This was such a nice day in a canyon.
(I love how this picture looks like an ad for canyoneering... We are both posing with cheesy grins on our faces. And I am clearly slacking on the job there... Sorry, Jack.)
("Thanks, friend!")
(Gorgeous rappel... Looks like an amaryllis bulb)
If someone asked me for a canyon recommendation in Moab, I wouldn't say, "OMG, do Granary!" (For the record, I would say "Lost and Found.") But it was easy and scenic and just a fun day with friends.
The upper part really wasn't that interesting. A few rappels, a small natural bridge, and it opens up to a nice view of the La Sal Mountains. This is the part of the canyon where I just really enjoyed the conversation, especially getting to know my new friend, Sarah.
The beta was odd because it said that, when the canyon opens up, you jump over to the next drainage over, which is Lower Granary. We forgot about this and cruised along until we came to a bigger rappel and saw no signs of an anchor. But this was my favorite part of the canyon. Oh my holy, the view! I think we were standing on a giant arch. And as Brian traversed the rock, he stopped and said, "Look at this!" It looked like just a crack in the ground to step over, but when you peered down into it, you could see a few hundred feet down! And there were a few cracks in a row like this! I would love to see what that looks like from the bottom.
We found our way over into Lower Granary and enjoyed an overhanging rappel into this beautiful (and echo-ey) alcove.
We encountered a few potholes and Jack and Brian stayed dry.
Meanwhile, Sarah and I had a "wet teacher" contest.
(Contemplating my stupid short legs... "Can I get a shoulder, please?")
I started to climb down into a pothole and realized my phone was still in my pocket. "I'm just going to throw it," I announced. "No, don't do it!" the boys yelled. "It's fine," I said, and tossed it. "No, it's not fine," Jack replied as Brian fished my phone out of another pothole. Luckily, it was a small pothole and my phone is still functional.
(Anchor stretched way across a pothole)
The hike out seemed never ending; the hill was relentless. But it really wasn't that bad, and we took our time. It was so nice to be with a group that was in no hurry. We just enjoyed each other's company and were happy to be outside in a beautiful place.
*Photos by Brian Bassett
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