Pictures are posted at http://picasaweb.google.com/sierrasclimber/DeathValleyDolomiteAndHade sCanyons
Dolomite We did Dolomite canyon on Saturday (Jan 19th). The weather was perfect not too hot not too cold just right in a jacket and pants. On the approach we observed a steep canyon in the South Fork of Dolomite, it looks really steep and probably good rock anyone run this? We had planned to traverse to the Albatross plane crash site but felt we might run short on time so instead of climbing Towne Peak and traversing down to the crash site we just entered off the south shoulder of Towne Peak. My guess is it saved us about 2 hours or more and made it into a 7 hour/10.5 mile day. We still encountered the 6 lower raps in Dolomite and 2 in the upper main north fork. Rap #1 50 ft in the upper main is optional because it could be traversed around the side slope, there is an option to do a 200 ft dry fall rap which would require bolts or construction of a large rock stack. Rap 2 is about 20 ft and we did a partner anchor and then I did a pack rap which was exciting for my partners because they had never heard of such a thing. Overall it was a fun canyon but has a long approach hike and long hike out to the car after the last rap.
Rough times 2 hours at top of canyon 2.25 hours 50 ft rap optional 2.5 hours 20 ft partner belay 3.25 hours 2 piton rappel #3 3.75 hours the slot rappel #5 7 hours car
10.5 miles about 8 rappels none over 100 ft. 1) 50ft at 5,400 2) 20ft at 5,200 ft partner belay 3) 45 at 4,580′, 5) 85′ “The Slot” at 4,480′, 5) 80′ at 4,360′, 6) 30′ at 4,240′, 7) 20′ at 4,180′, 8) 40′ at 3,980′
Hades Sunday (Jan 20) we did Hades, it was great! All the anchors had been upgraded to rock stacks and almost all had clean new webbing. Thanks for whoever did that. We started at 6:20 am from Dantes but by 11 found ourselves far ahead of Brennen’s times due to the quality of anchors and exited leisurely at 1:30. Great canyon.
Hades 2.5 hours canyon bottom 3 hour to first rap 3.75 hours canyon junction were two large dry falls are seen up the tributary 7.5 hours to car
about 10-15 raps; none greater than 200 ft.
Monday the college students with us headed home to study so we took a drive around to look at some of the other canyons we might be interested in the future like Rainbow Canyon or Hall Canyon. If you want more detailed information about anything just ask.