Hogwarts Canyon, and more, North Wash, Freezefest

FF XIV: After a frosty Inferno, came back to camp to find Alane had arrived from Colorado. Next day we joined Ram and others to do a super-duper, double-cross-your-heart secret canyon, which of course was totally wonderful (400 foot rappels next to hot-water waterfalls, dolphins in the pools, a couple 40 foot jumps... you know, all that secret canyon stuff)...

Canyoneering, Downclimbing, North Wash, Trip Report, Freeze Fest, AnchorsTom JonesDecember 30, 2015hogwarts, Hogwarts Canyon, north wash, freeze fest, freezefest, bolt removal, sandthrax, Sandthrax Canyon

FreezeFest XI - The Black Hole for New Years!

Freezefest is an annual gathering of hearty (ie, foolish) canyoneers for canyoneering at the turn of the year. Camping out in single-digit temperatures may not seem like it would be fun, but with proper preparation, plus lots of firewood, fine spirits and good friends, it works out to be one of the funnest events of the year.

Canyoneering, Freeze Fest, North Wash, Tom Jones, Trip ReportTom JonesJanuary 1, 2013freezefest, freeze fest, canyoneering, new years, Black Hole canyoneering, Black Hole of White Canyon, Black Hole

FreezeFest V: Upper Stair Canyon

The Freeze Fest Camp - the morning after. After the big day, a get away canyon. A few years earlier, on a Freezefest, we had done the complete Stair Canyon. It was great fun

Canyoneering, Freeze Fest, North Wash, Tom Jones, Trip ReportTom JonesJanuary 2, 2007Malia McIlvenna, Stair Canyon, Steve Ramras, Wyoming Dave, freezefest, freeze fest, stair canyon, canyoneering

FreezeFest V: The Black Hole for New Year's Day!

Finally the big day dawns. No sense getting an early start, we mosey around camp awhile, then pack for the drive to the Black Hole. Mr. Dave Black joins us once again. Here's Malia's group shot, in the parking lot.

Canyoneering, Cedar Mesa, Freeze Fest, Tom Jones, Trip ReportTom JonesJanuary 1, 2007Black Hole, Black Hole canyoneering, Bruce from Bryce, Hank Moon, Jared Hillhouse, Malia McIlvenna, Steve Ramras, Wyoming Dave, freezefest, freeze fest, canyoneering, the black hole, cedar mesa

FreezeFest V: Hard Day Harvey in Wet Conditions, Ticaboo Mesa, UT

“No Stefanos, you won’t need a wetsuit”
“Ram, are you sure?”
“Yeah, it is a dry canyon, except after real storms and there haven’t been any for awhile”
“I don’t mind carrying it”
“Don’t bother”
Then Tom pipes in “But Ram is often wrong”

Canyoneering, Glen Canyon, Steve Ramras, Tom Jones, Trip ReportRamDecember 31, 2006Hard Day Harvey, ticaboo, ticaboo mesa, canyoneering, freezefest, freeze fest

FreezeFest V: Escaping Shenanigans Canyon in Winter, North Wash, UT

I woke up feeling mean. The sky did not look so friendly either, so I ducked out and headed home to rest up for a few days. Ram and crew headed off to do Shenanigans Canyon, a canyon near and dear to my heart. Photos by Hank and Bruce.

FreezeFest V: Limbo Canyon, Ticaboo Mesa, UT

I dropped in on the night of the 26th, for the next day's exploration - Limbo Canyon. We had explored the slot next door in November, and it was good. So we wanted to get back and see what was next door.

Canyoneering, Exploration, North Wash, Tom Jones, Tom's First Visit, Trip Report, Freeze FestTom JonesDecember 27, 2006Aaron Ramras, Hank Moon, Limbo Canyon, Malia McIlvenna, Steve Ramras, ticaboo mesa, ticaboo, canyoneering, freezefest, freeze fest

FreezeFest IV: No Kidding, Leprechaun, Stair, Hog, Achilles, Fooling' Around

Black Hole, New Year's Day - Truly, this IS The High Life! Thank you all for a wonderful Freezefest. Heck, we even had WOMEN! See ya in the New Year. (FreezeFest IV)

FreezeFest III: The Black Hole for New Years!

You get to sleep in on Hole day. After sipping scotch at midnight and a restful sleep, the call went out at 8 AM. The sun was up, offering one of the few sunrises of note, on the trip.

Canyoneering, Freeze Fest, North Wash, Steve Ramras, Trip ReportRamJanuary 1, 2005Black Hole, Black Hole of White Canyon, Dave Black, Ryan Cornia, Tom Jones, freezefest, freeze fest

FreezeFest III: Rock Art in the Swell

Now two plus days removed from any substantial weather, it is time to say adieu to Arches. She has served us well, provided treats, kept us safe, while the rest of the canyon world found its way back "into condition."

Hiking, Ruins & Art, Steve RamrasRamDecember 31, 2004Wildhorse panel, art, freezefest, freeze fest

FreezeFest III: A Visit to Finland, Arches National Park, UT

The next day was in the Fractured Fairyland. We awoke to low clouds and drove back towards the park. This Fairyland is a complex area of passage ways. It can be quite physical and is a ton of fun.