Dave and I wanted to do Brimstone from Early Weed Bench to the Dry Fork Trailhead. Dave was strongly advised to do `the beast’ only; with no pack, no helmet, no nuttin’ not even a stick of gum. We took the advise knowing we could always go back and do the top-to-bottom route another day. Carol P., Dave and I headed up the wide wash that is the bottom of Brimstone as it joins Dry Fork. When we came to the last sand dune to escape the canyon, we ate our lunch, drank some water, and figured out what clothing to wear through. We all wanted to go as slim as possible but we also wanted lots of body armor; longs on the arms and legs, plus elbow and knee pads. The problem was it was too hot to wear all that across the desert. Oh, the dilemmas we create by doing these silly little things. With the first of the challenges solved, we tackled the second, a steep sand dune. None of us were thrilled at its prospects, but our backcountry skier, Carol, led up as if it were snow and a wonderful ride down would be our reward. It really was quite easy. We were on sandstone before we could even start to complain. A short walk across the desert brought us to the entry, a steep friction slab to the bottom. The canyon slotted up quickly. Carol soon found a foot long rattle snake. She estimated him to be about 5mm which made him almost cute with his little black button of a rattle. Another ten feet and she found what was left of a jack rabbit. Identifying only the front feet was enough for her to give up the lead. I started downclimbing and sliding through the darkness. The walls were beautifully sculpted and skinny. It was awesome fun. I stopped to rest a moment. Dave and Carol were up canyon. Carol had climbed high to avoid the narrowness. Dave was coaching her back down to ground level. I peered back down canyon into the darkness. There was a spot of blue light reflected on the wall. A daddy long leg was heading rather purposely for my face. I cocked my head slightly into the shadows and the spider marched right past my temple and further up canyon into the darkness again. Spiders don’t bug me. I smiled. Dave was about 10 feet behind me. It was time to go. Brimstone is a seldom done canyon. It was quite a lark slipping, sliding, pushing, and pulling through a darkness that held very few penalty points. It is a beautifully sculpted canyon with light playing through to reveal many interesting features including bridges and `melted’ walls. The canyon started to lighten up. Were we towards the end? We could see with relative ease. Dave was in the front taking photos back at us. The canyon tightened. This section is odd in that, going high doesn’t help. The canyon actually closes off and it appears to be wider at the bottom of the slot. Carol, following her instinct to go up for relief, kept getting pinched off. On her way back to the floor of the canyon she would stop to try any small divot for forward movement. No success, she was still in the same small space she had left minutes ago. Dave and I traded places and he went back to help her. After about ten minutes of pretty intense negotiating, there were sighs of relief. I looked up canyon expecting to find them near me, but, no, all that work had netted 3 feet of gain. Now they needed to repeat. Repeat. I felt that we were in the crux. It would be better to go forward 10 excruciatingly skinny feet then retreat up canyon. It took a bit of coaxing but Carol finally agreed and squirmed and cussed her way forward. After another 20 minutes, we were all in a tiny silo, toe to toe, grinning. The canyon widened to `fun’ size. We had quite a bit to go. Carol was tuckered. She went high the first chance she got and stayed there. I suppose there is nothing like a tight canyon to make you enjoy exposure A few more long winding turns and we met Hank coming up from the bottom. We had done the tight section of Brimstone. It was tight. We worked pretty hard. The next time, we’ll risk small packs, and maybe do the whole thing. http://picasaweb.google.com/davewyo1/Brimstone Penny
Yahoo Canyons Group
Penny Martens
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, Bruce Neumann wrote:
> How small is small? What is your thickness in inches & how easily did you pass (any exhalers?)? I measured by wedging myself between a door and wall and then squeezed out. This will give me a sense of whether it is possible at ground level.
I finally found a door. Ok, well, I had to work also. Last night I squeezed through an opening in the sliding glass door at 7.5 inches. I believe a rock wall in a canyon of the same gap would have been easier to pass through. I would have been able to use a variety of techniques and I think the rock would have been friendlier than the steel frame of the door. My head and upper body slid through as if it were a mile wide. It was my hips that were so constricted. In Brimstone, my hips caught only once and then it was just a slight slowing down. My ribs caught once (two inches higher was the magical space)and I hung there to rest. Then manuevered easily out. For me, in Brim, the body parts that gave me the most trouble were my knees. A few times they just ached from the rock trying to force them to bend in ways they just aren’t meant to bend. They also ached from my feet facing outward for such a long time. At one point, I bent at the waist and stuck my leg straight up so I could turn it the other direction. There were only 2 places where I couldn’t turn my head, but it was only momentary. I looked at all the photos, again. There aren’t any that came out that show just how narrow the place is. I took several of Carol and Dave at the crux, but Dave’s camera and I don’t always communicate well. I hope some of this helped. Penny
adkramoo
Congratulations to the recent descenders of the Beast, in Brimstone! This a a place to test the composure of the stoutest minds! Penny’s description of techniques used brings back memories and shudders and should be read carefully to fully grasp the nature of the commitment.
Bruce, several folks larger than you have descended the Beast in the past, but you can expect to have that “full body contact” you allude to when talking about exhaling, in your inquiry. The micro route finding can not be underestimated as a necessary skill set. Penny and Dave (And Hank when he gets after it) are among the best “moles” out there and there was only one picture I saw that gave any sense of the place. When your fully engaged, photography is not a priority! 😉
Ranger Bill Wolverton and Mike Kelsey have retreated from this exercise, both believing it not possible. This speaks volumes and adds luster to the recent descent. Congrats
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Penny Martens” wrote:
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, Bruce Neumann wrote:
> How small is small? What is your thickness in inches & how easily > did you pass (any exhalers?)?
If exhaling is the only tool ya got, you probably shouldn’t go. > Tunneling, stretching your spine, belly dancing, squatting while wedged > between walls, bending at waist and twisting torso past a pinch then > wedging shoulders and twisting at waist to follow through the same > constriction… I can see a whole class on the fine art of travelling > the skinnies. Maybe Dave and I could get some pics to demonstrate next > time we’re out. > In the meantime, a challenging game of Twister might be helpful. > I measured by wedging myself between a door and wall and then squeezed > out. This will give me a sense of whether it is possible at ground > level.
Good question. Let me go find a door…and a yard stick. > Penny >
onkaluna
Nice TR, Penny! But…I am astonished no mention of the many fine caterpillars in there to ease the passage. Here’s a shot with a few in it…how many do you count?
http://tinyurl.com/5dz2vb
Penny Martens
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, Bruce Neumann wrote:
> How small is small? What is your thickness in inches & how easily did you pass (any exhalers?)?
If exhaling is the only tool ya got, you probably shouldn’t go. Tunneling, stretching your spine, belly dancing, squatting while wedged between walls, bending at waist and twisting torso past a pinch then wedging shoulders and twisting at waist to follow through the same constriction… I can see a whole class on the fine art of travelling the skinnies. Maybe Dave and I could get some pics to demonstrate next time we’re out. In the meantime, a challenging game of Twister might be helpful. I measured by wedging myself between a door and wall and then squeezed out. This will give me a sense of whether it is possible at ground level.
Good question. Let me go find a door…and a yard stick. Penny
Penny Martens
Ahh, that Carol. You better keep an eye on her. Her Clark-Kentien costume is slipping frequently these days. When I get back to my own computer in a few hours, I’ll see if I can put up some narrower pics that do it justice. They won’t be quality, but perhaps indicative.
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, bruce silliman wrote:
> I commend Carol for getting through there and I’m sure those pictures just do not do it justice.
bruce from bryce
> To: canyons@…: penmartens@…: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:46:19 +0000Subject: Re: [from Canyons Group] Brimstone and Photos
> Yes, Bruce that is the section. In fact, it was your TR that reminded us we wanted to do Brimstone.Yes, we are small. One of us not so small after a winter of inactivity. I think the real key is to ENJOY the tightness. Any fear or tension just adds to the problem. A few more canyons like that an Carol will be ‘masterful’. Her unshakeable, calm demeanor was her greatest asset in there.It was great fun; admittedly not for everyone.Penny— In Yahoo Canyons Group, bruce silliman wrote:>
Is this the section that Tom’s description says to ‘not’ enter or is the middle part? Thanks.
bruce from bryce
p.s. upper Brimstone from Early Weed was an enjoyable jaunt during the ACA Escalante/Zion Rondy
> To: canyons@: penmartens@: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:42:01 +0000Subject: [from Canyons Group] Brimstone and Photos
> Dave and I wanted to do Brimstone from Early Weed Bench to the Dry Fork Trailhead. Dave was strongly advised to do `the beast’ only; with no pack, no helmet, no nuttin’ not even a stick of gum. We took the advise knowing we could always go back and do the top-to-bottom route another day.Carol P., Dave and I headed up the wide wash that is the bottom of Brimstone as it joins Dry Fork. When we came to the last sand dune to escape the canyon, we ate our lunch, drank some water, and figured out what clothing to wear through. We all wanted to go as slim as possible but we also wanted lots of body armor; longs on the arms and legs, plus elbow and knee pads. The problem was it was too hot to wear all that across the desert. Oh, the dilemmas we create by doing these silly little things.With the first of the challenges solved, we tackled the second, a steep sand dune. None of us were thrilled at its prospects, but our backcountry skier, Carol, led up as if it were snow and a wonderful ride down would be our reward. It really was quite easy. We were on sandstone before we could even start to complain.A short walk across the desert brought us to the entry, a steep friction slab to the bottom. The canyon slotted up quickly. Carol soon found a foot long rattle snake. She estimated him to be about 5mm which made him almost cute with his little black button of a rattle. Another ten feet and she found what was left of a jack rabbit. Identifying only the front feet was enough for her to give up the lead. I started downclimbing and sliding through the darkness. The walls were beautifully sculpted and skinny. It was awesome fun. I stopped to rest a moment. Dave and Carol were up canyon. Carol had climbed high to avoid the narrowness. Dave was coaching her back down to ground level. I peered back down canyon into the darkness. There was a spot of blue light reflected on the wall. A daddy long leg was heading rather purposely for my face. I cocked my head slightly into the shadows and the spider marched right past my temple and further up canyon into the darkness again. Spiders don’t bug me. I smiled. Dave was about 10 feet behind me. It was time to go. Brimstone is a seldom done canyon. It was quite a lark slipping, sliding, pushing, and pulling through a darkness that held very few penalty points. It is a beautifully sculpted canyon with light playing through to reveal many interesting features including bridges and `melted’ walls. The canyon started to lighten up. Were we towards the end? We could see with relative ease. Dave was in the front taking photos back at us. The canyon tightened. This section is odd in that, going high doesn’t help. The canyon actually closes off and it appears to be wider at the bottom of the slot. Carol, following her instinct to go up for relief, kept getting pinched off. On her way back to the floor of the canyon she would stop to try any small divot for forward movement. No success, she was still in the same small space she had left minutes ago. Dave and I traded places and he went back to help her. After about ten minutes of pretty intense negotiating, there were sighs of relief. I looked up canyon expecting to find them near me, but, no, all that work had netted 3 feet of gain. Now they needed to repeat. Repeat.I felt that we were in the crux. It would be better to go forward 10 excruciatingly skinny feet then retreat up canyon. It took a bit of coaxing but Carol finally agreed and squirmed and cussed her way forward. After another 20 minutes, we were all in a tiny silo, toe to toe, grinning. The canyon widened to `fun’ size. We had quite a bit to go. Carol was tuckered. She went high the first chance she got and stayed there. I suppose there is nothing like a tight canyon to make you enjoy exposure A few more long winding turns and we met Hank coming up from the bottom.We had done the tight section of Brimstone. It was tight. We worked pretty hard. The next time, we’ll risk small packs, and maybe do the whole thing.http://picasaweb.google.com/davewyo1/BrimstonePenny Back to work after baby–how do you know when you’re ready?> http://lifestyle.msn.com/familyandparenting/articleNW.aspx?cp- documentid=5797498&ocid=T067MSN40A0701A
_______________ > Make i’m yours. Create a custom banner to support your cause. > http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Contribute/Default.aspx? source=TXT_TAGHM_MSN_Make_IM_Yours
>
bruce silliman
I commend Carol for getting through there and I’m sure those pictures just do not do it justice.
bruce from bryce
To: canyons@yahoogroups.comFrom: penmartens@yahoo.comDate: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:46:19 +0000Subject: Re: [from Canyons Group] Brimstone and Photos
Yes, Bruce that is the section. In fact, it was your TR that reminded us we wanted to do Brimstone.Yes, we are small. One of us not so small after a winter of inactivity. I think the real key is to ENJOY the tightness. Any fear or tension just adds to the problem. A few more canyons like that an Carol will be ‘masterful’. Her unshakeable, calm demeanor was her greatest asset in there.It was great fun; admittedly not for everyone.Penny— In Yahoo Canyons Group, bruce silliman wrote:>
Is this the section that Tom’s description says to ‘not’ enter or is the middle part? Thanks.
bruce from bryce
p.s. upper Brimstone from Early Weed was an enjoyable jaunt during the ACA Escalante/Zion Rondy
> To: canyons@…: penmartens@…: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:42:01 +0000Subject: [from Canyons Group] Brimstone and Photos
> Dave and I wanted to do Brimstone from Early Weed Bench to the Dry Fork Trailhead. Dave was strongly advised to do `the beast’ only; with no pack, no helmet, no nuttin’ not even a stick of gum. We took the advise knowing we could always go back and do the top-to-bottom route another day.Carol P., Dave and I headed up the wide wash that is the bottom of Brimstone as it joins Dry Fork. When we came to the last sand dune to escape the canyon, we ate our lunch, drank some water, and figured out what clothing to wear through. We all wanted to go as slim as possible but we also wanted lots of body armor; longs on the arms and legs, plus elbow and knee pads. The problem was it was too hot to wear all that across the desert. Oh, the dilemmas we create by doing these silly little things.With the first of the challenges solved, we tackled the second, a steep sand dune. None of us were thrilled at its prospects, but our backcountry skier, Carol, led up as if it were snow and a wonderful ride down would be our reward. It really was quite easy. We were on sandstone before we could even start to complain.A short walk across the desert brought us to the entry, a steep friction slab to the bottom. The canyon slotted up quickly. Carol soon found a foot long rattle snake. She estimated him to be about 5mm which made him almost cute with his little black button of a rattle. Another ten feet and she found what was left of a jack rabbit. Identifying only the front feet was enough for her to give up the lead. I started downclimbing and sliding through the darkness. The walls were beautifully sculpted and skinny. It was awesome fun. I stopped to rest a moment. Dave and Carol were up canyon. Carol had climbed high to avoid the narrowness. Dave was coaching her back down to ground level. I peered back down canyon into the darkness. There was a spot of blue light reflected on the wall. A daddy long leg was heading rather purposely for my face. I cocked my head slightly into the shadows and the spider marched right past my temple and further up canyon into the darkness again. Spiders don’t bug me. I smiled. Dave was about 10 feet behind me. It was time to go. Brimstone is a seldom done canyon. It was quite a lark slipping, sliding, pushing, and pulling through a darkness that held very few penalty points. It is a beautifully sculpted canyon with light playing through to reveal many interesting features including bridges and `melted’ walls. The canyon started to lighten up. Were we towards the end? We could see with relative ease. Dave was in the front taking photos back at us. The canyon tightened. This section is odd in that, going high doesn’t help. The canyon actually closes off and it appears to be wider at the bottom of the slot. Carol, following her instinct to go up for relief, kept getting pinched off. On her way back to the floor of the canyon she would stop to try any small divot for forward movement. No success, she was still in the same small space she had left minutes ago. Dave and I traded places and he went back to help her. After about ten minutes of pretty intense negotiating, there were sighs of relief. I looked up canyon expecting to find them near me, but, no, all that work had netted 3 feet of gain. Now they needed to repeat. Repeat.I felt that we were in the crux. It would be better to go forward 10 excruciatingly skinny feet then retreat up canyon. It took a bit of coaxing but Carol finally agreed and squirmed and cussed her way forward. After another 20 minutes, we were all in a tiny silo, toe to toe, grinning. The canyon widened to `fun’ size. We had quite a bit to go. Carol was tuckered. She went high the first chance she got and stayed there. I suppose there is nothing like a tight canyon to make you enjoy exposure A few more long winding turns and we met Hank coming up from the bottom.We had done the tight section of Brimstone. It was tight. We worked pretty hard. The next time, we’ll risk small packs, and maybe do the whole thing.http://picasaweb.google.com/davewyo1/BrimstonePenny Back to work after baby–how do you know when you’re ready?> http://lifestyle.msn.com/familyandparenting/articleNW.aspx?cp-documentid=5797498&ocid=T067MSN40A0701A
>
_______________ Make i’m yours. Create a custom banner to support your cause. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Contribute/Default.aspx?source=TXT_TAGHM_MSN_Make_IM_Yours
bruce silliman
Yes concerning Dave and Penny and yes Carol is small in height. I’m sure it was somewhat of a struggle for her.
bruce from bryce
To: canyons@yahoogroups.comFrom: ratagonia@gmail.comDate: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:29:46 +0000Subject: Re: [from Canyons Group] Brimstone and Photos
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, bruce silliman wrote:>
Is this the section that Tom’s description says to ‘not’ enter or is the middle part? Thanks.
bruce from bryce
p.s. upper Brimstone from Early Weed was an enjoyable jaunt during > the ACA Escalante/Zion Rondy
Yes. And I hope people realize Penny and Dave are skinny-canyon-go-low masters, and Carol is rather small (though, apparantly, not as masterful at the contortions required).Tom
_______________ Express yourself wherever you are. Mobilize! http://www.gowindowslive.com/Mobile/Landing/Messenger/Default.aspx?Locale=en-US?ocid=TAG_APRIL
Bruce Neumann
How small is small? What is your thickness in inches & how easily did you pass (any exhalers?)? I measured by wedging myself between a door and wall and then squeezed out. This will give me a sense of whether it is possible at ground level.
Nice Pictures and TR Bruce
To: canyons@yahoogroups.comFrom: ratagonia@gmail.comDate: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:29:46 +0000Subject: Re: [from Canyons Group] Brimstone and Photos
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, bruce silliman wrote:>
Is this the section that Tom’s description says to ‘not’ enter or is the middle part? Thanks.
bruce from bryce
p.s. upper Brimstone from Early Weed was an enjoyable jaunt during > the ACA Escalante/Zion Rondy
Yes. And I hope people realize Penny and Dave are skinny-canyon-go-low masters, and Carol is rather small (though, apparantly, not as masterful at the contortions required).Tom
_______________ Spell a grand slam in this game where word skill meets World Series. Get in the game. http://club.live.com/word_slugger.aspx?icid=word_slugger_wlhm_admod_april08
Penny Martens
Yes, Bruce that is the section. In fact, it was your TR that reminded us we wanted to do Brimstone. Yes, we are small. One of us not so small after a winter of inactivity. I think the real key is to ENJOY the tightness. Any fear or tension just adds to the problem. A few more canyons like that an Carol will be ‘masterful’. Her unshakeable, calm demeanor was her greatest asset in there. It was great fun; admittedly not for everyone. Penny
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, bruce silliman wrote:
> Is this the section that Tom’s description says to ‘not’ enter or is the middle part? Thanks.
bruce from bryce
p.s. upper Brimstone from Early Weed was an enjoyable jaunt during the ACA Escalante/Zion Rondy
> To: canyons@…: penmartens@…: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:42:01 +0000Subject: [from Canyons Group] Brimstone and Photos
> Dave and I wanted to do Brimstone from Early Weed Bench to the Dry Fork Trailhead. Dave was strongly advised to do `the beast’ only; with no pack, no helmet, no nuttin’ not even a stick of gum. We took the advise knowing we could always go back and do the top-to-bottom route another day.Carol P., Dave and I headed up the wide wash that is the bottom of Brimstone as it joins Dry Fork. When we came to the last sand dune to escape the canyon, we ate our lunch, drank some water, and figured out what clothing to wear through. We all wanted to go as slim as possible but we also wanted lots of body armor; longs on the arms and legs, plus elbow and knee pads. The problem was it was too hot to wear all that across the desert. Oh, the dilemmas we create by doing these silly little things.With the first of the challenges solved, we tackled the second, a steep sand dune. None of us were thrilled at its prospects, but our backcountry skier, Carol, led up as if it were snow and a wonderful ride down would be our reward. It really was quite easy. We were on sandstone before we could even start to complain.A short walk across the desert brought us to the entry, a steep friction slab to the bottom. The canyon slotted up quickly. Carol soon found a foot long rattle snake. She estimated him to be about 5mm which made him almost cute with his little black button of a rattle. Another ten feet and she found what was left of a jack rabbit. Identifying only the front feet was enough for her to give up the lead. I started downclimbing and sliding through the darkness. The walls were beautifully sculpted and skinny. It was awesome fun. I stopped to rest a moment. Dave and Carol were up canyon. Carol had climbed high to avoid the narrowness. Dave was coaching her back down to ground level. I peered back down canyon into the darkness. There was a spot of blue light reflected on the wall. A daddy long leg was heading rather purposely for my face. I cocked my head slightly into the shadows and the spider marched right past my temple and further up canyon into the darkness again. Spiders don’t bug me. I smiled. Dave was about 10 feet behind me. It was time to go. Brimstone is a seldom done canyon. It was quite a lark slipping, sliding, pushing, and pulling through a darkness that held very few penalty points. It is a beautifully sculpted canyon with light playing through to reveal many interesting features including bridges and `melted’ walls. The canyon started to lighten up. Were we towards the end? We could see with relative ease. Dave was in the front taking photos back at us. The canyon tightened. This section is odd in that, going high doesn’t help. The canyon actually closes off and it appears to be wider at the bottom of the slot. Carol, following her instinct to go up for relief, kept getting pinched off. On her way back to the floor of the canyon she would stop to try any small divot for forward movement. No success, she was still in the same small space she had left minutes ago. Dave and I traded places and he went back to help her. After about ten minutes of pretty intense negotiating, there were sighs of relief. I looked up canyon expecting to find them near me, but, no, all that work had netted 3 feet of gain. Now they needed to repeat. Repeat.I felt that we were in the crux. It would be better to go forward 10 excruciatingly skinny feet then retreat up canyon. It took a bit of coaxing but Carol finally agreed and squirmed and cussed her way forward. After another 20 minutes, we were all in a tiny silo, toe to toe, grinning. The canyon widened to `fun’ size. We had quite a bit to go. Carol was tuckered. She went high the first chance she got and stayed there. I suppose there is nothing like a tight canyon to make you enjoy exposure A few more long winding turns and we met Hank coming up from the bottom.We had done the tight section of Brimstone. It was tight. We worked pretty hard. The next time, we’ll risk small packs, and maybe do the whole thing.http://picasaweb.google.com/davewyo1/BrimstonePenny Back to work after baby–how do you know when you’re ready? > http://lifestyle.msn.com/familyandparenting/articleNW.aspx?cp- documentid=5797498&ocid=T067MSN40A0701A
>
Tom Jones
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, bruce silliman wrote:
> Is this the section that Tom’s description says to ‘not’ enter or is the middle part? Thanks.
bruce from bryce
p.s. upper Brimstone from Early Weed was an enjoyable jaunt during > the ACA Escalante/Zion Rondy
Yes. And I hope people realize Penny and Dave are skinny-canyon-go- low masters, and Carol is rather small (though, apparantly, not as masterful at the contortions required).
Tom
bruce silliman
Is this the section that Tom’s description says to ‘not’ enter or is the middle part? Thanks.
bruce from bryce
p.s. upper Brimstone from Early Weed was an enjoyable jaunt during the ACA Escalante/Zion Rondy
To: canyons@yahoogroups.comFrom: penmartens@yahoo.comDate: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:42:01 +0000Subject: [from Canyons Group] Brimstone and Photos
Dave and I wanted to do Brimstone from Early Weed Bench to the Dry Fork Trailhead. Dave was strongly advised to do `the beast’ only; with no pack, no helmet, no nuttin’ not even a stick of gum. We took the advise knowing we could always go back and do the top-to-bottom route another day.Carol P., Dave and I headed up the wide wash that is the bottom of Brimstone as it joins Dry Fork. When we came to the last sand dune to escape the canyon, we ate our lunch, drank some water, and figured out what clothing to wear through. We all wanted to go as slim as possible but we also wanted lots of body armor; longs on the arms and legs, plus elbow and knee pads. The problem was it was too hot to wear all that across the desert. Oh, the dilemmas we create by doing these silly little things.With the first of the challenges solved, we tackled the second, a steep sand dune. None of us were thrilled at its prospects, but our backcountry skier, Carol, led up as if it were snow and a wonderful ride down would be our reward. It really was quite easy. We were on sandstone before we could even start to complain.A short walk across the desert brought us to the entry, a steep friction slab to the bottom. The canyon slotted up quickly. Carol soon found a foot long rattle snake. She estimated him to be about 5mm which made him almost cute with his little black button of a rattle. Another ten feet and she found what was left of a jack rabbit. Identifying only the front feet was enough for her to give up the lead. I started downclimbing and sliding through the darkness. The walls were beautifully sculpted and skinny. It was awesome fun. I stopped to rest a moment. Dave and Carol were up canyon. Carol had climbed high to avoid the narrowness. Dave was coaching her back down to ground level. I peered back down canyon into the darkness. There was a spot of blue light reflected on the wall. A daddy long leg was heading rather purposely for my face. I cocked my head slightly into the shadows and the spider marched right past my temple and further up canyon into the darkness again. Spiders don’t bug me. I smiled. Dave was about 10 feet behind me. It was time to go. Brimstone is a seldom done canyon. It was quite a lark slipping, sliding, pushing, and pulling through a darkness that held very few penalty points. It is a beautifully sculpted canyon with light playing through to reveal many interesting features including bridges and `melted’ walls. The canyon started to lighten up. Were we towards the end? We could see with relative ease. Dave was in the front taking photos back at us. The canyon tightened. This section is odd in that, going high doesn’t help. The canyon actually closes off and it appears to be wider at the bottom of the slot. Carol, following her instinct to go up for relief, kept getting pinched off. On her way back to the floor of the canyon she would stop to try any small divot for forward movement. No success, she was still in the same small space she had left minutes ago. Dave and I traded places and he went back to help her. After about ten minutes of pretty intense negotiating, there were sighs of relief. I looked up canyon expecting to find them near me, but, no, all that work had netted 3 feet of gain. Now they needed to repeat. Repeat.I felt that we were in the crux. It would be better to go forward 10 excruciatingly skinny feet then retreat up canyon. It took a bit of coaxing but Carol finally agreed and squirmed and cussed her way forward. After another 20 minutes, we were all in a tiny silo, toe to toe, grinning. The canyon widened to `fun’ size. We had quite a bit to go. Carol was tuckered. She went high the first chance she got and stayed there. I suppose there is nothing like a tight canyon to make you enjoy exposure A few more long winding turns and we met Hank coming up from the bottom.We had done the tight section of Brimstone. It was tight. We worked pretty hard. The next time, we’ll risk small packs, and maybe do the whole thing.http://picasaweb.google.com/davewyo1/BrimstonePenny
_______________ Back to work after baby–how do you know when you’re ready? http://lifestyle.msn.com/familyandparenting/articleNW.aspx?cp-documentid=5797498&ocid=T067MSN40A0701A