Oct. 2008 Trip Report: Beginner’s Guide to Arches, Canyonlands, and Moab
Nov 10th, 2008, 06:14 AM
#42
I love the Grand Gallery Idea. I stayed at "the cowboy Motel 6" aka The Rim Rock Inn in Torrey, at at the Captiol Reef Inn Cafe and really both were okay and not badly priced.
I've got a slight nervousness about heights so I'm not so sure about the rappeling. I'd probably be fine after I was clipped into the harness. It's the getting there that might be an issue!
I've got a slight nervousness about heights so I'm not so sure about the rappeling. I'd probably be fine after I was clipped into the harness. It's the getting there that might be an issue!
Nov 10th, 2008, 08:52 AM
#44
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October sounds good to me, although I don't know yet if I can get away from work then.
I looked up Grand Gallery in my Utah hiking book and it sounds great. I would also like to get in some other hikes in Arches and Canyonlands, after reading about them here in MRand's excellent report.
I looked up Grand Gallery in my Utah hiking book and it sounds great. I would also like to get in some other hikes in Arches and Canyonlands, after reading about them here in MRand's excellent report.
Nov 10th, 2008, 11:57 AM
#48
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ncounty, true, that.
And a Utah trip would be easier to justify compared to what I've been trying to do. I had my husband talked into staying home with the kids while I go to Vienna and Prague.
I was going to do that in Sept. '07, but my younger son was entering MS and my older one was to enter HS, so I felt I should be a responsible mother and be home for those transitions.
This Sept, my husband basically said: You already went to Europe this year.
Dayle, keep us up to date on your plans.
(P.S. And if you camp, perhaps I can find a hotel nearby? just kidding).
And a Utah trip would be easier to justify compared to what I've been trying to do. I had my husband talked into staying home with the kids while I go to Vienna and Prague.
I was going to do that in Sept. '07, but my younger son was entering MS and my older one was to enter HS, so I felt I should be a responsible mother and be home for those transitions.
This Sept, my husband basically said: You already went to Europe this year.
Dayle, keep us up to date on your plans.
(P.S. And if you camp, perhaps I can find a hotel nearby? just kidding).
Nov 10th, 2008, 05:15 PM
#50
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ncounty - you might have just solved a problem for me and I might now get to go to Vienna/Prague -- I can arrange to have a GTG there with you.
My husband does not want me to go to Europe alone. I went 2x to Europe by myself a few years ago - but with tours with women I knew from my Art Goes to School group. I've had enough of group tours - and truly, I don't need a tour to visit those two cities.
None of my friends either want to go or who have husbands who "will let them go".
My husband does not want me to go to Europe alone. I went 2x to Europe by myself a few years ago - but with tours with women I knew from my Art Goes to School group. I've had enough of group tours - and truly, I don't need a tour to visit those two cities.
None of my friends either want to go or who have husbands who "will let them go".
Nov 10th, 2008, 06:32 PM
#51
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ncounty - I just told my husband I can go meet you in Vienna next year.
He asked me (for the 500th time) if I have seen our 501k statements lately.
I guess my discretionary spending is on hold for a while.
He asked me (for the 500th time) if I have seen our 501k statements lately.
I guess my discretionary spending is on hold for a while.
Nov 10th, 2008, 07:23 PM
#53
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Mon. Oct. 6 (Fiery Furnace: Lomatium & Krill Canyons Rappelling – Arches N.P. cont'd)
Herb carefully instructed us on how to rope up and secure ourselves on the descent. After I realized that I would be secured by two ropes on the way down — one of them a safety rope controlled by Herb that could immediately arrest any fall, my anxiety was assuaged. It was quickly restored as soon as I crested the lip of the cliff which, after a few hops, quickly fell away leaving me dangling high above the canyon floor. It was WAY DOWN to the bottom, like maybe hanging from an eight or ten story building. As soon as I perceived how easily I could control my descent, however, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride down.
We had another shorter rappel in Lomatium Canyon, then stopped for lunch. Herb had packed a great light meal for us — tortillas for wraps with lunch meats or hummus or both. He told us Lomatium Canyon is named for the lomatium plant, which exist only in the environs of Arches National Park and which he and the park rangers go to great lengths to preserve from the ravages of hikers and canyoneers.
Next up was Krill Canyon, which we accessed by an intense scramble up a narrow gully of huge rocks and boulders. Near the top of the climb we had to squeeze and shimmy through some claustrophobically-close boulders. Then we had to “chimney” (bracing hands and feet against opposing rock faces and then slowly leveraging our way up) about 12 feet to the top of Krill — the most challenging obstacle (other than the rappels) that we encountered.
We then each had to rope up, wedge sideways through two facing walls, and suddenly drop down on an 80 foot rappel into the cavernous chamber that looks like a whale’s stomach and gives the canyon its name. This led to two more shorter rappels, and then a hike out of the canyon and back through the maze of the Fiery Furnace to the parking area, tired to the bone.
The snow-covered La Sals shone spectacularly in the late afternoon sun. A 45 minute drive back to Moab and the Desert highlights headquarters allowed us to shed our gear and tip Herb generously for his fantastic work as our canyoneering leader. The following day we would wake up early and in the cold pre-dawn air depart Moab for out return to Salt Lake and flight home. But for now, with margaritas and green chile enchiladas, we reprised our dinner of the evening before at Miguel’s Baja Grill and reflected on our time in Moab — what a time it turned out to be.
Herb carefully instructed us on how to rope up and secure ourselves on the descent. After I realized that I would be secured by two ropes on the way down — one of them a safety rope controlled by Herb that could immediately arrest any fall, my anxiety was assuaged. It was quickly restored as soon as I crested the lip of the cliff which, after a few hops, quickly fell away leaving me dangling high above the canyon floor. It was WAY DOWN to the bottom, like maybe hanging from an eight or ten story building. As soon as I perceived how easily I could control my descent, however, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride down.
We had another shorter rappel in Lomatium Canyon, then stopped for lunch. Herb had packed a great light meal for us — tortillas for wraps with lunch meats or hummus or both. He told us Lomatium Canyon is named for the lomatium plant, which exist only in the environs of Arches National Park and which he and the park rangers go to great lengths to preserve from the ravages of hikers and canyoneers.
Next up was Krill Canyon, which we accessed by an intense scramble up a narrow gully of huge rocks and boulders. Near the top of the climb we had to squeeze and shimmy through some claustrophobically-close boulders. Then we had to “chimney” (bracing hands and feet against opposing rock faces and then slowly leveraging our way up) about 12 feet to the top of Krill — the most challenging obstacle (other than the rappels) that we encountered.
We then each had to rope up, wedge sideways through two facing walls, and suddenly drop down on an 80 foot rappel into the cavernous chamber that looks like a whale’s stomach and gives the canyon its name. This led to two more shorter rappels, and then a hike out of the canyon and back through the maze of the Fiery Furnace to the parking area, tired to the bone.
The snow-covered La Sals shone spectacularly in the late afternoon sun. A 45 minute drive back to Moab and the Desert highlights headquarters allowed us to shed our gear and tip Herb generously for his fantastic work as our canyoneering leader. The following day we would wake up early and in the cold pre-dawn air depart Moab for out return to Salt Lake and flight home. But for now, with margaritas and green chile enchiladas, we reprised our dinner of the evening before at Miguel’s Baja Grill and reflected on our time in Moab — what a time it turned out to be.
Nov 10th, 2008, 07:58 PM
#55
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Thanks for the trip report, MRand. I can't wait to get there myself. I am bookmarking your trip details for future reference.
Karens- most of my trips to Europe have been solo. I stumbled upon Fodors last summer in last minute researching for a trip to Milan and Lake Como solo. I was mistaken for a hooker in Milan. Perhaps having you with me will help avert that problem.....although, I don't know, those short skirts you like may get me in even more trouble.
Karens- most of my trips to Europe have been solo. I stumbled upon Fodors last summer in last minute researching for a trip to Milan and Lake Como solo. I was mistaken for a hooker in Milan. Perhaps having you with me will help avert that problem.....although, I don't know, those short skirts you like may get me in even more trouble.
Nov 11th, 2008, 03:50 AM
#57
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>501k?
I have 501c3 on my mind - I'm the Director of a tiny non-profit and we just got our 501c3 status and are trying to take advantage of that.
[But boy, I say a lot of stupid stuff on this site]
ncounty - I have to meet you in Europe (or in the states), I'm sure we would have a blast.
I'll start saving (and hoping for an improving economy!)
I have 501c3 on my mind - I'm the Director of a tiny non-profit and we just got our 501c3 status and are trying to take advantage of that.
[But boy, I say a lot of stupid stuff on this site]
ncounty - I have to meet you in Europe (or in the states), I'm sure we would have a blast.
I'll start saving (and hoping for an improving economy!)
Nov 11th, 2008, 05:26 AM
#58
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MRand,
What a great trip report! Now we are really ready to get back to Moab. Our '07 trip was focused on seeing some of the less visited spots between Bryce and Capitol Reef along Hwy 12 and seeing the Great Gallery (after several failed attempts on past trips due to weather). For those of you considering a Utah gathering to do Horsehoe Canyon, here are a few pics to get you a little more fired up!
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/88495958
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/88496621
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/utah_tr&page=11
It was an amazing place in a very remote location. My husband and I look forward to getting back to the Great Gallery again.
Thanks again, MRand, for your terrific trip report.
What a great trip report! Now we are really ready to get back to Moab. Our '07 trip was focused on seeing some of the less visited spots between Bryce and Capitol Reef along Hwy 12 and seeing the Great Gallery (after several failed attempts on past trips due to weather). For those of you considering a Utah gathering to do Horsehoe Canyon, here are a few pics to get you a little more fired up!
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/88495958
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/88496621
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/utah_tr&page=11
It was an amazing place in a very remote location. My husband and I look forward to getting back to the Great Gallery again.
Thanks again, MRand, for your terrific trip report.
Nov 11th, 2008, 09:52 AM
#59
karens,
You dream of good trips.
We were in Prague, Budapest, Brugges & Amsterdam two years ago.
The focus was P & B and stopped in B & A on the way back.
Brugges has got to be the most beautiful small city anywhere. Try to fit it in somehow.
I went to Utah (my wife had no interest so stayed home) in each of the past two years.
You can see photos of these trips at:
www.travelwalks.com
You dream of good trips.
We were in Prague, Budapest, Brugges & Amsterdam two years ago.
The focus was P & B and stopped in B & A on the way back.
Brugges has got to be the most beautiful small city anywhere. Try to fit it in somehow.
I went to Utah (my wife had no interest so stayed home) in each of the past two years.
You can see photos of these trips at:
www.travelwalks.com
