Finally got down to Hogwarts in North Wash to remove a few (as it turned out) inappropriately placed bolts. I was joined by Tyler from Hanksville, who guides for Get In The Wild, and another guy who had a name… but I am very bad at remembering names. Sorry. (sigh). Another Guy and I were greeted by another beautiful morning in North Wash…

Gathered tools and headed down to Hog Springs. Hogwarts was discovered by Dave Pimental in 2008 or 2009 and has become a local favorite. Hogwarts at Mini Canyon Guide.

We discovered Tyler at Hog Springs, so our group was complete. Headed up the hill, then down the other side to the first rappel. EGADS, What’s This???

An oddly placed bolt here on the ledge leading to the traditional first rappel point. Perhaps placed to back up this oddly placed large cairn. The start for this rappel is a square edge with no helpful footholds - a VERY odd choice. We removed the webbing and relocated the rocks of the cairn (ugh), and Tyler promised to come back and wrench out the bolt and putty over the hole. We re-rigged the traditional first rappel anchor which is admittedly funky, but not as funky as THAT^^^!

We continued down the canyon and replaced some webbing and unrigged and re-rigged a few other anchors.

And eventually got to the last rappel, where a thug had installed two glue in bolts, removal of which was the main point of this trip. Probably for guiding, given the position back from the edge of the drop that would be convenient for guiding, but not the best choice vis a vis rock damage. Some public support has been shown for not using The Alligator for the final rappel. So first we carefully rigged the Alligator as best we could. Triple wrapped webbing around the ‘Gator, then webbing extended, admittedly a long run. Ending with a separate double-layer piece that will require replacement on a regular basis going over the edge and hanging the ring out in space where it will not chew up the rock.

Does the Alligator look dubious? Certainly. If you are dubious, back it up. I realize that “Thousands of people have rappelled off it” is not a full certification, but it is strong evidence that it works. Or you can move rocks in to build a deadman down in the watercourse. Drilling holes not required. Placement chosen for the bolts results in the rapid link banging against the wall and chewing it up - this is the damage after one season of the bolts being in place. A better placement of bolts could probably be made that would not chew up the rock.

We cut them off. Tyler will come back and putty them over, attempting to make them unnoticeable.

Tyler rapping off. Here is the replaceable webbing, double strand over the edge. It is best practice to extend the webbing all the way over the edge, so the ring is hanging in air. In this case it does not make the rappel start especially challenging as there are convenient footholds to assist getting over the edge and then shimmying to the left (where Tyler is now).

Mightily HOT it was in this canyon, this day… and here is the pile of tat we removed.

Back at SandThrax campsite, sigh, looks like someone attempted to steal one of the firepits the BLM installed a couple years ago. THUGS! Looks like the concrete anchors did their job. (at FF XXII, this firepit was back in place - thanks to the BLM.)

Team Hogwarts