Constrychnine and East Leprechaun

Tom,

Your perspective and advice are ALWAYS much appreciated, so please…no apologies necessary for the whipping. Whippings are necessary now and then to keep folks safe. So yes, while I have experience in, and feel comfortable with, the Poison Springs canyons, I have not done them in winter, so we’ll stay outta there. You’re right. 2 people, when one person is not experienced does not make a stellar team in uncertain and dangerous conditions. And yeah, I love nothing more than building deadman anchors! The question about the bolt in Constrychnine was more a curiosity than anything else.

We’ll stick to the Irish Canyons this trip, i.e. Blarney, Shillelagh and East Lep only, all of which I’ve done in varied conditions.

Incidentally, if anyone else is getting cabin fever right about now, and would care to join us for one or more of these next week, you are most welcome.

Thanks,

Mike

— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:

Ram and I have had many conversations about the new popularity of canyoneering in winter by people who don’t seem to understand the consequences. Thank you for not placing yourself in that category – and asking about a canyon you have done many times before – and my apology for pouncing on your post as a whipping-opportunity for something Ram and I have been concerned about for a while.

My main concern is in relation to people doing in winter canyons they have not done before. A good understanding of what is in the canyons is vital in winter, as the recent accident in MMI demonstrates. We have seen many rescues in winter in the last couple of years, most easily avoidable – people making (what appear to me to be) obvious mistakes.

One of those mistakes is to go in small groups. Two people in winter – very dicey. A broken leg in winter can equal death, if insufficient resources are on hand to go get help AND stay with the victim or move the victim to a rescueable/bivyable place.

So, good questions. The temperature just dropped 20 degrees and it is cold cold cold!

Those Poison Springs canyons face north, making them pleasant in summer and not so pleasant in winter. Not the best choice for a 2-person team. I personally would only do a 2-person winter descent with anyone other than a top-skill canyoneer such as Ram, Malia or Wyoming Dave. And I would bring a sleeping bag and stove/food.

If you are competent to take a beginner down a remote canyon, then it really does not matter whether that bolt is in place or not, right? Because you could build a deadman pretty fast, right?

Tom

> — In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Michael” wrote:

Hi Ram,

Hmmm…as always, you make good points. I have been down Constrychnine twice before but never in winter, I must confess. My Dad’s largest rap to date is about 100 feet. Actually, probably closer to 120-130 ft. So this will be his biggest, so far. I chose this as one of the canyons because there are not a lot of high downnclimbs to freak him out. Indeed there are only the two of us, but I have taken newbies down both Arscenic and Constrychnine before. Although, not in winter, as you prudently point out.

Do you think this is perhaps not the best time of year for a 2 person descent, when one is experienced and the other is a newbie?

Thanks!

Mike

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Hi Ram,

Hmmm…as always, you make good points. I have been down Constrychnine twice before but never in winter, I must confess. My Dad’s largest rap to date is about 100 feet. Actually, probably closer to 120-130 ft. So this will be his biggest, so far. I chose this as one of the canyons because there are not a lot of high downnclimbs to freak him out. Indeed there are only the two of us, but I have taken newbies down both Arscenic and Constrychnine before. Although, not in winter, as you prudently point out. Do you think this is perhaps not the best time of year for a 2 person descent, when one is experienced and the other is a newbie?

Thanks! Mike

— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “RAM” wrote:

Hi Michael

I have no first hand info, but do have a feel for Constrychnine in the winter. The canyon is deep, gets less sun than its neighbors and holds a bit of snow. It also has pools to the thigh, almost for certain and care needed not to go deeper at the slab rap (last one). Add the waiting around for raps and it is a cold place. I would go with a wetsuit, even if it were pretty dry, this time of year, for its armor and warmth. Your dad used to big raps? Just 2 of you? Nice to have experience above and below in that canyon with a Newby. The project to remove the bolt was postponed, by us anyway, due to snow preventing access to the area, during FreezeFest.

Ram

> — In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Michael” wrote:

Hi Everyone,

I am taking my Dad to the North Wash next week from Tuesday through Friday to celebrate his turning 60 years. Was wondering if anyone has been down Constrychnine and East Lep in the last week or two and what the conditions are currently. I’ve been watching the weather closely and it seems that it has gotten warm-ish and perhaps dried out a bit after the big snows during Freeze Fest and the many rains earlier this fall. Am I just being absurdly (i.e. dangerously) optimistic? I’m basically wondering if these two are dry enough now to be descended without a wetsuit? My dad is somewhat new to canyoneering, so I also don’t want to skimp and have him be miserable. After all, it is supposed to be celebratory!

Also, is the new bolt that Tom Jones installed in Constrychnine still there, or did that get removed during FF?

Thanks for any info you all can offer.

Mike

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