumpup canyon from the Kanab Creek junction was our approach to Rattlesnake Canyon
As the hours ticked by the sun turned the violet hour into rich colors from purple to pink and into its classically known redwall.
Although the hiking was long, the boulder hoping that I have been used to was, for the most part, absent.
There were indeed polished like stones and boulders in the wash hiking but it was about as straightforward as can be and relatively easy.
The condition of my knee continued to elaborate and the GC team I have put together became a machine that was out doing the conductor,
not a bad problem to have at all, yet an extra 10 minute break was in need for the patella to air out.
Was passed Ojojojojojojojojojojojojojojojojojojojoojojoj...or whatever that is called, canyon and got into Indian hollow.
There were a few up climbs in there and a bit of route finding through a couple annoying patches of
crumbly sandstone that brought us to the top of the esplanade.
Its always a charm to get to the vast expanse of the esplanade where route finding became straightforward and a direct route to rattlesnake canyon was a breeze.
less than an hour and we were facing the tail end of rattlesnake canyon.
Typical crumbly downclimbing and sandstone maneuvering had our team meandering around the supai with a fantastic view of the redwall below and what will become a of the remainder of our day.
In the distance we can see how the canyon slithers around into the redwall which is why I am assuming the name rattlesnake canyon came from,
but it is the grand canyon and there are indeed rattlesnakes around so I would hope there might be a better story for its name maker.
Once in the redwall, I grasp onto my anticipation that we have finally made it to this slightly of classic track of a canyon.
I surgically enjoy the lesser known places that still provide a beautiful output for effort and Rattlesnake canyon did not disappoint.
The sounds of team interaction echo through the canyon walls as I endeavor to place myself in the middle of the team to help with rope management and anchor requirements, but to photograph our moments as we pass through.
At this very moment we come together in our lives to seek an experience and tap into our curiosity, a curiosity of what we will encounter.
With greatness comes our reference experiences that we develop amongst ourselves and for one another.
We get help along the way to achieve greatness and that achievement comes with the realization that continuing development is an evolution that never ends in the pursuit of making something great, that much better.
The canyon was beautiful, the raps were fun, we encountered 6-8 raps and went through some very interesting sections of narrow redwall but its what we become that I find the most valuable.
Our aspirations also included discovering a sneak route from rattlesnake canyon to kirks chasm canyon, which was successful.
Pat hiked up a break before the last rap to discover that we can indeed gain the top of the redwall and it appeared with our research that we could gain the top of the redwall in kirks chasm canyon by following the bench. We hard fixed a line in the last rap and prepared to ascend the rope the following day so we could attempt this plan but the threshold of threatening weather halted this plan for another time.
I am looking forward to completing the sneak route over to kirks chasm the following year and sharing that experience with the team as the grand canyon still hold plenty of exploration for generations to come.
Grey Mountain pit is a vertical pit within the state of Arizona.
We rigged off to a Prius and dropped into this gypsum cave which was very crumbly and was around 100ft of depth.
Standing over the gorge as wind carries dust and debris over the rim has me pondering the origins of this volcanic canyon. Water and time eroded away a gorge exposing the deposits of reds and yellows through bands in the wall and leaving a tale of fire and smoke for this regions hostile past.
Rainbow canyon is a short half day canyon just outside of the west side of Death Valley. Many people come to visit the overlook and, if they are lucky, have a chance to see fighter jets fly through. Fewer still, get a chance to see the canyon up close of be in the inner drainage of rainbow canyon.
3 raps of 170 and less were encountered in rainbow canyon along with a pothole at the bottom of rap 2. This pothole appeared to be a bit difficult
To climb out of but rigging a belay from the top easily solves that problem so you can belay anyone who ventures into the cauldron.
A ridge hike out takes you back to the top with 3 hours of fun from car to
Car.
Burnt canyon is a large tributary within the boundaries of Grand Canyon National Park.
There is a non technical multi day hike that takes you down into the canyon and a technical canyoneering route that takes you through the east fork.
The non technical multi day hike takes you down a path to the main fork of burnt canyon.
There is miles of gorge like
Hiking that eventually take you to the river.
The technical eastern fork of
Burnt canyon takes you through a bit more of a scenic course through the supai and redwall.
You must do your research when you plan and prepare to visit this region.
When we were at the east fork, we encountered some down climbs
and a short rappel.
The canyon continues down
And eventually connects with the main fork of burnt canyon.
Water might be an issue so plan accordingly
This region is very remote and very few people travel here.
The canyon was interesting but I did not find it to be the most scenic.
There are many other hikes that are quite scenic and interesting.
However, you can’t go wrong with the Grand Canyon.
And there is absolute solitude here.
If you really want a place that is
desolate of people, you have come to the right place.
Make sure you prepare for the drive to the trailhead.
The road in itself is quite remote
Enjoy this amazing place