The Zion Spry-cicle January 2020
We were looking for something to do, not too long, not too short. Not too icy, not too wet. A sunny but cold day was expected, thankfully with minimal wind. I suggested the south-facing Spry, the greatest anticipated difficulty being negotiating the extremely shaded first rappel area. Some of us grabbed microspikes, one of us grabbed a wetsuit (me) and off we went, somewhat delayed by Cassy’s morning staff meeting; thus we squeaked out a crack of 10:30 start. The “we” being TreC Kwan from Vegas, Cassy Brown from Sdale and myself.
The steep hike to the saddle was just fine – sunny, clear of snow, wind-free. Down the other side was equally pleasant. We stopped at a last patch of sun for a snack before heading into the chilly shade on the north side of the East Temple. Soon we were near the first rappel and gearing up. A convenient stout tree allowed for an easy prototype toggle device rappel to REACH the first rappel anchor. Rappelling down the icefall was considerably easier with the microspikes, and thankfully ended on a fully frozen pool at the bottom. We quickly stuffed the ropes and moved on.
Water threatened at the next obstacle, so suits were donned and full water preparation made. Bets were placed – where would be the first swim? Indications were the canyon would be full as every water place so far was tip top. The first downclimb went fine, with short persons getting their feet wet; full-sizers not so much. Then the V-Slot, a possible swim… was totally filled in with sand. In under the tunnel section – the pool was clearly very very full, and a few steps of waist-deep water were, ahem, enjoyed.
The stump downclimb also showed a full pool below, but stemming out to the end allowed a jump to soft sand in knee-deep water. By now we were in the sun and enjoying the day immensely. The reach-across rappel anchor had a very nice ice flow leading into it, so we fiddled a different anchor and snuck down next to the hanging ‘cicles, careful not to touch them.
Further down, the slabs were snowy so we cut around the side and found a clear way down to the next rappel, down into the black slot, also dry at the bottom! Surprisingly, at the block, the block was rigged with webbing, and the huge “rope groove” tree was devoid of webbing. The rap under the block led to waist-deep water – still no swim – and the second part ended on dry sand. From the “beach”, I had done a throw-to-a-guided rappel several times, and we tried to set that up. Since it was my idea, it was up to me to go first and… well, about 5 feet down the rappel the insecurity of the bottom anchor dominated my imagination… so I unclipped from the suspect guideline and did it as a regular rappel into yet another waist-deep pool. I adjusted the bottom anchor and stood on it so my companions could make use of the guideline. A quick downclimb and we were at the 2nd-flute rappel, where I replaced the webbing (awful color). And finally, the unavoidable pool at the bottom was less-filled-in with sand than I expected, but still only chest-deep on me. Thus no swims. Bet won!
Two more raps and some boulder hopping, then that last, hilarious Springdale member rappel and we made it to the escape pod by 5:30. Dinner at the Bit and Spur was tasty and warm… a fine day out.
A special thanks to Moonbaby Hank for Pizza night the evening before!!!
