Caleb helping Dad gear up for a great Fathers Day in Englestead Hollow.
Englestead Hollow from the lip of the 300 foot entry rappel. It is a spectacular, pristine, Zion canyon that is a lot of fun. That said, it's not for beginners.
Our packs near the tree anchor and ropes of the first rappel as seen from the opposite side of the canyon.
Mike Brunson took this picture of me making the long first rap into Englestead.
The long entry rap into Englestead as viewed from the bottom. This rappel is generally done in two stages from a set of anchors about 90 feet from the top. We elected to use one 300 foot rope with a pull cord and do it all in one section. The upper anchors are about 30 feet above where our rope in this picture goes over the black water stained rock. The second set of anchors are just above and left of my left shoulder on the lip of the last pothole ledge. These final anchors would only be necessary if the rope from the upper anchors didn't reach the bottom. This can clearly be seen from the pothole ledge.
Mike Brunson on one of the shorter entry rappels.
The upper section of the beautiful flutes in the last 120 foot entry rappel.
Englestead is a spectacular, big canyon.
"Double Thumbs Up".
Spectacular views everywhere.
A small fern growing out of the sandstone.
Partners.
One of the many grand views in Englestead.
Englestead, for the most part, uses only natural anchors like this one. Because of the large entry rap and somewhat complicated shuttling logistics it is not frequently visited. Therefore it is a good idea to bring plenty of new webbing to replace the old.
This picture was taken after we left Englestead Hollow and started down Orderville Canyon -- Another great part of this trip.
Soaring walls above Orderville.
Orderville has some of the narrowest, deepest canyon sections I've ever seen.
Mike in front of the "Guillotine" in Orderville Canyon.
Another incredibly narrow gash to walk through.
This trip was dry except for the lower sections of Orderville with many great "Drop and Pools" like this.
It was kind of strange having a real backcountry adventure with no people and then making a bend and running into crowds. The people were hiking up from the Riverside Walk at the Temple of Sinawava only to be stopped by a small sign stating, "Backcountry Permits Required Beyond This Point."
Looking back up canyon where a permit is required.
Mystery Falls, the last rappel when descending Mystery Canyon.
Meeting up with my wonderful family in Springdale after a shuttle ride out of the park. This was a really great Fathers Day.