Where: Death Valley National Park, California
When: October 2009
Who: DB, Double-A, Lolli, Lisa & Geoff
Lolli was visiting from Sweden, and DB and I were delighted to play Death Valley host to her for a couple days. We started with a hike around Death Valley Buttes:
Next morning, DB, Andy, Lolli and I headed for beautiful Sidewinder Canyon:
Showing posts with label Death Valley National Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Death Valley National Park. Show all posts
A Fall Romp in Death Valley
The Bats
Where: On the cusp of Death Valley National Park, California
Partners: Solo
I set out to do a loop of South Bat Mountain and North Bat Mountain via the long and interesting, conglomerate nightmare that can be identified as the south ridge of the massif. To be honest, the going was mostly loose and semi-interesting all the way to South Bat, where one quickly learns that the higher North Bat is a ways off (and gained by a horrifying loose and exposed, narrow ridge traverse).
Leaving South Bat, I began the traverse to the higher peak. While initially not too bad, the drop-offs soon present themselves and a down-climb off the crest to the right is eventually mandatory (unless you're prepared for a 100-foot rappel off questionable natural anchors).
I made it a point to regain the crest as soon as feasible, and then scrambled enjoyably to the top. Once there, I signed the register then dropped into the south/southeast of North Bat and worked my way down into the canyon forming below. Avoiding a dryfall via a bypass on the left, I eventually gained a wash that I followed back to the road.
Photos courtesy of Harlan
First Full Descent of Typhon's North Fork
Where: Death Valley National Park, California
When: November 28, 2008
Partners: DB & Rick Kent
In October 2008, Rick Kent, Mike Cressman and Tina T. began a first descent project in the north fork of Typhon. Getting a late start, time, water and energy eventually ran short and the trio escaped from the canyon and dropped into a neighboring fork that had already been established. They finished their day nearly 16 hours after starting, culminating in Mike vomiting in the parking lot. 
In late November, DB and I joined Rick to finish the project. With an 0515 start by headlamp, we quickly dropped into the canyon and dispatched the initial series of 6 or so rappels the earlier party had established. Below a big drop of 200 feet, we did another short rappel off their final anchor and then began constructing a series of anchors into terra incognita. 
Building anchors for another 6 rappels or so, we soon reached the confluence of the main (south) fork of the canyon (already established), then finished up 6 rappels there. We reached our spotted vehicle 9 hours after starting, thereby completing the first full descent of the north fork of Typhon.
The First Descent of Purgatory Canyon
Where: Death Valley National Park, California
When: October 11, 2008
Partners: DB, Rick Kent & Mike Cressman
With cool weather in the forecast, it was time to return to Death Valley National Park for some more first descents of the fabulous canyons there. On the menu this time, a canyon Rick had dubbed 'Purgatory'.
With a 1.5 hour approach on trail, we eventually headed down steep terrain past mining ruins we'd discovered 7 months earlier on the way to the first descent of Abysmal Canyon.
We encountered the first of many fun downclimbs and 18 rappels shortly after getting into the drainage. And, as per the Death Valley norm, the views as we headed down the shallow but impressive canyon were awe-inspiring.
In my eyes, what made this canyon special (and different from other DV canyons we'd explored) were its rather shallow depth and its many potholes. Though none of the potholes could be called 'keepers', several were surprisingly deep (up to 15' or so).
Not just a rappel-fest (as many of the Death Valley canyons are), Purgatory had quite a number of substantial and tricky downclimbs, many of them requiring sequencing to negotiate safely.
Any first descent (particularly of a substantial system) requires time, so with speed, efficiency and plenty of team work, we car-to-car'd this bad boy in 13 hours.
The Mount Perry Experience
Where: Death Valley National Park, California
When: October 2008
Partners: DB
Route: South Ridge (class 2)
Mileage/Gain: 8/3,300
Mount Perry is a wonderful mountain that rewards its visitors with inspiring views from its high summit. The standard south ridge route follows a trail (which you'll lose a few times) all the way from the Dante's View parking lot. Along the way, the views 6,000 feet down into Death Valley are guaranteed to provide shock and awe. And your legs will remind you, lest you forget, that, in order to climb Mount Perry, you've got to climb Dantes Peak TWICE! Now that's great stuff!
Styx Canyon, A Sweet One!
Me, DB and Rick Kent started out one morning for a romp through Death Valley National Park's Styx Canyon. Rather than make the cross-country desert slog to the drop-in in Upper Coffin Canyon, we did an exploratory from the drainage immediately west of Coffin Peak. It gave us two rappels, the first one rather nice.
Below the 2nd rappel, we walked easily down the wash, passing the "standard" entry rappel on our left, and soon got to the Styx saddle. Moods were high.
Once in Styx Canyon proper, we soon encountered a terrific red, fluted rappel. Nice!
A bit below the red, fluted rappel, we looked up canyon-left and saw a huge sand cave. More nice!
And then, a large sand arch high up on the left canyon wall.
Below the cave/arch canyon aesthetics, we encountered several more high-quality rappels in a sublime setting.
Excited descending the canyon, Rick, DB and I proclaimed this perhaps the best canyon any of us had yet done in Death Valley. Truly, a superb canyon.
Near the end, we encountered an awesome overlook of Death Valley (and beyond it, Telescope Peak). Immediately in front of us, a large boulder above a slot through which we were about to descend.
DB and Rick jumped on the aesthetic rappel and moved on down. Then it was my turn...all a-grin.
And then, it was over. Back in the desert, staring up at the boulder rappel and the mouth of the canyon as we walked back to our spotted vehicle. A great canyon!
*Photos courtesy of Rick Kent
Coffin Canyon
The normal approach to Coffin Canyon requires a long car shuttle and, of course, two or more vehicles. Rick Kent and I were determined to find a better way to knock off this canyon.
Knowing that the upper canyon had only one so-so rappel, and the middle canyon was merely wash walking, we were focused on finding a way to access the good lower canyon just above the best of it.
Rick, DB and I first tried to find a shortcut to the "goodies" a month or so earlier. Eventually turning around to go after other objectives, DB and I left Rick to continue on the exploratory alone. Clearly, he was more motivated than we were. But, he reported back later that he'd found a way...and the canyon was good!
Setting out one morning with DB, Rick, Mike Cressman, Mike Schasch and Cathy from Vegas, I was thrilled that Rick had enjoyed the canyon enough to do it again with us. We weren't to be disappointed.
With several good rappels and downclimbs, the day's showpiece was a fabulous, refreshingly clean, 190-foot vertical rappel. Truly aesthetic.
And when all's said and done, the Death Valley canyoneer once again finds himself at, near or below sea level.
*Photos courtesy of Rick Kent
Wildrose Peak in Death Valley
On the way home from a Sierra weekend, I once stopped by Wildrose Peak for a hike up this nice, little peak. With a wonderful trail through pinyon pines and juniper trees, the views open up at the summit and become vast.
TOPO
*Photos courtesy of Rick Kent
Telescope Peak (with Rogers Peak & Bennett Peak)
'Round about 2003, myself and a couple friends hiked up Telescope Peak. Along the way, we bagged Rogers Peak and Bennett Peak, both easy bonus peaks that would be a shame to miss while you're up there.
With a true alpine(ish) feel from the high, bristlecone-studded summit, including views down the monstrous (11,300-foot) drop to Badwater (282 feet below sea level), as well as west over to Mount Whitney (14,497 feet), the perspective is mind-blowing.
TOPO
*Photos courtesy of Rick Kent
First Descent of Natural Bridge Canyon
Where: Death Valley National Park, California
When: February 16, 2008
Partners: DB, Rick Kent & Mike Schasch
Rising early, DB and I met Rick Kent and Mike Schasch at the Badwater/190 junction and headed south to the Natural Bridge parking area. Packing our gear, we left the vehicles and headed up the steep slope right of "Natural Bridge Canyon". Gaining about 2,300 vertical feet, we eventually dropped in.
There, we found a pleasant canyon with 6-8 enjoyable rappels (all under 100-ft, as I recall) and some downclimbs. 
Though we found some evidence of prior exploration in a couple spots down low, it appeared that the upper canyon had not been descended prior to us. 
About 8 hours car-to-car.
(Rick's pics)
*Photos courtesy of Rick Kent
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