Trip Report

UT: Zion – Birch Hollow bolts loosening

I noticed on some of the bolts on the third and second to last rappels in Birch are spinning. One was even wiggling. Just wanted to post this to give a heads up. Both are in spots that could support alternative anchors if needed.

Not to preach to the choir but I was bummed to see that the troglodyte Joe and company scratched their names into the canyon.

Report Details

AuthorSteven Christensen
DateJuly 16, 2015
Region
Discussion5 replies
View original ↗
  • 2065toyota

    I don’t think the bolts were loosening. Some hangars have just worn the rock a little and are spinning. Pretty normal situation. Was there a few weeks ago and didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

    • ratagonia

      Well……..

      That rock in there is very, very soft. As evidenced by the numerous old bolt holes that have cratered out. As the bolts get used, they tend to push on the top rim of the hole and knock away pieces of sand, and the hole gets bigger around and flared out, eventually big enough for the bolt to really move back and forth. Eventually to failure.

      This is a big reason to use 1/2″ bolts – the bolts themselves are stiffer, so they flex less, and even when they do, because they are wider the pressure applied to the rim of the hole is lower, and they probably will not result in significant erosion.

      I’m a little concerned about applying glue. It can solve the problem if applied well, but it could also just hide the problem. TimeBomb!

      ???

      Tom

  • spyderjosh

    Went through birch on the 16th and it looked like someone had used an epoxy to tighten the bolts up. Like jb weld

    Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

    • Brian in SLC

      Ugh. Not sure what type of bolt/stud, but, tightening them with a wrench woulda maybe been a better option…

  • Last time I was in there I spent a few minutes using handfuls of wet sand to try to scrub some scratched graffiti off the walls at the first rap in the Navajo. That erks me to no end.