Our good friend Mari Germain offered to watch our kids overnight so we decided to do something new -- slot canyoneering. Because this was new to us and we didn't have all the gear or know the best place to go, we decided to hire the Zion Adventure Company to take us out.
Our group consisted of seven people, two guides and three fellow newbies. Here we are on our hike in to Water Canyon near Colorado City.
The canyon we are hiking along here is the same one we will come down later except through the water course.
Here Nick, our lead guide, provides us with some essential training while we're gearing up. As it turned out, this outing was more of a training class than a guided trip. That made it all the more worthwhile for Lisa and I.
This is a really good place to be.
Nick was a great instructor and you could tell he really likes what he does.
Every teacher likes a student who listens.
Showing us how to properly put on a dry suit.
Lisa on her first rappel --
and swim -- with smiles.
I feel like the Michelin man
Two of our fellow canyoneers: Richard and his son Eric
I look like the Michelin man!
The view from the top of our highest rappel -- 105 feet.
The view down and out of this beautiful, narrow canyon.
Now there's a cute, slightly nervous, smile.
Richard starting off the high rappel --
and over the edge.
Zooming in on Nick helping Lisa get set up for her turn.
And she's off.
The first section is low angled,
but as you get lower you realize that not only are you going to have to make a free rappel, but it is also going to be quite wet as you'll be right in the middle of a waterfall.
This is where you have no choice, you have to drop, let your feet hang, and enjoy the wet ride down...
For one of the funnest rides of the day.
Down Lisa goes...
almost to the bottom...
where she ends up in the pool to unclip, and...
swim for shore (with more smiles).
By the end of the day Lisa was setting up her own raps,
backing off,
and LOVING IT!!
(Lisa here) The "Michelin Man" & I had a great time!!!