Peekaboo + Spooky

This past week after (blessedly) finishing the cleaning of Helles*,  Sean, Lee, Willow, Billy, Ashley & I went  hiking out Hole-in-the-Rock road.  The destination was two pretty well-known slot canyons, Peekaboo & Spooky.  We started out at the Dry Fork trailhead here.

It was late afternoon, as you can see from the shadows. Because of the late hour (around 3:30 pm) we bushwhacked from the road to the trailhead. The actual road to the trailhead was so eroded from the heavy rains of about a month ago that it was impassble to the cars we were driving. Not my Subi, mind you but even so, I doubt I'd have tried it with anything less than a jacked-up 4WD pickup.
Here we're about to descend sharply down the slickrock into the canyon.

Here we are at the opening of Peekaboo.

Getting up into that slot is a bitch and I've got the scrapes to prove it.  Oh. And abandon all dignity in getting up there unless you're a certified desert rat. Heh. I discovered that when all else fails, shimmy onto a ledge on your belly then lift your feet up over your hips and you'll fall headfirst into the next hole. And yes, this is every bit as entertaining to your climbing buddies as it sounds.  Who knew that I'd use my scuba diving skills in the desert?  And wear long sleeves no matter how hot it is. But only if you're attached to having skin on your elbows, wrists and upper arms.
Here's another gnarly reach.

And here are Sean and Lee-Lee, formerly Friar Tuck and the punk beyotch in black (black wig, fishnets and black high-top Chucks from the Halloween post).  You can see behind them the gorgeous deep orange of the slot canyon walls where the late afternoon sun was able to get in.

That's a happy man celebrating his 30th birthday the Utahan way...
More curvy slot canyon goodness...

Proof that old broads can too haul their butts up a slot canyon...

And the reward of a slot canyon well-slithered. Sitting up on the slickrock having Lee instruct us on the proper way to eat an apple. Attention Eat Local readers...I picked that apple from the trees next to Eddie and Janina's house.

Here are a few more shots of the loveliness of the high desert on a late afternoon in November.

Next up?  Eddie and Esky, most elegant kitty from Escalante (hence the name) and what may turn out to be FiberTribe's clan animal...

Comments

[Scoutj]

Wow! Those pictures are amazing!

I was giggling reading this thinking about our conversation about finding a good place for a wax!!!

When do you go back to FL?

[Laurie]

Wow. Those are amazing pictures AND I'm impressed with the level of fitness in your crew.

[Neena]

Great pictures. I especially love the one with the three layers of people climbing into the slot. We'll be there (not there specifically), but in Boulder on Saturday!!

[TorAa]

I'm impressed both of the pictures, formation of the nature and you gays that battled the impressing wilderness. Thanks for sharing. I would love to go there one day.