Black Hole 1-1-20

ram

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2013
Messages
116
The timing for the "talk" about preparations and plans for the New Year's Day Black Hole descent, is a New Year Eve tradition. It requires patience and proper timing. Too early and many folks going have not arrived yet. Too late and those that imbibe, during the evening, are not fully "present" in another fashion. Never is the timing perfect, but you make the best guess. Discussed is the basics. Need for calories, proper thermal protection, hints on flotation methods and the need for everyone to monitor and take care of each other. There are other things to discuss, but these mentioned are the "big" ones.

First1.JPG

First2.JPG
First3.JPG
First4.JPG
First5.JPG
First6.JPG
First7.JPG
First8.JPG

With the snowy weather, it was imperative that the exit be scouted in the day or so before the January 1 descent. You see, the exit from the Black Hole is north exposed and holds snow. Dave Black, about 15 years ago set ropes for the exit, without which the the trips crew would have been in for a long hike in the dark to get out the bottom miles away and then would have had a three mile dirt road hike to follow, to get back to the cars. On three other occasions, ropes needed to be set. A few years back, Rachel, Cassy, Tom, Jenny and I did the deed. Jenny and I did the honors of the scouting this year and determined that while snowy, it was not so snowy as to require ropes. We made a day of it, by hiking in Natural Bridges.

Pictures from setting ropes 12-31-18
[IMG]


[IMG]

[IMG]

[IMG]

[IMG]

[IMG]

This year 12-29-19. Just enough snow melted at the lower elevation that no ropes were required

Second4.JPG
Second5.JPG


Natural Bridges was plenty icy
Second1.JPG
Second2.JPG
Second3.JPG


The night before, at the talk, I volunteered to be "Sweeper." The job description entails going last, making sure all is well and that "No Black Holer gets left behind." While this might seem altruistic, the truth is I am the slowest one every day, these days. I would be last anyway. Cap Reef Rangers Josh and Andrew make their living looking out for others and so could not help but volunteer to be "the last line of defense" too.

First sunrise of the new year


Third1.JPG
Third2.JPG
Third3.JPG


The day broke cold and partly cloudy, but most fortunately, not too windy. We assembled at the trail head. I eschewed the group photo and started down right away, hoping to get a "jump start" on the crew, so as not to have anyone have to babysit me too quickly, in the rear. The group caught me before the bottom of the entry canyon. Sigh. So I told stories, that if interesting enough, others might not desert me right away. The canyon conditions are different every January 1st. The canyon is a large conveyor belt of gravel, littered with petrified wood. Early on, the group hung mostly together until the "suit up" spot, which is a different spot every years. THEN we had the group photo. Sixteen souls attended. A large number but also the lowest number in a decade. Someone will have to add the group photo to this report.

4th1.JPG
4th2.JPG
4th3.JPG
4th4.JPG
4th5.JPG
4th6.JPG
4th7.JPG

In the next hour, Katy, Josh, Andrew and I settled in, at the rear. We would not see the others until we spied folks waiting much of the way up the exit. A few swim areas were filled in, but others were longer than normal, often with enough gravel in the bottom to be deep waders, as opposed to uninterrupted swimmers. The temperatures were warm enough, high 20's, into the 30's, that verglas ice did not form where water had dripped off of people, that had passed before, except in a few places. Little snow graced the canyon, but quite a lot of ice was present, essentially none of it human weight bearing.


5th01.JPG
5th02.JPG
5th03.JPG
5th04.JPG
5th05.JPG
5th06.JPG
Our group stopped for food once and much steaming chai tea. Even with hot liquid going in, we soon got cold and did not stop again. The swims are many and come often during the time you are 30-50% of the way through the canyon. One then gets to warm up a little, hiking the boulders, if the wind is not blowing. There are spots when the sky is clear, that some years one can find a slice of direct sunlight, if your timing is right. And so it was for us, as Josh and Andrew indulged. But as nice as that feels, those in wet, wet suits are still burning more heat than they receive. Only "moving" works and ultimately getting into dry clothing at the trips end.

6th01.JPG
6th02.JPG
6th03.JPG
6th04.JPG
6th05.JPG
6th06.JPG

Katy, Josh and Andrew radiated excitement. It is nice to have that wash over me. Coming off of injury and slowing with age, I considered that it was time to "let go" of this tradition I have loved so. I am glad I went. "Not done yet." Thanks to my partners that waited for me and offered me a hand and a push, when the thrust was just not there. We came through the canyon in 5.5 hours. On the days when the sun is shining, at it's low angle, around 4 PM and the wind is silent, the bottom trail head can be a magical place. Those who finish early, change into dry and warm garb and generally wait for the stragglers. Chips and other snacks make the rounds and the mood of just plain "HAPPY" pervades. It is a magical place, that spot as the sun heads down, on the year's first day. Everyone awash in big smiles.

Sunset driving out before dark

7th01.JPG
7th02.JPG
7th03.JPG

So the January 1st Black Hole descent is complete. Done for the 17th time in the last 18 years and all are well. Then it is time to part. Folks drive away in every direction. Some effort made to get past the cows on the road, before full dark. Some spend another night. Some insure the camp is spotless. All are thrilled for having come. Most silently consider being back next year. Thanks to all for their high spirits and diligence, in the name of "Safe Passage." See you all next year at "The bad idea that caught on."
Ram
 
Last edited:
I was wondering when we'd see the annual report. Looks like a wild, awesome, and cold trip, as always!
 
  • Like
Reactions: ram
Love the photos around the fire. Looks like great comradery!
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
LarryBoy Is there anything technical in White Canyon above the Black Hole? Trip Planning 16
ram Black Hole 1-1-22 Canyoneering 1
ram Black Hole 1-1-19 Canyoneering 9
George_Washington_Hayduke Clearwater Canyon, Black Hole of White Canyon, Dark Canyon, Swett Canyon "Packraftoneering" Canyoneering 6
ram January 1st 2017- Black Hole Canyoneering 0
scatman Black Mountain Ridge - May 13, 2023 Hiking & Camping 49
TheMountainRabbit Black Lake (Rocky Mountain NP) - January 2023 Hiking & Camping 3
R Pony Express Trail, Black Rock to Simpson Springs Hiking & Camping 3
marquis20 Day 1: Grand Teton Wilderness and Black Canyon of the Yellowstone - June 2021 Backpacking 0
J Death Valley Natl. Pk. A Black Mtns and Canyons Traverse Nov 30, 2021 Hiking & Camping 2
scatman Foothill Follies Part 2 - Black Mountain Ridge and City Creek Canyon Loop - November 11, 2021 Hiking & Camping 6
XID_AZ Poison Spring Canyon / Black Jump Fall 2021 Trip Planning 2
scatman Black Mountain - May 22, 2021 Hiking & Camping 9
J Death Valley NP Black Mountains and beyond Hiking Dec 19-20, 2020 Hiking & Camping 1
J North Cascades National Park Black and Corteo Peaks Traverse Aug 21-23, 2007 Retro Backpacking 3
Perry SOLD! For Sale: GoPro Hero 7 Black Gear 1
TeamJenkins17 Black bear killing baby elk Photography 0
b.stark Black Hills February 2019 Hiking & Camping 2
blueeyes Black Canyon Trail Arizona December 2018 Everything Else 10
Titans The Double Black Hangover. Hiking & Camping 23
Ugly Saturday in Black and White, with a smudge of Green Hiking & Camping 3
pstm13 Black Diamond Revolt Battery Charging Hack Gear 4
blueeyes Black Canyon Water Trail On The Water 16
R Badlands and black hills Backpacking 8
R Black hills trip advice Trip Planning 7
b.stark Black Hills Bummin' Hiking & Camping 9
b.stark Black Hills SD in winter? Trip Planning 7
LizardAZ Packrafting Black Canyon On The Water 3
AbinadiWitness Chicago Basin: Part 2: Sunlight & Windom Peaks, Black Canyon Camp, Mt. Peale, UT - 16 -18 Aug. 2017 Backpacking 2
AbinadiWitness Part 2: Wetterhorn, Matterhorn, Uncompahgre Peaks, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP - CO Trip # 1 Backpacking 4
SteveR Happy Canyon via Black Jump? Trip Planning 29
Wanderlust073 Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness / Rattlesnake Canyon maps Trip Planning 6
WasatchWill UHT - Day 5: West Fork Black Fork to Olga Lake Backpacking 2
Rye Jones Black Dragon Debunked General Discussion 6
blueeyes Black Magic Canyon, Idaho April 2016 Canyoneering 8
DrNed Black Dragon Wash Trip Planning 8
DiscGo Black Magic Canyon (with kids) Hiking & Camping 5
kansas Camping along rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison NCA Trip Planning 1
CaptnKidd Black Dragon Canyon, Crack Canyon, Little Wild Horse (2011) Hiking & Camping 4
scatman Black Mountain - November 11, 2014 Hiking & Camping 5
Udink Upper Black Box Canyoneering 10
605troutbum Hello From the Black Hills, SD Noobs: Introduce yourself! 0
Laura Black and white or color-vote Photography 14
DrNed West Fork Black's Fork Trail Head Directions Trip Planning 6
IntrepidXJ Red Rock to Black Canyon Backpacking 3
J Anyone ever seen black widow spiders in Utah? General Discussion 49
Nick Lower Black Box Trip Planning 0
IntrepidXJ Black Friday in Range Creek Hiking & Camping 4
uintahiker Black Diamond Returns Gear 0
River Black Magic Canyon Canyoneering 2

Similar threads

Back
Top