Leprechaun
The last time I dedicated a day to this canyon was at a FreezeFest about 6 or 7 years ago. It was full on snow and storming to boot. A very talented group, did many a belly crawl, captures and were forced to set up 6 anchors to get through the canyon. We laughed heartily, imagining others seeing our anchors, after the snows melted and derisively laughing at some newby’s over caution.That was the day I learned that in real winter conditions, the flat areas of a canyon like this one has, makes it much harder when snow covered. A Shimrock (Middle Lep) is much easier in the snow than East Lep. Before that descent, I had often done this canyon as a way back to camp after doing any of the 3 West Butler Canyons (Monkey Business, Shenanigans, Fooling Around) as the top of Lep is only a 10+ minute hike from the top of the Kelsey Exit. Easy right into camp.
The night before doing the canyon, I was asked by Laura to take her and Marshall through the canyon. By the next AM when I went looking for them, they were gone and other trips had departed. But the day was rescued as Deeps, Bill, Nate and Dean were up for the casual mosey through. Thus the last day of the year was spent in this way. Some other pictures added from 2 days before, including the Fests best sunrise. Good lighting all around these days. Love winter
nathanslc
Ill admit I was relieved to do this one after the car wreck that was Chambers.
Bill
Good times!