Some unofficial stats from FreezeFest XIII.
There were 42 folks who attended FF this year according to my ‘made up right now” rules. I did not count the folks I did telephone with who did not come east to Sandthrax, nor the folks that did a canyon in Grand Canyon, Yankee Doodle, Death Valley etc.. I did count the 4 folks from Idaho who met with and did a canyon with folks who had been at Sandthrax camp just an hour earlier. That was close enough for horseshoes and hand grenades. I did not count the fella who met them in Arches.
This was the lowest turnout since FF VII which had 38 folks. Subsequent number counts to the present have been 52, 54, 72, 74, 54 into this year.
It was the first time that the Black Hole was not done on January 1st, breaking a 12 year run.
There were 11 females and 31 males and 2 dogs. The female % was a bit lower than the average which is very close to 30%.
People came and stayed for longer periods than usual, or so it seemed.
About 3 separate trips went out each day.
I think the 26th was the only day that got into the 40’s and barely did. Highs hovered a few degrees above freezing for most of the fest.
Only one day was particularly windy
Overnight temps were generally in the teens. One AM may have dipped to 9 degrees and the snowy New Years Eve was by far the warmest, being a balmy mid 20’s
Overall a colder than normal.
Three people traveled from Chicago, approx 1,800 miles
For the first 4 days of the fest there were as many people from Arizona as from all other places combined.
All came through the event without incident or injury except one vehicle and one tent.
Much food and drink was shared.
Many canyons done and bonds formed between the snow flakes
Trip Report
skeeter
Kuenn, we did it as a true simul. The top was covered in ice and snow making it a low start kinda deal. We tied a 8mm and an 8.3 together with an eight follow through. I’m kinda ashamed for doing it, the icy top helped me justify the pull but in the summer I wouldn’t have went through with it. I suppose if you hauled a bucket load of ropes and pull cords through the canyon you could fiddle? The 8mm was just long enough so we positioned the knot biased.
Canyonero, that was my buddy Dusten. He was the last one across the ice. I swam across…. This trip was an absolute blast. This is an example of making the best of a less than perfect situation. Darn snow. Heading back to the wash this next weekend for all those canyons we had planned for this trip.
Skye
Kuenn
a tad more dicey?
Good call.
We’ve had Medieval on the list a couple of times, when we were in Moab; just haven’t squeezed it in yet. Thanks for the info.
basia
Hi to all Canyoneering Community! It took a while to be approved,finally I got. Wanted to say a huge Thanks for your hospitality, kindness and just for letting us to have a chance to rub off some mojo from you!! It was a religious experience for me. Hope for more…I have a little request,if some of you could share,send me a pictures taken during that enchanted gathering? I’d appreciate that. My email:baraarom@yahoo.com. My FB: Barbara Mora. Thxs. Basia.
Canyonero
I feel like such a wuss reading this thread. And who let Ram wield a hammer? Seriously, get that thing away from him. The back of it has sharp edges.
Taylor, you’re an animal, but the best picture in this thread was that one of whoever belly crawling across the ice. One of my favorite canyoneering photos ever.
Ram
Matt…let me pic your brain on how properly use that thing
Ram
I don’t know about being a pro, but I have not crushed a finger yet. The hammer is the only tool I own. You could revoke my “guy badge” but they never gave me one to start with. AND I stole that hammer…it was from a relative so no felonies or misdemeanors. I had just dropped it in the deep snow in the above picture. Eventually found it, although one of my 8 stakes is still somewhere there. Sigh.
Jenny
Another photo from New Year’s Day, 2015 surfaces. This one is from Double A (aka Andy Archibald).
Ram, finds his lost tool.
It is fairly well known that he’s a fool with sharp tools.
Good friends and his family, usually protect him from touching them.
You’ll see him draw back in horror if you pass him a knife!
But don’t let him fool you, he can wield a hammer like a pro.
skeeter
Day two, a little breakfast in Moab and some snooping for beta online and we were able to find what we needed to do Medieval Chambers. Before leaving town we ran into a guy named Tom from Alaska. Tom asked if he could tag along, reluctantly I explained I have never done this canyon before and he would more or less be along for the ride. He assured he had no problem with this and felt very comfortable on rope. This turned out to be a fun addition to our crew, Tom was a very laid back interesting person and I felt this needed to be added to this report. The whole trip was full of new faces and made the trip that much more enjoyable. The shuttle was left, in the car we go up to the tower to start our approach hike. Though the ground was rather clear there was still snow found in the canyon. The approach was pretty short a little route finding but other than that. There were two anchors at the start one that looked like absolute death and one on the adjacent wall that looked rather newish with no sketchy ice.
Stick your ass out!
Cameron in the chamber
This route was pretty short. Two raps and finish the hike out of (cough) Negro Bill Canyon. Part of the allure was a simultaneous rap on the arch which I’m not sure how people feel about. The arch itself was covered in snow so rope pull was effortless we used a 120′ 8mm on the pull down side it was quite a finish to an otherwise not too eventful canyon.
Back in the shuttle vehicle we cruised up the road to view some of the amazing towers Moab has to offer. Then back to town for a quick bite to eat, then bed in our $50 hotel for the evening like true dirt bags.
Kuenn
Nice pictures on the simul-rap at Morning Glory. Did you do it as a true simul-rap? (I don’t know if there is even hardware up there to block one side.) I’ve simul-rapped trees and hardware anchors, but not a bridge – like that. Just curious…details?