Mystery Canyon - A Zion Fall Classic - Nov 2010

Mystery Canyon - one of my favorites. For those of us at ZAC, November is WFR time. ZAC sponsors a Wilderness First Responder (WFR) class with the very best instructors from WMA (Wilderness Medical Associates) each year, both for our own guides and outfitters, and for outside persons, many of whom are in Youth at Risk programs in southern Utah. It tends to be an entertaining, interesting group of people, and an intense period studying the challenge of Wilderness Medicine. Three very intense days!

After the course, we put together a quick Mystery Canyon trip - we being Cabot Stone and Jamie Butler, our instructors, Hank Moon (who WFR's in the spring), and Nan Pugh, another student in the class who would be heading to Park City the next day.

Photos by Hank and me. Neither of us took very many, as it was a bit on the cold side, so we concentrated on moving through efficiently.

A wonderful, crisp, fall morning. Big thanks to Sarah for dropping us off.

Nan on the first little rappel, before the first rappel, as we label them.

Wonderful fall colors.

Zipping the packs at the last rappel/downclimb in the rock narrows.

Cabot is not known as much of a tree-hugger, so photographic proof was called for.
OK, root-hugger, perhaps.

More delightful fall foliage colors.

The “lake” area was WAY greener than I had ever seen it. Lots of small storms this summer and fall musta kept it in good condition to grow stuff, here some willows and cottonwoods.

We were happy to find the “lake” not in lake mode, more like mudflat mode.

Climbing to the Glowering Spot.

Jamie making an appearance. Glowering Spot in the sun!

A quick lunchbreak in the afternoon sun.

And here’s the overall bush.

And it wouldn’t be a 2010 Rave without some flowers. This some blooming shrub (no idea on an ID).

The light was intense, and rarely have I been at this spot with good light. Hank climbed a tree to try to get better pics.

White and orange rock, chartreuse trees, deep shadows (aided by a little light photoshopping).

Down the sandpile!

Slab rappel – nice shot Hank!!

Jamie and Tom, the photo team.

Cabot looking askance – whaaa?

Tom doing his best Fluted Walls imitation.

Cabot downclimbing the slippery log - Tom spotting. (Mystery Canyon)

Cabot setting up the last rappel.

Then quickly, Cabot on rappel, into The Narrows.

Jamie starting the last rap. Slippery slippery slippery. I have never seen this rap so slippery, I thought, as I looked down and watched Hank wipe out three times on the way down. Ooops! I was very cold, anxious to do the rap without getting any wetter than necessary.

And finally, Nan on rope – does she look cold??

Then we walked out, and got to the Temple of Sinawava just at dusk. Hope the folks behind us in the canyon enjoyed that last rap in dark... ha ha!

A great time had by all. Good to have you here, Cabot and Jamie, hope to see you next spring.

Canyoneering, Mystery, Tom Jones, Trip Report, Waterfalls, Zion, Zion Adventure CompanyTom JonesNovember 11, 2010mystery canyon