CA: Death Valley – Humperdink 2-17-15

I had done very little outside of the Black Mts. of Death Valley. 4-5 canyons on the perimeter of the park, so I kept hearing names of other ranges of very different character. The Black’s really are kind of a “beat down” range to do stuff day after day. Pick your poison. Three thousand up the hill? Twenty five hundred down the hill? All to get into the canyon? Both take there toll. So with an eye to start home, on my last day in DV, the Princess Bride Canyons of the Cottonwood Range sounded like a healthy snack as opposed to the usual super sized, full meal of the Blacks

My perspective partners negotiated a later wake up and start. What could I say? They had been before and I had not. Others seemed to object to whatever the group thought start time should be. Ultimately, they would go their own way. Carol, Eric and Teri were in again, fresh off of Purgatory. Chris just showed up at the fire the night before. That is how you do it. He joined on.

An hour drive in morning light was a joy. Then a few mile march to the escarpment. Up and up we go but only 1,000+ feet this time. Heck, one engaging conversation and we were there already. Humperdink was the canyon chosen. Good by me. The whole ball of wax was new to me.So with a smaller group, five only, we found the drops short, the canyon tighter and everything felt intimate in a way the other range does not provide.

We worked downclimbs, hand lines, captures and other fun and games. The temp had moderated back into the low 80’s and there was just enough shape to offer comfort. Then the canyon released us and for the 2nd day in a row, we found an easier walking route out, than we did heading up.

Once back at Furnace Creek, the folks scattered to the winds and I headed toward home. I drove to Slabby Acres and into the almost completely deserted camp. Just two days earlier, there were 90 people or so there. I checked around and found the camp cleaner than I have ever seen it. I will declare the clean-up a success. Five states and 16 hours of driving awaited. I have been home two weeks. It has snowed 10 of those days. I type here thinking fondly of sweat dripping down into my eyes, burning. Do we always grave what is not here now?

overland toward the Cottonwoods

Erik

Teri

Chris

gallons of quartz?

Sporting bypass

Casual Carol