Rick K, Damian T, Cigdem M, Luke and Lori C from Las Vegas, and Bill
A from Salt Lake City joined up at Cactus Joe’s to head off for a
canyoneering adventure in Death Valley—Styx and Coffin. Dinner at
Panda Express in Pahrump turned into an hour of team building as
knowledge was tested and shared, experience probed, and individual
personalities emerged. Soon we stepped out of our cars into an
amazing star show, and after ooohs and ahhhs, and some time around a
nice campfire, we settled in for a good night’s sleep.
Having done Styx with Bruce’s group less than a month before, I was
honored to be the day’s trip leader and lead my first canyon. Would
I remember all the right things I’d learned from Bruce over the last
18 months? There were so many things to remember to teach the
newcomers, Damian and Cigdem, without overwhelming them. It had
been a year or so since I’d canyoned with Luke and nobody knew Bill.
But luckily Rick and I knew each other’s strengths, so groundwork was
laid. Reaching the first rap in upper Coffin Canyon, a vertical 100’
with a free–hanging finish, was an adventure in itself, and Damian
and Cigdem soon showed their great skill and strength in downclimbing
in the ‘loose.’ Luke as always was uncannily where he needed to be
to lend a hand and Rick and Bill were reliable route finders.
Not till we reached 100’ of sudden air did we spend some time training
and checking everyone out on use of the gear. It became evident that
Bill was very competent technically, besides being such a laid back
funny guy and an awesome example. So soon he was down and gradually
everyone had the thrill. The newcomers were thrilled with it and the
enthusiasm started to flow. One more rap, and a relatively short
hike down the wash, and we broke for an early lunch at the saddle
between Coffin and Styx and enjoyed the amazing view across the
Badwater Valley to Telescope Peak.
We headed into the canyon and rapidly started the downclimb, rap,
rap ... wash hike sequence. I was worried and feeling very, very
responsible. When would the canyon get really, really good????
Would the group like it? Was it going to be as good as last time?
Were we going to get out on time? Would Cigdem remember to hold her
brake hand far enough back? Was Damian as calm and cool as he
seemed? Would we stick a rope, would someone fall on a downclimb
(most likely me!) ... thank God for all these talented people and
their sense of humor and fun ... by the time we reached the amazing
final rap and downclimb sequence everyone was getting on rappel
quickly, we knew each other’s abilities and we relaxed into the
flow.
We decided to split into two groups of three for the biggest
part of the canyon since we were behind schedule by an hour. In a
truly fun and fast feat of teamwork, where every skill, talent and
ability was put to good use, everyone doing every job, we leap–frogged
the raps, cleaning and throwing ropes ahead, just as I had the honor
of being part of with some truly classic canyoneers in Zion the year
before. Everyone was moving so fast, we lost any last nervousness
and settled in for the fun! Well, we made up our hour and spent some
time relaxing together at the top of the last rap before heading off
into the sunset to set the next day’s car shuttle.
Oh, I didn’t mention the wind. We arrived back at camp to find the
biggest walk–in size tent with about 500 pounds of gear had blown
over in the gale force winds! It took a good hour to set things
right in camp with the winds ‘helping’ while the others finished the
car shuttle. The fun just never ended. We didn’t despair too much
over not having a fire, as Luke cranked up the heater in his car and
we sat in there giggling and finally downing a barley pop until the
others returned. An early night—we were exhausted and Coffin
Canyon and a windy night awaited us.
The morning dawned clear and the wind died down and, despite waiting
for me to get over a short bout of stomach illness, we decided to go
to Coffin Canyon. Luckily Bill was leading, because I was so shaky I
could barely keep my feet on the ground. By the time we got to the
second rap, I was feeling better, and woo–hooed off the second rappel
in upper Coffin, and 12’ off the bottom put a knot into my Pirana.
Ouch. Time killer. Bill and everyone mobilized, built another
anchor, and Bill came down on rescue. It was awesome to watch all
the things I had studied happening right before my very eyes. Bill
was so calm and smooth. It was embarassing to have woo–hooed right
into a humpfhgd ... LOL! All relieved, we headed down wash ... down wash
... down wash ... down wash ... miles of it. It was beautiful,
awesome, large, and tiring. Finally, Bill called a stop where it
looked like the canyon was narrowing and we all took a well–deserved
lunch and blister repair break.
Then it was into a brand new canyon, new (more assisted) downclimbs,
new raps, new anchors to check, new pulls to watch, new fun to be
had. Some pretty awesome new downclimbing challenges and thankful
again for the younger ‘meat’ anchors! Wow, those newcomers could
downclimb! Now it was natural ... we loosely formed up the three
person teams and kept up the flow we’d established the day before.
Then we turned a corner and gulped ... there it was ... the most amazing
view of the switchbacking canyon and the biggest air of our
weekend. Big doe eyes on everyone as Bill carefully set it up and
went first. It was truly awesome. Enormous. What a great finish.
We ran ahead, laughing all the way to the last rap and, once down,
hurried out and back to Damian’s well parked car.
We were exhausted but so pleased with ourselves. Group hugs all
around. Great job, Bill.
And no ... no one got hurt, we made every downclimb, every rap, no
ropes got stuck, and yes, everyone had fun! We hiked and downclimbed
about two miles of elevation, and did about 21 raps not counting
assists. A rescue, lots of funny stories, songs, jokes and too much
to write about and plenty to remember.
What a wonderful trip. Thank you all. And Bruce, thank you for
everything you taught me. I think you would be proud.
Lori C
March 12, 2008
© 2008 Lori Curry