Kolob Creek, June 17, 2016
Our group of 3 was favored with ideal conditions through Kolob Creek. This was our second trip for Brett and myself, while our good friend Gordon has been through numerous times. I have just a handful of “class C” experiences and I would say this was about right. Gordon did this canyon back in the late 1990s in a group of 6 as part of SAR training and he believes they went through about 9-10 CFS. He commented that was certainly the upper range of the comfort zone.
As always, Kolob is special, especially because the windows of opportunity can be limited.
This day, we had nice flow of 3-4 CFS, cold (but not killer cold) water and ambient temperatures whether in the depths of the canyon, plodding down the creek or powering up the MIA exit that made it a “no feel the weather day.” Don’t recall any wind which can change the experience. Two of us in 5/4 wetsuits, 5mm socks and gloves and one in a drysuit were quite comfortable. We moved at a solid pace, took more pictures than normal, but otherwise didn’t stop much. This challenge of the whole trip can never be underestimated. It is always a LONG day and the hike out is a price to pay with wet ropes and suits, but I love it anyway.
Even the perfect trip has something happen. The most challenging moment was just prior to lift off –Brett’s trunk stuck closed with all our gear securely out of reach. After some prying, wedging and disconfiguring of the back seat we were able to release a latch from inside the trunk and get on our way. Never a dull moment.
Magical day. I will let the video and pictures say the rest.
spinesnaper
That video is an instant classic. Job well done!
bhalvers2002
Correct. Gordon is medical director. I normally get the permit for our group but in this case he took care of it, so it now makes sense to hear of other reports of non issued permits. I was not aware they won’t issue if spillover happening. As Tom has outlined in previous posts the presence of spillover can be a huge variation in conditions – including no flow in the canyon.
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Yellow Dart
So there’s a medical director (proper title?) for the park, he kind of just calls the wilderness desk and tells them where he’s off to, and they oblige because he’s a company man. Not sure if you were with him, or if he was one of the other two (who cracked his head). But the park hadn’t issued any permits for Kolob yet this year, at least not as of last Thursday the 23rd. That’s why I was denied permits for Kolob.
So, one of the two groups poached, and the other was allowed because of a connection with the park. I doubt you were the poachers, because you’re posting very publicly.
At the desk the rule is if there is any spillover (even if it’s 1CFS) the park does not issue permits.
Kip Marshall
Parts of the above statements are correct. There are certain (non-park service) members (of the SAR team) whom have this type of flexibility. However, when they ‘call in’ there still has to be available space in the permit pool. The canyon also needs to be open, which is why I asked the rhetorical question about permits. My personal feeling is that the park would not open itself up to this type of liability as well as risk unrest in the recreational community when it learns that the park is not keeping it’s own rules.
Kip
ratagonia
At the moment, there is no spillover. But…
Tom
bhalvers2002
No. But it sounds like others have had issues in past weeks. We must have caught the right day.
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Kip Marshall
Did the park give you any trouble with permits?
Rapterman
Outstanding Video/trip report!
We are salivating while watching…
Were there any places where the flow created any special hassles or hazards?
Thanks for posting bhalvers
bhalvers2002
Not really as it relates to flow. Really no issues with hydraulics at this rate.
With careful attention to the rope, no knots or rap jammers on rappel. The last 165 foot rap, spend much of in the water and depending on your gloves and other factors, wet rope can speed up descent – so like everything – requires paying attention. As you know, a device like the CRITR is really nice for swimming / flow disconnects – never worried about losing it. I am conscientious on rap 5 (2 stage rap) about not sticking the rope in the chockstone area. Never know when upper pool with have debris or sumberged part of rope unwittingly wrapped around something.
I posted this on a different thread last week but thought worth adding here. A group of 2 put into Kolob just ahead of us. We bumped into them again about rap 5 or so, at the end of what many do as a 2-stage rap. Long rap of 100 feet or so (1st picture) and then you get to a pool and swim until you reach a chockstone (2nd picture), and rap another 30 feet. The group ahead did the 1st part of the rap and then rapped off the existing webbing at the chockstone. Apparently, the webbing blew out at the chockstone (my guess is was old and likely not well inspected) once on rappel and the guy fell backwards, hit his head on the rock, briefly blacked out and went into the pool, which was deep enough to produce nothing more than a big splash. He quickly came to when he hit the pool. Fortunately, he WAS wearing a helmet and he didn’t appear more than just shaken. I assume they finished the canyon just fine because we never saw them again.
His partner was NOT wearing a helmet. I can only guess how this would have changed their trip (and ours) had the other guy experienced the fall.