Canyoneering for Two

[ACA]

Canyonlands: Tales from Narrow Places (http://canyoneering.wordpress.com/2010/07/07/rappelling-for-two-in-christopher-creek-canyon/)

[rcwild]

Congrats to David and Laura.

[dsw2925]

Thanks for the congrats, Rich. Looking forward to picking your brain about canyoneering with children. What I have read on the forums already has been very informative.

[rcwild]

Thanks for the congrats, Rich. Looking forward to picking your brain about canyoneering with children. What I have read on the forums already has been very informative.

Started my kids climbing when they were 4-6 years old; canyoneering when they were 6-8. Always a lot of fun. You just need to adjust the types of canyons you do and you will need to learn how to do a tandem rappel.

[coati]

Started my kids climbing when they were 4-6 years old; canyoneering when they were 6-8. Always a lot of fun. You just need to adjust the types of canyons you do and you will need to learn how to do a tandem rappel.

Rich,

Were you in Phoenix then? If so, do you remember some of the places you took your kids when they were just starting out.

[rcwild]

Were you in Phoenix then? If so, do you remember some of the places you took your kids when they were just starting out.

Started them climbing on the headwall at Camelback. Set up a top rope on the rappel gully (class 4), then on the headwall route (5.0). Rappelling at Papago Park. I also took them on adventures in Hidden Valley in South Mountain Park. We took rope and harnesses and contrived adventures going up and over large boulders. They enjoyed the slide at Fat Man's Pass and the tunnel, etc. so it was an easy place to introduce them to some basic rope work.

First canyon for all of them was a place off of Hwy 87 south of Sunflower. It was called Jack's Canyon back then, but people think of a rock climbing area by that name now. Sycamore Creek? Or a tributary. Round Valley? There is/was a windmill and a water tank there. Not sure about access since the road construction several years back. We always went in from the bottom. You can also access it from Bushnell Tanks, but that involves a bit of a hike.

The canyon is not really technical, but has a couple short drops. Put the kids on a rope sometimes. Jumped other times. Nice deep holes for swimming.

All of them also did Salome, Parker and Cibecue when they were very young. I came up with the "Ashley System" at the first waterfall in Cibecue when daughter Ashley was 9 or 10. Sons did West Clear Creek proper with me when they were 6 and 8, and a few of the technical tributaries when they were in their early teens. Sons also did several Navajo canyons that are now closed when they were around 10-12.

[coati]

In case anyone else is interested:

We've done Hiden Valley in South Mountain a few times. It's got to be one of my kids' favorite places because of the rock slide at Fat Man's Pass. Plus one time I caught a chuckwalla which can make a 5 year old think they are holding a dinosaur. The easiest way to get up there for young kids is via the 24th street entrance.

My son went through the Jug when he was 7 and Christopher Creek when he was 9. He built up to that with other backpacking trips so I wouldn't recommend going through technical canyons with kids that age until they've shown they're willing to hike that far in other places.

There's a good sloping area in First Water Creek near the horse parking lot. You can practice rappelling and easily walk back up to the top. To get there walk up the road from the horse parking lot toward the main parking lot a few minutes and head left when you gt to an old, unused jeep road. 5 minutes brings you to the top of a saddle and going down hill you will see an old cattle station on the left. Pass the station and head into first water creek and take a left until you come to the narrow, sloping section.

I'll have to check out Papago Park since we can combine that with a zoo visit.

[coati]

Sycamore Creek? Or a tributary.

Which Sycamore Creek did you mean?

[rcwild]

Which Sycamore Creek did you mean?

I believe there are seven creeks named Sycamore in Arizona. The one I am talking about crosses Hwy 87 south of Sunflower.

[84x4bronco]

I believe there are seven creeks named Sycamore in Arizona. The one I am talking about crosses Hwy 87 south of Sunflower.

correct. access is still available. if you look for it on a map, or google earth tom, you will find it.

[coati]

Thanks guys.

That Sycamore Creek is close enough for a day trip.