Jim Dockery
Well-Known Member
Many of you have probably hiked up to Cassidy Arch in Capital Reef - very nice easy route, with a touch of slick rock scrambling near the end. If you were lucky you might have seen people taking off on the 8 rappel canyoneering route that starts behind the arch with a spectacular full rope length free hanging rap.
I know I'm exceeding the suggested photo limit, but this was a real life highlight, esp. for my wife, so I want to share the excitement I feel looking back at these.
Cassidy Arch in top center, the route starts behind the arch then follows the steep drainage down to the left, exiting near the road at the bottom left.
Rick (our lead guide) starts the first rappel with his wife Evelyn belaying.
It was great being able to move around and shoot each person from different angles to take in the spectacular rock architecture we were moving through.
My favorite shot of the day of my wife Debbie just past the overhang and starting the long free hanging part of the first rap.
Different angle on Andy in the same spot.
Looking down on Andy,
My other favorite looking back up at Evelyn bringing up the rear.
I did the route with my friends Rick & Evelyn (who were long time Teton climbing guides) 3 years ago but lost all the pictures when I left my Sony RX100 on a picnic table at the Hickman House where we celebrated with pie and ice cream afterwards (called an hour later when I realized it was gone, but no one turned it in). My wife wasn't along that day so we went back to do it again last month along with our friends Andy & Drew (father/son team). It is so nice being with a couple of pros so I'm not the one responsible for safety and can put more energy into photography. I brought my iPhone 13 pro with a little cord passed through one of the openings in the case so that I could clip it into a shoulder sling in case of a finger fumble. I also slid it into a neoprene case on the shoulder strap of my pack for protection when I was rappelling.
Rick strung a safety line on this slab that hangs over a big drop - easy climbing, but big consequences of failure so better safe than sorry.
Rick leads us deeper into the labyrinth.
Debbie drops down while Rick sorts the ropes for the next rap.
Looking up at Andy in the same spot (wide angle view).
This is a very short rap that Evelyn just down climbed as she brought up the rear.
Awe inspiring views make waiting for our partners to rap a joy.
Another awkward moment getting past the lip of an overhang. Andy wasn't a climber, but he aced these raps.
The last short rap.
After dinner at the picnic table we piled into our truck camper for desert. Not a great picture technically, but it brings a smile every time I look at it, remembering a great day with my best friends.
I know I'm exceeding the suggested photo limit, but this was a real life highlight, esp. for my wife, so I want to share the excitement I feel looking back at these.
Cassidy Arch in top center, the route starts behind the arch then follows the steep drainage down to the left, exiting near the road at the bottom left.
Rick (our lead guide) starts the first rappel with his wife Evelyn belaying.
It was great being able to move around and shoot each person from different angles to take in the spectacular rock architecture we were moving through.
My favorite shot of the day of my wife Debbie just past the overhang and starting the long free hanging part of the first rap.
Different angle on Andy in the same spot.
Looking down on Andy,
My other favorite looking back up at Evelyn bringing up the rear.
I did the route with my friends Rick & Evelyn (who were long time Teton climbing guides) 3 years ago but lost all the pictures when I left my Sony RX100 on a picnic table at the Hickman House where we celebrated with pie and ice cream afterwards (called an hour later when I realized it was gone, but no one turned it in). My wife wasn't along that day so we went back to do it again last month along with our friends Andy & Drew (father/son team). It is so nice being with a couple of pros so I'm not the one responsible for safety and can put more energy into photography. I brought my iPhone 13 pro with a little cord passed through one of the openings in the case so that I could clip it into a shoulder sling in case of a finger fumble. I also slid it into a neoprene case on the shoulder strap of my pack for protection when I was rappelling.
Rick strung a safety line on this slab that hangs over a big drop - easy climbing, but big consequences of failure so better safe than sorry.
Rick leads us deeper into the labyrinth.
Debbie drops down while Rick sorts the ropes for the next rap.
Looking up at Andy in the same spot (wide angle view).
This is a very short rap that Evelyn just down climbed as she brought up the rear.
Awe inspiring views make waiting for our partners to rap a joy.
Another awkward moment getting past the lip of an overhang. Andy wasn't a climber, but he aced these raps.
The last short rap.
After dinner at the picnic table we piled into our truck camper for desert. Not a great picture technically, but it brings a smile every time I look at it, remembering a great day with my best friends.