via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
A steep climbers trail leads from Ida Gulch to the base of "Crooked Arrow Spire". That's the Convent in the background, or the Covenant if you like. Same thing, eh?
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
A steep climbers trail leads from Ida Gulch to the base of "Crooked Arrow Spire". That's the Convent in the background, or the Covenant if you like. Same thing, eh?
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
"Crooked Arrow Spire" finally comes into view near the end of the half mile, 1000 foot approach hike.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
"Crooked Arrow Spire" finally comes into view near the end of the half mile, 1000 foot approach hike.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Dominic takes the lead for the short first pitch.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Dominic takes the lead for the short first pitch.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Brian belays while Dominic surmounts a somehwat suspect stack of large chockstones to gain access to the chimney above. A few dirty 5.9 moves are required.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Brian belays while Dominic surmounts a somehwat suspect stack of large chockstones to gain access to the chimney above. A few dirty 5.9 moves are required.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Pete following the first pitch. The crux for us followers here is enduring the near constant stream of sand being funneled down by the rope above as we try to look up to find our next hold!
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Pete following the first pitch. The crux for us followers here is enduring the near constant stream of sand being funneled down by the rope above as we try to look up to find our next hold!
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Brian deep in Longbow Chimney. It feels like we're canyoneering!
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Brian deep in Longbow Chimney. It feels like we're canyoneering!
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Pete hanging out atop the first pitch at the edge of the chimney.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Pete hanging out atop the first pitch at the edge of the chimney.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Brian the chimneyphobe is very happy to have talked someone else into leading pitch two. Dominic happily takes on the long 5.8 chimney.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Brian the chimneyphobe is very happy to have talked someone else into leading pitch two. Dominic happily takes on the long 5.8 chimney.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Looking back at Pete from deep inside Longbow Chimney.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Looking back at Pete from deep inside Longbow Chimney.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Brian starts up the classic chimney. If you love chimneys it doesn't get much better than this.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Brian starts up the classic chimney. If you love chimneys it doesn't get much better than this.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Dominic belaying me from the top of the chimney. Now too wide to climb, pitch three breaches the summit by brute force. There is a "bolt" ladder on the steep, shaded face above Dominic's head.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Dominic belaying me from the top of the chimney. Now too wide to climb, pitch three breaches the summit by brute force. There is a "bolt" ladder on the steep, shaded face above Dominic's head.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Dominic managing the belay station.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Dominic managing the belay station.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Now its time for Brian's specialty: aiding up suspicious, ancient fixed gear.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Now its time for Brian's specialty: aiding up suspicious, ancient fixed gear.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
A piton and then one or two C1 gear placements lead around the corner to the ladder.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
A piton and then one or two C1 gear placements lead around the corner to the ladder.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Its steep!
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Its steep!
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Pete & I at the belay.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Pete & I at the belay.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
As I belay I occasionally prepare for the yank when I hear phrases like: “ok, this one doesn't look too good so watch me... ooh, I'm standing on it and its starting to come out”.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
As I belay I occasionally prepare for the yank when I hear phrases like: “ok, this one doesn't look too good so watch me... ooh, I'm standing on it and its starting to come out”.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Miraculously they all hold and Brian's on the tiny summit lickity split... which is of course a relative term when you're aid climbing.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Miraculously they all hold and Brian's on the tiny summit lickity split... which is of course a relative term when you're aid climbing.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Pete getting ready to jug the pitch.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Pete getting ready to jug the pitch.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
One of the bolt ladder steps.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
One of the bolt ladder steps.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Another bolt ladder step.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Another bolt ladder step.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
View of Castle Valley from the summit of "Crooked Arrow Spire".
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
View of Castle Valley from the summit of "Crooked Arrow Spire".
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
View north toward the Colorado River and Professor Valley.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
View north toward the Colorado River and Professor Valley.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Pete on the summit.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Pete on the summit.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Three amigos on the summit.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Three amigos on the summit.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Brian prepares to rap the route.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Brian prepares to rap the route.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Looking down Longbow Chimney as Brian rappels.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Looking down Longbow Chimney as Brian rappels.
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Parting shot of "Crooked Arrow Spire".
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Parting shot of "Crooked Arrow Spire".
via Longbow Chimney [5.9 C1]
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Castle Valley from Ida Gulch 4x4 road.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
Castle Valley from Ida Gulch 4x4 road.
Castle Valley, Utah
October 19, 2012
A 4x4 road up Ida Gulch in Castle Valley provides the easiest access to "Crooked Arrow Spire", a detached pinnacle on the north end of Parriot Mesa (right). The spire can't be seen from most vantage points because it blends into the steep cliffs behind it and is separated by only a very narrow gap.