Canyoneering in Zion
Keyhole & Pine Creek Canyons
(be sure to click on the thumbnails to expand photos to full size)

Our good friend Mikey is always leading poor Bobby astray! The other "astrays" in our canyoneering group were Steve C, Bob S, Don & Sharon, Darren and Jeremy (two experts who we were VERY happy to have along). The first day we did Keyhole Canyon, a fairly short one with famously COLD swims. The next day we did Pine Creek Canyon; reportedly the most scenic slot in the park. Darren told us that Pine Creek would rate as one of the top 3 in the world for people with "our" skill level. For me it made a great ending to a short stint at canyoneering.


The guidebook said Keyhole Canyon was extremely narrow and recommended bringing minimal gear. Good advice.

Two days after this picture was taken, our friend Don (the guy on the right) had to be carried for 5 hours on a makeshift stretcher out of a different canyon!

Note the wet suit. That water was COLD! Also notice the unprofessional use of a bicycle helmet. How tacky!

Almost all of the rappels dropped us into water (this is Sharon).

This is called the 'flooded hallway'. It's a LONG swim in COLD water.

More swimming (with our packs on) in water that you wouldn't otherwise consider putting your hand into.

In the middle of Pine Creek we dropped us into a spectacular formation called the 'Cathedral'.

The rappel into the Cathedral was about a 60 feet; long enough for us to really enjoy the view.

To exit the Cathedral we had to swim through this keyhole.

The canyon walls look smooth but they're sandstone that provided a good firm footing.

The second to the last rappel in Pine Creek was also about 60 feet.

Being "brake-man" is a cold and lonely job. Can you say horsehair worm?

Going off the final drop; 120 feet straight down as a free hanging rappel

You might see Bob dangling from a rope, but you would NEVER see him leaning over to take a picture like this!


Same guy; same drop; view from the bottom


We looked pretty small coming off that final drop!

There's Bob in the middle of the 120 footer. You can bet that he still hasn't looked down!

One more look so you can see why Bob is now a "retired" canyoneer!

 

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