First Descent of "The Purple People Eater"

Just a quick video about a surprisingly good canyon in CO:

Awesome video! Cool adventure.

I am enthralled. Fantastic video - looks like an awesome adventure. How much do those gliders weigh?

Ben

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

Full size paragliders like the ones we used in the video usually weigh in the 8-12 lbs range.

Smaller and lighter "miniwings" can weigh less than 3 lbs and pack down to the size of about a nalgene (incluing the harness!). We decided not to use these types of wings for this outing though due to the increased landing speed (due to wingloading and high altitude) paired with the very technical landing zone.

Wow! Excellent Adventure AND an Excellent Film!!!

Speed wings? With climbing harness or lightweight flying harness?

You guys ever do ropebags?

Tom

Fantastic adventure and video. Thanks for sharing.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

We actually used our full size paragliders for this flight, as we didn't want to be coming in too hot for the rather technical landing. we were using our lightweight flying harnesses.

And yes, I've used ropebags before and quite like the efficiency they offer, but I actually don't descend all that many canyons, so I haven't got around to buying any yet!

That was unbelievable!! You started pointing out the far side of the valley at first and I was thinking "Why did they just hike all the way up that hill then??" Super cool.

So I was in the area with my wife doing some leaf peeping and decided to take a drive up slate creek to see what I could see of this route. We drove to the end of the creek to find ourselves maybe a mile off and a few hundred feet of elevation below of where we needed to be. We then drove up by paradise pass to take a look down. It seems that there is a pretty easy entrance/exit to this route which is also great if you're paragliding skills arent up to date. I marked up this image from today with a potential future route.

Slate River*, and technically, this creek is in the drainage of the North Fork of the Slate River.

This is badass guys! Awesome adventure, and stoked to see someone get in that thing, have looked at it for years while hiking Yule Pass and the peaks above it.

Yep, that approach would work quite well for hiking in, we just thought it would be a fun linkup with the gliders

There's even a decent trail there as well, at least once you're up on the bench. Get in it!

(Bring a decent amount of webbing, quick links, and natural anchor skills. This canyon does not need bolts!)

Let me know if you end up doing it...Would love to hear some other experiences from this fun little canyon.

Its been a few years since this post, but we finally managed to make a trip out to Purple People Eater. Ira, my wife and I, and Dean took a trip out there this past weekend. We've updated the Ropewiki with alot more information for those looking to make a descent in the future.

http://ropewiki.com/Purple_People_Eater_Canyon.

We were quite surprised and thrilled with the quality of the canyon. What we found were 7 rappels, all in rapid fire succession, all with an easy approach and exit. Some of your anchors still existed while others were torn to shreds. The impressive double rock chock at R4 was still in place and was stable enough for one of memebers to go out and be a spotter.

To our knowledge, this was potentially the 2nd full descent, with another attempt being made in early July by a party that ended up bailing after R4. They jokingly commented that the canyon should be renamed "Purple Rope Eater" after they had a rope destroyed. I believe I also got a core shot from this canyon, although I didnt find it until the next day after another canyon so I cant be certain.

Great job finding this canyon and thank you for sharing it!