I don’t have a ton of time to give a detailed report but just wanted to post some quick info for anyone thinking of doing Imlay in the near future. We went as a group of 5. Three of us, including myself, had never done Imlay. Two members of the group had done with Sneak route with with higher water levels.
Timeline 6/12/2013
0330: Met group camping in the South Campgroud and left for Lava Point around 0400
0500: Hit the West rim trailhead.
1230: Crossroads
1745: Last Rap into Narrows
1919: Sidewalk to the shuttle
2010: Back to truck at Campground.
I forgot to check times in the upper section.
Obstacles we encountered:
1) we put on wetsuits after the first rap into the upper section thinking we would hit deeper water. It was a mistake. Most of us started over heating and had to shed the tops. In hindsight, we would have waited for the lower section.
2) the log soup was a pain in the butt, we found that straddling a large log and riding it across seemed to be the best way to get through the mess. Be very careful when you start working your way through the dried out part of the soup. Several logs became dislodged and fell on two of us. It could have been very bad had the whole thing fell.
3) Several of the first raps in the lower section looked like they were missing anchors, but they were just buried under sand. We found most of them and down climbed the rest.
4) I don’t have a ton of pot hole escape experience but we had a good group and a talented climber that made things easier. The lip on the Big Bertha pot hole was at least 6 feet maybe 7 and some of the lower hook holes have been blown out. Two of us were able to assist the climber to the top of the hole and he meat anchored an aider for the rest of us. I didn’t count the total number of pot hole escapes but it was at least 7 and they were very challenging.
5) The raps off of the log jams were annoying and our gear and clothes kept getting caught on sharp points. I know this may be blasphemy but it would make the canyon so much more enjoyable if there were more bolted anchors at these spots. (Not looking to start a huge anchor debate, just my opinion).
I know other member of the group is on CC so he may chime in with more.
Best of luck if you try Imlay at the current water level.
ScottM
Krampus, you overlooked the driftwood chock within the lower section (shortly after the trash compactor). Since the webbing was new, was that anchor built by your team?
Maclupton
I don’t remember anyone leaving an anchor here, I think we only left one in the upper section.
FYI the hanger in the arch room could stand to be replaced. Direction of pull is off resulting in bent and flexing hanger.
Alternatively you can waste time and balance-rap.
ScottM
Jordy (I know that is not your real name), we had a great day indeed! While I had clothing over my wetsuit as protection, I will definitely remember the elbow/knee padding next time!
I started with a 4/3, and added Tom’s 5/3 hooded vest. Within 15 minutes the vest came off and the 4/3 was sufficient. However, I’m always packing some insulation prior to adding any neoprene. Imlay is definitely a less frigid than this same time last year. However, I would certainly caution anyone reading this to error on the side of too much vs. too little. The lower sections tend to be the coldest and that’s when you are getting lower on the reserves.
Jordy
Just did the full route from Lava Point on Saturday 6/17. 13 hours from Lava Point to last man off rappel in the narrows. Keeper potholes are present but holes to hook are in good condition and good placement for current water level. Buddy boosts, potshot and pack toss also used. Most anchors are in good to fair condition. Very enjoyable day. Experienced crew of four.
ratagonia
Do you need a new wetsuit?
Jordy
Not at all. Did use elbow and knee pads but wetsuit look the same at the end of the day.
ratagonia
What thickness wetsuit did you guys use and did it work?
Tom
Jordy
5/3’s and 5/4’s. No wetsuits used before the crossroads. Was getting a tad cold near the end and put on a rain jacket pull over and was fine.
joeb
“5) The raps off of the log jams were annoying and our gear and clothes kept getting caught on sharp points”
There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that Tom secretly runs through all the canyons at night and re-aligns all the logs and sharp rocks pointy side up in order to sell more gear
ratagonia
Wet suit sales ARE UP!
Rapterman
Congratulations Krampus,
Nice post
(and reply- maybe one of Ratagonia’s best)
Jeff Randall
What? They haven’t gotten the elevator finished at Angels Landing yet? Well damn, see if they get my business anymore!
Why does anyone need good anchors, ropes, wetsuits, harnesses, helmets, belay devices or anything else to go canyoneering. Seems to me if you’re a purist you’d do it without all this cool gear? Just sayin’ I have to agree with Tom on all this. We don’t need no stinking’ canyoneering gear or good anchors!
spinesnaper
Careful there. If I am not mistaken, Tom is making part of his living selling us cool canyon stuff. If it is anodized orange, I am definitely buying.
Ken
spinesnaper
I definitely want the elevator concession to the top of Angels Landing!
BobRoss
Tommy, can you provide some technical feedback? What type of belay device did you use in the 90’s? Have you upgraded to a newer device, or do you use what you used in the 90’s just for the challenge?
Krampus
I’m not going to lie, hot showers at the last rap would be heavenly.
Maclupton
I was on this team as well. Great summary.
Only thing I will add is that the pools down low are quite cold. Most of the team had 4/3’s and were chilly towards the end. I stacked a 4/3 and a 3/2 and was still chilly towards the end… if you get cold make sure you are prepared.
There’s a dry pothole about 12-15 deep with a log jam at the exit that used to have a perfect suspended log over it in June 2015. This log has vanished requiring a difficult jump to the log jam while on rappel. Bring a climber and set up a guided rap for efficiency.
Have fun, unless we see rain the water is only going to get lower.
ratagonia
Nice report, thanks.
And the first to be able to snark:
Oh yes! I have talked to the park about this issue, and they are growing softer trees to replace those logs, but I think they are dragging their feet on doing so, as they say it will be 15-20 years before the soft, non-pointy logs are ready for installation. In the meantime, they have a landscaper/cosmetoligist going in to smooth out those rough spots, although at the moment, they are working on removing the boulders from The Narrows and replacing with pea gravel, for a better walking experience.
The hot showers on that last ledge, where you take off your wetsuit, are similarly on hold, waiting for Congressional funding. The cafe at the break between Narrows – Scott at Deep Creek is working his way through the permitting process, so by fall we might perhaps have hot coffee and scones available there. Bring cash as, shockingly, cell service is not available at that location. Oh and, prices are a bit higher, so bring LOTS of cash. On both those projects, they tell me the end of Heaps has priority since it is within cell service of the Lodge, and they can use Lodge Xanterra facilities to service the cafe and shower facility before the three final rappels. A zip line straight to the Lodge is planned for 2018, but funding has not yet been found. Rumored to be in the 50$ range, reservations suggested when you pick up your canyon permit.
In other news, the elevator inside Angels Landing is about half drilled, but the bids on equipment installation are coming in a little high, so the Park is having yet another bake sale to round up the additional funds. Please check at the Farmer’s Market Saturday mornings at the Bit and Spur lawn – the chocolate chip cookies are awesome and the brownies come from Colorado (wink wink nudge nudge).
Tom
Krampus
I was expecting a post like that and promised not to start a debate so thanks for the thoughtful reply .