Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Distinctive Cassidy Arch as seen from the trail. Cassidy Arch Canyon begins immediately below the arch and winds its way toward the viewer.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Distinctive Cassidy Arch as seen from the trail. Cassidy Arch Canyon begins immediately below the arch and winds its way toward the viewer.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
There are great views of Pectols Pyramid and Ferns Nipple near the end of the Cassidy Arch trail, which is at this point just a cairned route across beautiful slickrock.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
There are great views of Pectols Pyramid and Ferns Nipple near the end of the Cassidy Arch trail, which is at this point just a cairned route across beautiful slickrock.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
The group strolls across a surreal slickrock wonderland toward the top of Cassidy Arch.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
The group strolls across a surreal slickrock wonderland toward the top of Cassidy Arch.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Typical tourist shot of Cassidy Arch from the end of the trail. We'll be rappelling down through the arch using the tree in the center of the photo for an anchor!
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Typical tourist shot of Cassidy Arch from the end of the trail. We'll be rappelling down through the arch using the tree in the center of the photo for an anchor!
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Andy poses on top of Cassidy Arch.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Andy poses on top of Cassidy Arch.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
CP and Dominic build the complicated anchor, rigging a 60 meter rope for a single strand rappel, two 30 meter ropes tied together for a pull cord, and a light line as a pull cord for our retrievable webbing anchor. Because so many tourists frequent this place, using a retrievable anchor keeps everyone happy.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
CP and Dominic build the complicated anchor, rigging a 60 meter rope for a single strand rappel, two 30 meter ropes tied together for a pull cord, and a light line as a pull cord for our retrievable webbing anchor. Because so many tourists frequent this place, using a retrievable anchor keeps everyone happy.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Andy and DB admire the views while gearing up for the drop in.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Andy and DB admire the views while gearing up for the drop in.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
The rappel into the canyon is a bit awkward but very nice.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
The rappel into the canyon is a bit awkward but very nice.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Kevin on rappel.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Kevin on rappel.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Dwight on rappel.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Dwight on rappel.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Andy on rappel with a firemans belay from Ed.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Andy on rappel with a firemans belay from Ed.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Luba spots Kevin for a short downclimb while Dwight scouts ahead to the next rappel.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Luba spots Kevin for a short downclimb while Dwight scouts ahead to the next rappel.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Cassidy Arch looms overhead.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Cassidy Arch looms overhead.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
The view from below is actually more impressive than the view from above!
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
The view from below is actually more impressive than the view from above!
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Luba waits her turn atop the second rappel, this one with a multi-bolt anchor.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Luba waits her turn atop the second rappel, this one with a multi-bolt anchor.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Kevin wrapping up the second rappel with a firemans belay from Dwight.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Kevin wrapping up the second rappel with a firemans belay from Dwight.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Dominic on the second rappel.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Dominic on the second rappel.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Dominic begins the third rappel anchored by a tree.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Dominic begins the third rappel anchored by a tree.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
The third rappel has two stages with some walking in the middle.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
The third rappel has two stages with some walking in the middle.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Dominic rappels down through a cool natural bridge.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Dominic rappels down through a cool natural bridge.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Looking down at the crew from the bridge. See that deadman anchor at their feet? Its going to fail in a few minutes!!!
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Looking down at the crew from the bridge. See that deadman anchor at their feet? Its going to fail in a few minutes!!!
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Kevin finishes up the third rappel.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Kevin finishes up the third rappel.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Kevin gently oozes into the 4th rappel on a borderline deadman (cairn) anchor. Luba rapped first without issue, then the anchor failed when Ed slipped and put an impulsive force on it. Thanks to DB's and CP's quick thinking he only fell a few feet before they were able to jump on the anchor and stop him. Talk about adrenaline! It was not a long rappel but it was long enough that Ed could have really hurt himself. Note to self: be vigilant in backing up suspicious anchors for all but the last person and rappel LIGHTLY!
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Kevin gently oozes into the 4th rappel on a borderline deadman (cairn) anchor. Luba rapped first without issue, then the anchor failed when Ed slipped and put an impulsive force on it. Thanks to DB's and CP's quick thinking he only fell a few feet before they were able to jump on the anchor and stop him. Talk about adrenaline! It was not a long rappel but it was long enough that Ed could have really hurt himself. Note to self: be vigilant in backing up suspicious anchors for all but the last person and rappel LIGHTLY!
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Ed pieces together a short but interesting downclimb.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Ed pieces together a short but interesting downclimb.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Ed on rappel through another natural bridge! The hollowed out sphere behind it is quite mysterious.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Ed on rappel through another natural bridge! The hollowed out sphere behind it is quite mysterious.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Dwight rappels through the bridge with a belay from Ed.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Dwight rappels through the bridge with a belay from Ed.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Luba kicks off the 5th rappel.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Luba kicks off the 5th rappel.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
A piece of anchored cable provides protection to reach the rappel eyebolt above a slickrock slope. Andy awaits his turn while CP makes his way toward the anchor.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
A piece of anchored cable provides protection to reach the rappel eyebolt above a slickrock slope. Andy awaits his turn while CP makes his way toward the anchor.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Before Capitol Reef was designated a National Park in 1971, locals reportedly tried to force their way UP the canyon by building bridges and ladders and chopping steps! Signs of their attempts can be seen at the final two drops in the canyon.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Before Capitol Reef was designated a National Park in 1971, locals reportedly tried to force their way UP the canyon by building bridges and ladders and chopping steps! Signs of their attempts can be seen at the final two drops in the canyon.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Andy working over a funky lip while others wait on the ledge above.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Andy working over a funky lip while others wait on the ledge above.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
The remnants of an old bridge and some chopped steps are clearly visible at the 5th rappel.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
The remnants of an old bridge and some chopped steps are clearly visible at the 5th rappel.
Cassidy Arch Canyon
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Ed on the final rappel.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
Ed on the final rappel.
Capitol Reef National Park
April 18, 2011
We start up the well-maintained and very scenic Cassidy Arch Trail very early in hopes of beating any weather that may materialize.