Fearsome beauty.
Five of us, T.J. Cottam, Ted Agnick, Melissa Webb, Bruce Wilson, had a fun time
working our way through the cold waters of Imlay.
Of course, the biggest challenge, along with the heavy gear, was escaping the
pot holes, which were not full. We resorted to hooks, etriers, partner assists, and an
improvised happy hooker, and plenty of patience and determination.
We had a hammers and drills we never used though it
seemed to me one or two small 3/8 inch holes would have made sense next to the blown out ones already there, or on their very last hair. In two places only an improvised happy hooker got our etrier to a useable hole well beyond our reach while swimming. At one deep keeper we set up a guided rappel using a meat anchor that worked very well. The final free 130′ rappel into The Narrows is far better than famous final rappel in Mystery I think, though less public. T.J. was expert leading the approach and hook outs with great skill and determination. Ted offered remarkable assistance, as did Melissa and Bruce. The trip took 13.5 hours from the Grotto TH to the Temple Shuttle Bus. The approach to the Cross Roads was a brisk 3.5 hours, and from the Narrows to the bus about 2 hours. Photos, with the potholes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/canyonratnyc/sets/72157633666124966/
Be Safe.
Best, Sal Ciro
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Trip Report