One last trip report, from our Scotty’s Hollow to Kanab Creek to Colorado River to 150 mile Canyon Trip in the Grand. This was a pretty fantastic trip, and one I would recommend to anyone who wants to check out Panameta, or Olo, and has enough time for making sure there is P-chord in 150 mile and running a semi-obnoxious shuttle. We didn’t do either of those canyons, because we were feeling lazy, but even without them, it was a ridiculously cool trip with probably one of the best packraft sections I could think of in the Grand Canyon as well.
Trip Report
rickinlo
Jenny,
We left the new p-cord that we placed. I guess my thinking was that whoever would be there next would use it anyway. The previous time I had been down 150, there was existing p-cord there that we used. We placed a sign as well, although it was at the trailhead, because I forgot to bring it with me, which was less ideal. I can see where removing the p-cord we placed would fall more in line with LNT ethics though. Maybe we’ll go with that approach next time so we aren’t leaving excess trash.
Also a retreat out of 150, packraft down to Tuckup and hiking out that way would certainly be a bit of an epic with probably a less than ideal amount of food, but probably not the end of the world if something in fact did happen. Something to keep in mind for anyone planning to exit 150 mile I would think, as flash floods and rodents cannot read signs.
-Rick
Jenny
Rick,
I don’t know what you and others consider the proper canyon protocol and I don’t mean to be the smarty-pants authority on this.
For me, we always place new p-cord at the raps as well as a laminated sign, well attached to the hanger with pertinent information (“Do not remove or we will die! Returning on …….”)
Our group packed out all the p-cord we placed, as well as the whole and partial cords we found scattered through the technical section.
‘Just want to clarify this so that others that plan the down and up of this route take full responsibility for their retreat option being a safe one.
Other thoughts?
Jenny
rickinlo
We were in a month earlier, so no fox in there. Looks pretty fresh.
It was definitely a good thing I took the time to go down and set p-cord though. When I went down, the first drop had p-cord, the second had some ripped pieces, and everything below that was completely gone.
Jenny
Rick,
A small group of my Canadian pals and I ventured down and up 150 mile on Nov. 14-17. Was your group in there just prior to those dates?
We noted that all anchors were freshly outfitted and many had whole and partial looped cord left in place for the up climb. The critters had chewed many in dozens of bits. We followed fresh tracks left in the dried mud but the canyon was the driest I’ve ever seen it for our down/up.
Did you see/smell this little fox beneath one of big chockstone rappels beside a pile of chopped up blue cord?
The NPS opened the gates to flush the Colorado a few days before our arrival and there was no beach as the high waters covered both banks and swelled many yards into the mouth of 150. So, we retreated w/o putting our toes in the white sand and cool water. We spent the last days on a descent of Cove, a brutal whack-a-bush along the right bank to exit at Lava Falls.
Nothing like Grand Canyon to bring awe into a day, eh?
Nice report, thanks.
Jenny
Scott Chandler
Drool!
rickinlo
We had actually talked about hiking up Olo from the river, as you suggested that to me earlier. But the water moved far faster than I realized, especially with Kanab Creek, and we past Olo before we even thought to look for it!
Rich Rudow
Rick, that sounds like a great trip! I did a simliar route last year with friends from Europe. Although we portaged Kanab Rapid. Hats off to u guys for running that without flipping. There is a way to climb into Olo from the river that makes it a worthy stop. Loved the photos.
Regards,
Rich