Was out with some of the ZAC folks for a few days in the ol’ wash. Got in late so I did a quick solo West Lep. Had a nice surprise right at the confluence of all forks…..a bone chilling pool that got deeper and deeper as I went forth. I retreated. After a few moments, I started to accept my fate. Involuntary cold noises followed, “EEE OOOO EEE aaehehh FUUU dduuuu” but I know how to swim so it was ok.
Lep Road
That night it rained for many hours. In the morning we did Morocco with a few swims, and in the afternoon we did West Blarney.
Just around 9 or so that night, thoughts of early bedtime were mentioned. But not so fast! Up came a stranger to let us know someone was stuck on a “climbing route” near Hog Spring. Well we knew what that meant. As he went off for SAR we packed up. You can read about the ordeal in another thread Tom made. 2.5 hours after starting Hogwarts, we were back at the pavement just as the Sheriff rolled up. Perfect. Lessons: Don’t drop your rope in a super deep pool. Don’t wear cotton clothes in a wet canyon. Wear a helmet. Carry an extra rope….and so on. There were probably a lot of mistakes made by these dudes honestly.
I went off to Prankfest from here. Roost territory, a place I don’t like to go cause its way out on dirt roads and I had found most canyons in the area uninspiring. I rolled into camp midday so everyone was out. I went and checked out Smallcatraz – or more simply: NEFTCB. Man this thing is a classic! Right on par with Alcatraz and Chambers in my opinion. The Roost is cooler than I thought! After quite a bit of baffonery that night, a group of us decided on Squeeze/East/Main Bluejohn. Squeeze was nice and physical, and soon we were dumped into a very long pool in the East Fork (thanks for the heads up Tom). Climbing up the main with really muddy shoes wasn’t easy. Next day we did Little West of BJ. We were able to exit up some slabs rather quickly after entering Main. Probably won’t repeat that one.
Planet Smallcatraz
Allison swimming in East Fork BJ
All the FOTOS: https://picasaweb.google.com/107561442771983387605/NorthWashRobberSRoost
Anyway, I’ve been out a lot lately so maybe I’ll write some more reports from fall.
Mike
Lisa
Nice report. We also experienced that cold surprise swim at the end of the Leps. It was late in the day and a cold wind was blowing. Not a wetsuit among us. Similar noises ensued as we swam through the cold water, and also some profanity from the beginners we took through East Fork Lep that day. Brrr! It was a memorable swim for them, I’m sure!
Mike
Nice to see you out there this week. You are livin’ the dream in that wagon!