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Poe

Lake Powell beta posted by Dan Ransom
  • The Hype

    History
    The first known descent of Poe was by Jenny (Hall) West and Mike Bogart in August of 1981. The tale of their exploration is truly impressive, and I highly recommend reading Jenny's account which offers a glimpse into elements of that exploration. Mike Bogart has also compiled a great read of his early explorations at Canyontales.

    For nearly 30 years after this descent, there were very few parties who descended the canyon. In 2007, Jason Pease went on a solo scouting trip to the area, and introduced his findings to Steve Ramras. With Tom Jones and Brian Hoffman, Ram descended the adjacent canyons Happy Dog and Baboon Laughs, surprised to find old bolts in the canyons. They were not able to squeeze Poe into their schedule (at that point, Poe was known as Smiling Cricket). With knowledge of two of the three canyons, Jason returned with partner Mark Fleck in Spring of 2008 hoping to descend the last of the three canyons: Poe. Their descent, including an overnight bivy, is detailed on the Summitpost page for "Smiling Cricket."

    The Name
    “Originally called ‘L’ Canyon for the ‘L’ in ‘Fold’ on the map, it was later called ‘Poe’ Canyon because of its pits and pendulums ...”

    The Pit and the Pendulum*
    A short story written by Edgar Allen Poe, in which a prisoner, during the Spanish Inquisition, finds himself in a dark room, with blade–like pendulum slowly descending towards his chest. Though he escapes the pendulum, the walls of the room close in on him, pushing him closer to falling into a deep pit in the middle of the room. (Source: Canyon Names Database, curated by Stefan Folias)

    The name "Poe" was unknown to Jason when he returned in 2008, when he referred to it as "Smiling Cricket."

    Jason Pease wrote:
    “I love the blank spots, the places I have heard nothing or next to nothing about. Last year I was getting tired of canyons and wanted to just wander somewhere. [The Waterpocket Fold] caught my eye somehow, as well as, 3 canyons along it. I walked the rim of all 3, getting into [the first canyon] in 2 different places (seeing bolts) and seeing both from the bottom of their final drops. [The third canyon] I walked the south rim, but I got no good view down in, only a chasm with no bottom. Once back at camp the final night, I was laying on the sand in my bag, wondering what to call them for my own personal record keeping: ‘That First Canyon South That Actually Starts Midway Up’ didn’t have much panache. Nor did ‘That Second Canyon South’ or ‘Third Canyon South’ have a nice ring to it.

    So I’m laying there watching clouds shape–shift by and light upon one that looks just like a dog’s head, big floppy ears, tongue wagging—a ‘Happy Dog.’ So it was written so shall it be done. Then I decided to keep that theme for the trio—creatures and joyful emotion (at least in word). I thought ‘Baboon Laughs’ because, as anyone who ever has visited a zoo knows, those damn things sit up in their trees and laugh or howl or whatever it is they are doing, making a ruckus of it all, but you can’t always see them. You know they’re there, but only in furtive glimpses. And that was how that canyon seemed—furtive glimpses laughing at me and an element of danger in the broken, jointed landscape of its rim and head. And ‘Smiling Cricket’ cause you NEVER see those things, but you hear them, soft and steady and infuriatingly undiscoverable. Try as you might you can’t find it, until you get down and dirty and on its level and finally come eye to antennae. But, if you’re like me, even though it is only a little insect, it creeps me out and my hand jerks away even as it darts out to silence the bugger so i can sleep. But that’s only if I am in a room with a lone cricket; sleeping outside I love their cacophony.”

    After a few more descents, the community became aware of the original 1981 descent, and an effort has been made to honor the first name "Poe."

    Poe is one of the most difficult canyons descended to date on the Colorado Pleateau, and carefully selecting a strong team is highly recommended.

    Getting There


    The view looking north from the Airstrip Route.
    As if the technical challenges of Poe are not difficult enough, just getting there adds another significant barrier to entry. There is no easy access to basecamp in lower Halls Creek. There are three options for getting there, each with advantages and disadvantages. All will require you to carry expedition canyoneering sized loads, and all require varying degrees off trail navigation skill. If you are not comfortable carrying multi-day expedition canyoneering loads, consider finding other destinations.

    (Note: I have only personally used the airstrip and lake approaches.)

    The Airstrip route is fairly straightforward, easy to follow, accessible to all high clearance vehicles. It takes you through the optional, but stunning, Halls Creek Narrows. One way from trailhead to base camp is roughly 10 miles, taking from 5-8 hours depending on your fitness and speed.

    The Lake Powell approach can save significant time when the water is high, but it requires the additional logistics of using a boat. At high water, this route is quite easy, and the fastest. As of May 2013, the lake is down 101 feet from full pool, and the approach takes roughly 4 hours. However, the lake appears to be dropping until at least spring of 2014, so this option will get less attractive until water levels come back up.

    The third option is to park just off the pavement and hike cross country from Notom-Bullfrog road to a rarely traveled break on the rim of Halls Creek. It is off trail, requires advanced routefinding skills, and has sections of significant exposure. It is likely to the quickest option of the three, at 4-5 hours. However, I have not personally used this route.

    Halls Creek Airstrip Route
    Getting There: From Bullfrog, travel north on Highway 276 for 6 miles. At the signed junction with the Burr Trail, turn west and continue 16 miles to a signed junction to Halls Creek Trailhead. After 2.5 miles, another sign for Halls Creek Trailhead appears. Do not go to this trailhead, continue down the main road for an additional 2.4 miles. There are two dirt tracks that turn off to the west, be sure to take the one further south, which shortly crosses an old airstrip. Follow this track to the edge of Halls Creek, where you will leave your car.

    From the Trailhead: Head west over the first rim of the cliff, and being routefinding you way down a large gulley to the only obvious weakness in the cliff. Near the second rim, keep an eye out for cairns. The route is fairly well marked, but it is not always obvious. There are a few minor sections of exposure, with 3rd class scrambling. As you pick your way down the rockbands, you will need to make your way out of the main watercourse, trending south and contouring to a debris-slide that will allow easy passage to the floor of Halls Creek.

    From there, you have roughly 8-9 miles of hiking down to get to Miller's Creek, where there is reliable water, and an obvious choice for a basecamp. The only trick remaining in this section is to be sure to cross over Halls Divide, instead of traveling through the narrows of Halls Creek. At waypoint of 37.632814, -110.886884 leave the drainage, and find your way up the divide, bypassing the narrows.

    Lake Powell
    Getting There: Launch a boat at Bullfrog Marina. Motor south around the long strip of land that separates Bullfrog Bay from Halls Creek bay, and make your way to the back of Halls Creek Bay. Depending on water levels, you will have varying options for landing your boat. The north side is generally preferred, as of May 2013.

    From your boat, travel north and west, avoiding the inevitable bushwack as much as possible. Look for game trails. Contour against the base of the cliffs, eventually making your way into the main Halls Creek drainage, and continue north for a couple miles, where obvious camping options exist.


    Entrance sequence prior to first rappel.
    Burr Trail Overland Approach

    Getting There: From Bullfrog, travel north 6 miles to the signed intersection with the Burr Trail. Turn west and travel an additional 7 miles. After climbing the switchback, look for slickrock parking options. This is the Overland Trailhead.

    From the Trailhead: On the USGS 7.5 minute quad, the break is just north of the point 4445T. Look for cairns as you pick your way down to a slope that will allow you to traverse back to the north. A few hundred yards north, look for a debris slide that allows you to safely descend the Entrada cliffs, and make your way to the bottom of Halls Creek drainage. From there, travel south along the creek to basecamp at the mouth of Miller's Creek.

    (Photos and description of climbing back up this route is available here: http://www.steveharryssite.com/WaterpocketFold.htm )

    From Basecamp: Depending on where you've camped, make your way to the confluence of Halls Creek and Poe Canyon. Head up the slickrock to the north of Poe, following on either rim of the small drainage just north of the target slot. Above this there are two options to cross the canyon that drops in from above you to the west. You are on the north side and need to get to the south side of this side canyon (Jimminy Cricket). Both options join again after you descend a bit and then climb the slabs south of the drainage up until it flattens out. From this flatter aread, head south toward a small pass and down to a rib you take back to the east, and down to the staging area. This is marked by a small hollow with trees, 75 vertical feet above the canyon bottom. Suit up here. The canyon can be entered by downclimbing a precarious face, but many parties choose to rappel.

    The Canyon - Rating: 4B VI R   Longest Rap: 200'   # of Raps: 20+


    Escaping the Pit of Despair.
    After entering the canyon, you will immediately encounter a variety of obstacles. A boulder problem needs to be solved by a FiddleStick rappel or a difficult capture, and beyond that point potholes become the theme. They start small and grow as the canyon deepens.

    Bolts from 1981 are present in places, but must be approached with caution. SandTrap anchors are useful in many places. Strong climbers and experience with capture techniques are a must. Rappeling off of people (meat anchors) and capturing the last person gets used often. Partner assist techniques can solve many of the potholes escapes throughout the canyon. Pack and PotShot tosses are helpful tools as, is dragging a pack or potshot for the last person awaiting capture. Two-man hauls and other mechanical advantage strategies help get partners out of the potholes after the first person gets out. Please haul from angles that don't cause rope grooves.

    The canyon opens at the mid point and escape onto a bench on canyon right can be done at two spots, avoiding two monster potholes. This spot often has midday sun and makes a good lunch and warm-up spot. Fuel up here, because the canyon below is much more difficult.

    Jimminy Cricket enters on canyon left, and two spots that have small springs make the canyon wetter. Teamwork and partner assist techniques will solve many of the problems, but creative problem solving is the name of the game. Always be aware of the last source for sand and consider leaving a person at that location until new sources for anchor material are found down canyon.

    The Pit of Despair
    The Pit of Despair deserves special consideration. Two solutions exist presently. In the hundred yards or so before reaching the Pit, one will notice that the canyon walls are much lower. This is your sign that you are arriving at the crux of the canyon. The pit is 26 feet from the down canyon wall to the bedrock below. It is about 18 feet across at its narrowest. There is an overhanging drop into the pothole. The area beyond the pothole is flat for over 20 feet until the next constriction.

    On canyon right several yards before from the drop into the pothole are a series of holes in the wall. These holes were drilled in 1981 by the 1st descent party of Jenny (Hall) West and Mike Bogart. The holes were the placements for custom-made retrievable bolts engineered by Bogart. They were not intended as hook holes, but have been used as such by subsequent parties, and a few have blown out. Minor injuries resulting in bivvies have occurred here. Up high on the wall is a single bolt. To the left and down canyon is a second bolt.

    Method 1 - The Potshot Toss
    Stem up 8 feet or so, about 8 feet back from the lip into the pothole. Fill PotShots 1/4 to 1/3 full. Swing PotShots on a rope between the legs to generate enough momentum to heave the potshot 45 feet across the flat slick rock and beyond the constriction. This requires teamwork. Have someone else flake the rope out below the tosser, and ready to pay out line in a coordinated manner with the tosser to reduce drag on the flight of the PotShots. Another person or two can secure the high-stemmer into position to give them more stability and strength. Your goal is to land 3-5 PotShots beyond the constriction on the far side of the flat area beyond the pothole. The constriction is excellent if one lands the PotShots 2 feet beyond the lip. Once the shots are landed, have someone enter the pothole, carefully dress each of the ropes and pull each potshot tight. Then, ascend the ropes either hand over hand, or with ascending tools or a combination of the two. Once you have someone out, multiple options exist for getting the rest of the party out.

    Method 2 - Of Pits and Pendulums
    Method 2 is to climb to the bolts high on the wall and execute the pendulum. Jenny (Hall) West and Mike Bogart successfully used this method to conquer the pit, though it does not come with a glowing recommendation. In short, a very good climber uses the holes to climb up to the bolt, swings over to the second bolt, then pendulums over to the far lip. From the 2nd bolt you are 25 feet or more above the top of the pit. Big air! Everyone else enters the pothole and gets out using the above strategies.

    Additional Considerations
    The climb up to the bolts is hard, exposed and very dangerous. Rock shoes might be a good idea if you go this option. The throw over the pothole is 44 feet, very hard, requires a significant amount of energy for trial and error. Very few people can make this throw. Tall people have significant advantage. The climb out of the pothole is also very difficult. The wall is 80 degrees and featureless till the top. Few people can make this climb out. Multiple parties have reported spending multiple hours solving this pothole, including a few bivvies. If you do not have the people to accomplish these tasks, you are stuck, plain and simple. Rescue is a long way off. Practice these skills BEFORE coming to this canyon and be doubly sure you can do what is necessary!

    The Warthole
    While the Pit of Despair is certainly the crux of the route, there are still many more obstacles to overcome, including one pothole that is easily as frightening as the pit. This is known as the Warthole. It is deep, dark, and seemingly bottomless. It sits in a corner bending from right to left, making PotShot throws difficult. First reaction is to say "Oh $#!&, what do we do now?" But upon closer examination, you will notice a wart up high on the canyon left wall. An easy 5th class slab climb can get you up to it. Some parties have rappelled directly off this wart, bypassing the pothole. Another (safer) solution is to fill PotShots with very heavy sand, and lower them over the edge of the drop from the wart, and set a guided rappel directly over the hole. Last person can then use the wart, or set up a SandTrap for the guideline and subsequent rappel.

    Shortly after this obstacle, there are a few more rappels, including the final drop of ~200' into the land of living.

    Summary
    Skills required:
    Ultralight Backpacking
    Advanced Routefinding Skills
    Advanced Partner Assist Techniques (Sequencing, Pothole Escapes)
    Ability to throw PotShots up to 50 feet
    Ability to ascend bundled ropes hand-over-hand for a total of 25 vertical feet
    Advanced Natural Anchor Techniques, including proficiency with a SandTrap

    Rappels: 20+ rappels, up to 200'
    Depending on your partner assist skills, there are likely 20-25 problems requiring rappels. This number varies depending on water levels and pothole scenarios.

    Additional Risk: 4, R
    Difficult Pothole Escapes
    Advanced Natural Anchors

    Shalllow Water Jumps
    Exposed Climbing

    Water: B
    Water is available in Halls Creek, but better drinking water can be found in Miller's Creek.
    The canyon will always have potholes with water, shallow water jumps and swims may be required. The canyon rarely fills up, because it has so many large potholes it takes a lot of rain to fill them all, and the biggest potholes are low in the canyon.


    Anchor Conditions
    This canyon has been descended safely by many parties using only natural anchors. Please play fair, and descend this canyon using low-impact techniques. Bolting is illegal in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

    A few very old rusty bolts from the 1981 first descent still exist, but they should be evaluated carefully before using. Several of the 1981 bolts were removed by hand or with minimal effort. More recent bolts have been placed, though some of these were not installed very well. Please do not add new bolts to this canyon.

    Leave No Trace
    This is an extended backpacking and canyoneering trip deep in remote wilderness. Please use low-impact camping techniques. Pack out your toilet paper. Do not build fire rings. Travel on durable surfaces. And leave nothing behind.

    Gear Recommendations
    • Ropes: Take enough to complete the longest drop, as well as multiple lengths of working rope, in addition to lightweight strands for the potshot toss. Efficiency with ropes pays big dividends in this canyon.
    • (2) SandTraps
    • (4) PotShots - most parties toss at least three at the crux, bring at least one extra as the force may cause them to break.
    • (3) 75' length of thin diameter rope or pullcord to attach to PotShots. This allows the bags to be thrown farther with less resistance.
    • Personal Canyoneering kit
    • Ultralight Backpacking Kit
    Flash Flood Danger: Low. Entire drainage is easily observed from camp.

    The Exit

    Once back at base camp, enjoy whatever libations you managed to hump all this way. Wake up the next morning feeling refreshed, and head back to your car the way you came.

    Red Tape

    Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Poe is located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and currently there are no regulations or access issues. Up to date information on canyoneering policies within Glen Canyon can be found at the American Canyoneer's Website. http://www.americancanyoneers.org/access-glen-canyon/

    Capitol Reef National Park: Overnight backpacking permits are required when descending the route from the Airstrip, and camping within Capitol Reef. These free permits can be picked up at the Capitol Reef Visitors Center. However, permits are not required if you camp in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The boundary is roughly 1/2 mile south of the end of Halls Creek Narrows. Most folks will set up base camp outside of the park boundary. Up to date information on canyoneering policies within Capitol Reef National Park can be found at the American Canyoneer's Website. http://www.americancanyoneers.org/access-capitol-reef/

    American Canyoneers: Most slot canyons are found on public lands managed by the US Government, although a few can be found on private lands. The US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service manage these lands. Each area tends to have unique management issues. As a result, there is not a uniform set of rules governing our use of these lands. For current issues related to canyoneering access, please visit www.americancanyoneers.org.

    Trip Reports

    Additional Resources


  • The view looking north from the Airstrip Route.
    As if the technical challenges of Poe are not difficult enough, just getting there adds another significant barrier to entry. There is no easy access to basecamp in lower Halls Creek. There are three options for getting there, each with advantages and disadvantages. All will require you to carry expedition canyoneering sized loads, and all require varying degrees off trail navigation skill. If you are not comfortable carrying multi-day expedition canyoneering loads, consider finding other destinations.

    (Note: I have only personally used the airstrip and lake approaches.)

    The Airstrip route is fairly straightforward, easy to follow, accessible to all high clearance vehicles. It takes you through the optional, but stunning, Halls Creek Narrows. One way from trailhead to base camp is roughly 10 miles, taking from 5-8 hours depending on your fitness and speed.

    The Lake Powell approach can save significant time when the water is high, but it requires the additional logistics of using a boat. At high water, this route is quite easy, and the fastest. As of May 2013, the lake is down 101 feet from full pool, and the approach takes roughly 4 hours. However, the lake appears to be dropping until at least spring of 2014, so this option will get less attractive until water levels come back up.

    The third option is to park just off the pavement and hike cross country from Notom-Bullfrog road to a rarely traveled break on the rim of Halls Creek. It is off trail, requires advanced routefinding skills, and has sections of significant exposure. It is likely to the quickest option of the three, at 4-5 hours. However, I have not personally used this route.

    Halls Creek Airstrip Route
    Getting There: From Bullfrog, travel north on Highway 276 for 6 miles. At the signed junction with the Burr Trail, turn west and continue 16 miles to a signed junction to Halls Creek Trailhead. After 2.5 miles, another sign for Halls Creek Trailhead appears. Do not go to this trailhead, continue down the main road for an additional 2.4 miles. There are two dirt tracks that turn off to the west, be sure to take the one further south, which shortly crosses an old airstrip. Follow this track to the edge of Halls Creek, where you will leave your car.

    From the Trailhead: Head west over the first rim of the cliff, and being routefinding you way down a large gulley to the only obvious weakness in the cliff. Near the second rim, keep an eye out for cairns. The route is fairly well marked, but it is not always obvious. There are a few minor sections of exposure, with 3rd class scrambling. As you pick your way down the rockbands, you will need to make your way out of the main watercourse, trending south and contouring to a debris-slide that will allow easy passage to the floor of Halls Creek.

    From there, you have roughly 8-9 miles of hiking down to get to Miller's Creek, where there is reliable water, and an obvious choice for a basecamp. The only trick remaining in this section is to be sure to cross over Halls Divide, instead of traveling through the narrows of Halls Creek. At waypoint of 37.632814, -110.886884 leave the drainage, and find your way up the divide, bypassing the narrows.

    Lake Powell
    Getting There: Launch a boat at Bullfrog Marina. Motor south around the long strip of land that separates Bullfrog Bay from Halls Creek bay, and make your way to the back of Halls Creek Bay. Depending on water levels, you will have varying options for landing your boat. The north side is generally preferred, as of May 2013.

    From your boat, travel north and west, avoiding the inevitable bushwack as much as possible. Look for game trails. Contour against the base of the cliffs, eventually making your way into the main Halls Creek drainage, and continue north for a couple miles, where obvious camping options exist.


    Entrance sequence prior to first rappel.
    Burr Trail Overland Approach

    Getting There: From Bullfrog, travel north 6 miles to the signed intersection with the Burr Trail. Turn west and travel an additional 7 miles. After climbing the switchback, look for slickrock parking options. This is the Overland Trailhead.

    From the Trailhead: On the USGS 7.5 minute quad, the break is just north of the point 4445T. Look for cairns as you pick your way down to a slope that will allow you to traverse back to the north. A few hundred yards north, look for a debris slide that allows you to safely descend the Entrada cliffs, and make your way to the bottom of Halls Creek drainage. From there, travel south along the creek to basecamp at the mouth of Miller's Creek.

    (Photos and description of climbing back up this route is available here: http://www.steveharryssite.com/WaterpocketFold.htm )

    From Basecamp: Depending on where you've camped, make your way to the confluence of Halls Creek and Poe Canyon. Head up the slickrock to the north of Poe, following on either rim of the small drainage just north of the target slot. Above this there are two options to cross the canyon that drops in from above you to the west. You are on the north side and need to get to the south side of this side canyon (Jimminy Cricket). Both options join again after you descend a bit and then climb the slabs south of the drainage up until it flattens out. From this flatter aread, head south toward a small pass and down to a rib you take back to the east, and down to the staging area. This is marked by a small hollow with trees, 75 vertical feet above the canyon bottom. Suit up here. The canyon can be entered by downclimbing a precarious face, but many parties choose to rappel.

  • Escaping the Pit of Despair.
    After entering the canyon, you will immediately encounter a variety of obstacles. A boulder problem needs to be solved by a FiddleStick rappel or a difficult capture, and beyond that point potholes become the theme. They start small and grow as the canyon deepens.

    Bolts from 1981 are present in places, but must be approached with caution. SandTrap anchors are useful in many places. Strong climbers and experience with capture techniques are a must. Rappeling off of people (meat anchors) and capturing the last person gets used often. Partner assist techniques can solve many of the potholes escapes throughout the canyon. Pack and PotShot tosses are helpful tools as, is dragging a pack or potshot for the last person awaiting capture. Two-man hauls and other mechanical advantage strategies help get partners out of the potholes after the first person gets out. Please haul from angles that don't cause rope grooves.

    The canyon opens at the mid point and escape onto a bench on canyon right can be done at two spots, avoiding two monster potholes. This spot often has midday sun and makes a good lunch and warm-up spot. Fuel up here, because the canyon below is much more difficult.

    Jimminy Cricket enters on canyon left, and two spots that have small springs make the canyon wetter. Teamwork and partner assist techniques will solve many of the problems, but creative problem solving is the name of the game. Always be aware of the last source for sand and consider leaving a person at that location until new sources for anchor material are found down canyon.

    The Pit of Despair
    The Pit of Despair deserves special consideration. Two solutions exist presently. In the hundred yards or so before reaching the Pit, one will notice that the canyon walls are much lower. This is your sign that you are arriving at the crux of the canyon. The pit is 26 feet from the down canyon wall to the bedrock below. It is about 18 feet across at its narrowest. There is an overhanging drop into the pothole. The area beyond the pothole is flat for over 20 feet until the next constriction.

    On canyon right several yards before from the drop into the pothole are a series of holes in the wall. These holes were drilled in 1981 by the 1st descent party of Jenny (Hall) West and Mike Bogart. The holes were the placements for custom-made retrievable bolts engineered by Bogart. They were not intended as hook holes, but have been used as such by subsequent parties, and a few have blown out. Minor injuries resulting in bivvies have occurred here. Up high on the wall is a single bolt. To the left and down canyon is a second bolt.

    Method 1 - The Potshot Toss
    Stem up 8 feet or so, about 8 feet back from the lip into the pothole. Fill PotShots 1/4 to 1/3 full. Swing PotShots on a rope between the legs to generate enough momentum to heave the potshot 45 feet across the flat slick rock and beyond the constriction. This requires teamwork. Have someone else flake the rope out below the tosser, and ready to pay out line in a coordinated manner with the tosser to reduce drag on the flight of the PotShots. Another person or two can secure the high-stemmer into position to give them more stability and strength. Your goal is to land 3-5 PotShots beyond the constriction on the far side of the flat area beyond the pothole. The constriction is excellent if one lands the PotShots 2 feet beyond the lip. Once the shots are landed, have someone enter the pothole, carefully dress each of the ropes and pull each potshot tight. Then, ascend the ropes either hand over hand, or with ascending tools or a combination of the two. Once you have someone out, multiple options exist for getting the rest of the party out.

    Method 2 - Of Pits and Pendulums
    Method 2 is to climb to the bolts high on the wall and execute the pendulum. Jenny (Hall) West and Mike Bogart successfully used this method to conquer the pit, though it does not come with a glowing recommendation. In short, a very good climber uses the holes to climb up to the bolt, swings over to the second bolt, then pendulums over to the far lip. From the 2nd bolt you are 25 feet or more above the top of the pit. Big air! Everyone else enters the pothole and gets out using the above strategies.

    Additional Considerations
    The climb up to the bolts is hard, exposed and very dangerous. Rock shoes might be a good idea if you go this option. The throw over the pothole is 44 feet, very hard, requires a significant amount of energy for trial and error. Very few people can make this throw. Tall people have significant advantage. The climb out of the pothole is also very difficult. The wall is 80 degrees and featureless till the top. Few people can make this climb out. Multiple parties have reported spending multiple hours solving this pothole, including a few bivvies. If you do not have the people to accomplish these tasks, you are stuck, plain and simple. Rescue is a long way off. Practice these skills BEFORE coming to this canyon and be doubly sure you can do what is necessary!

    The Warthole
    While the Pit of Despair is certainly the crux of the route, there are still many more obstacles to overcome, including one pothole that is easily as frightening as the pit. This is known as the Warthole. It is deep, dark, and seemingly bottomless. It sits in a corner bending from right to left, making PotShot throws difficult. First reaction is to say "Oh $#!&, what do we do now?" But upon closer examination, you will notice a wart up high on the canyon left wall. An easy 5th class slab climb can get you up to it. Some parties have rappelled directly off this wart, bypassing the pothole. Another (safer) solution is to fill PotShots with very heavy sand, and lower them over the edge of the drop from the wart, and set a guided rappel directly over the hole. Last person can then use the wart, or set up a SandTrap for the guideline and subsequent rappel.

    Shortly after this obstacle, there are a few more rappels, including the final drop of ~200' into the land of living.

    Summary
    Skills required:
    Ultralight Backpacking
    Advanced Routefinding Skills
    Advanced Partner Assist Techniques (Sequencing, Pothole Escapes)
    Ability to throw PotShots up to 50 feet
    Ability to ascend bundled ropes hand-over-hand for a total of 25 vertical feet
    Advanced Natural Anchor Techniques, including proficiency with a SandTrap

    Rappels: 20+ rappels, up to 200'
    Depending on your partner assist skills, there are likely 20-25 problems requiring rappels. This number varies depending on water levels and pothole scenarios.

    Additional Risk: 4, R
    Difficult Pothole Escapes
    Advanced Natural Anchors

    Shalllow Water Jumps
    Exposed Climbing

    Water: B
    Water is available in Halls Creek, but better drinking water can be found in Miller's Creek.
    The canyon will always have potholes with water, shallow water jumps and swims may be required. The canyon rarely fills up, because it has so many large potholes it takes a lot of rain to fill them all, and the biggest potholes are low in the canyon.


    Anchor Conditions
    This canyon has been descended safely by many parties using only natural anchors. Please play fair, and descend this canyon using low-impact techniques. Bolting is illegal in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

    A few very old rusty bolts from the 1981 first descent still exist, but they should be evaluated carefully before using. Several of the 1981 bolts were removed by hand or with minimal effort. More recent bolts have been placed, though some of these were not installed very well. Please do not add new bolts to this canyon.

    Leave No Trace
    This is an extended backpacking and canyoneering trip deep in remote wilderness. Please use low-impact camping techniques. Pack out your toilet paper. Do not build fire rings. Travel on durable surfaces. And leave nothing behind.

    Gear Recommendations
    • Ropes: Take enough to complete the longest drop, as well as multiple lengths of working rope, in addition to lightweight strands for the potshot toss. Efficiency with ropes pays big dividends in this canyon.
    • (2) SandTraps
    • (4) PotShots - most parties toss at least three at the crux, bring at least one extra as the force may cause them to break.
    • (3) 75' length of thin diameter rope or pullcord to attach to PotShots. This allows the bags to be thrown farther with less resistance.
    • Personal Canyoneering kit
    • Ultralight Backpacking Kit
    Flash Flood Danger: Low. Entire drainage is easily observed from camp.
  • Once back at base camp, enjoy whatever libations you managed to hump all this way. Wake up the next morning feeling refreshed, and head back to your car the way you came.
  • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Poe is located in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and currently there are no regulations or access issues. Up to date information on canyoneering policies within Glen Canyon can be found at the American Canyoneer's Website. http://www.americancanyoneers.org/access-glen-canyon/

    Capitol Reef National Park: Overnight backpacking permits are required when descending the route from the Airstrip, and camping within Capitol Reef. These free permits can be picked up at the Capitol Reef Visitors Center. However, permits are not required if you camp in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The boundary is roughly 1/2 mile south of the end of Halls Creek Narrows. Most folks will set up base camp outside of the park boundary. Up to date information on canyoneering policies within Capitol Reef National Park can be found at the American Canyoneer's Website. http://www.americancanyoneers.org/access-capitol-reef/

    American Canyoneers: Most slot canyons are found on public lands managed by the US Government, although a few can be found on private lands. The US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service manage these lands. Each area tends to have unique management issues. As a result, there is not a uniform set of rules governing our use of these lands. For current issues related to canyoneering access, please visit www.americancanyoneers.org.

Visit the Poe discussion thread for more information and in-depth discussion.

Jeff Waugh likes this.

Condition Reports for Poe

  1. Jeff Waugh
    Jun 29, 2013
    Jeff Waugh

    Difficulty:

    NA

    Skill Level:

    NA

    Water:

    NA

    Thermal:

    NA

    Group Size:

    NA

    Total Time:

    NA


    Now THAT'S a pothole! Yikes

    Posted Jun 29, 2013
The information provided here is intended for entertainment purposes only. The creator of this information and/or Canyon Collective are not liable for any harm or damage caused by this information. Conditions in the backcountry are constantly changing, only you are responsible for your safety and well being.