May 7-15, 2016, Llama Assisted Boulder/Escalante Canyon Country Adventure

May 7-15, 2016, Llama Assisted Boulder/Escalante Canyon Country Adventure
Once more into the Canyon Country! For our spring 2016 trip, I have arranged with BJ Orozco of Llama2Boot to shuttle us to a camp on the Escalante River. Our destination will be Neon and Choprock Canyons in the Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument. BJ is unlikely to offer this trip again, and I snatched the opportunity for one more visit to a destination that we last explored a dozen years ago. A detailed description of the 2004 trip can be found at http://lamountaineers.org/oldtrips/139.html (spoiler alert - we had a wonderful time!). Highlights of the 2016 trip are the slickrock narrows of Neon and Choprock, unstructured exploration across domes and through narrows, and an optional 100+ foot rappel into the Golden Cathedral. The hike to camp involves a one-way hike of 4.5 miles and 1000 feet descent. We will make a single base camp and explore from there, with side trips, other than the rappel, possibly including additional low-angle technical work. The rappel is fully technical and may require a pre-trip practice session for those wanting to take part in the rappel who are not fully experienced.

The trip is limited to a maximum of 8 participants. As of February 8, there are 2 slots available. The llamas and packers will carry our gear in, and then return the day of departure to take us out. We will day hike from our base camp on the intervening days, but individuals are welcome to take their own rest days in camp. Community gear will include tables, stoves, kitchen gear, etc. The personal gear limit is likely to be around 50 pounds, which includes your share in community dinners and any libations. All participants should weigh their loads before bringing them on the trip.

We will drive to Escalante, Utah, arriving on Saturday May 7, and stay in a motel there. The next day (Mother’s Day) we will drive to to meet BJ and load llamas for the hike in, at a trailhead reached from Hole in the Rock road. We will have six nights in the canyon, and exit on Saturday May 14, heading to Boulder, Utah to clean up, have dinner, and overnight before driving back home on Sunday the 15th.

The packer's fee should be just over $500 per person. If you would like to take part, please contact me at bill at priedhorsky dot net. Unlike past outings, trip signup is not necessarily first come first served, because of the 8-person limit and our need for an appropriate balance of skills, included one or two technical leaders for the big rappel if we choose to make it. Once participants have been approved, they can secure a place with $300 deposit.