Desperado Canyon

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/5/6/a/event_208966442.jpegDesperado Canyon is a fun and scenic canyon located south of Jean, NV. It starts with a fairly stout and sometimes steep approach. The canyon itself has numerous rappels in the 50 to 80 foot range (with 1 or 2 hard starts), many downclimbs (some challenging), a few slotty sections, and a single (semi) keeper pothole. If it has just rained, this canyon may hold some water. All anchors are natural or constructed - no bolts.

NOTE: While this canyon would be rated a 3A, I would not call it a beginner canyon. You must have some prior canyoneering experience and decent downclimbing abilities. If you have done this canyon before, please allow others a chance to sign up first.

We will meet at the M Resort in the front parking lot near the resort sign at 8:30 am and carpool to the canyon. I will be driving a dark blue Nissan Xterra. The canyon should take between 6 to 8 hours. We may need a second high clearance vehicle to shuttle everyone to the canyon. If you are willing to use your vehicle, please let me know.

Meetup Etiquette and Attendee Responsibilities:

Canyoneering is a group activity. All participants are expected to contribute in a meaningful way. This may include:

• Carrying rope and other equipment.
• Offering to bring your own ropes to minimize the wear & tear on organizer ropes.
• Providing basic equipment such as webbing or rapid links .
• Providing vehicle shuttles when needed.
• Offer to reimburse event drivers for gas and wear & tear on their vehicles.

When doing a canyon:

• Each rappeller should offer the next person down a fireman's belay.
• At difficult down/up climbs, offer to spot or assist the next person. Do not simply continue on to the next obstacle.

Safety comes first. No canyoneer should ever feel self conscious about asking for assistance.

Basic Skills Required:

• The ability to rappel a single strand rope.
• The ability to rig a rappel device to provide the appropriate amount of friction for rope diameters from 8mm to 10mm rigged single strand.
• The ability to lock off at mid rappel.
• The ability to climb and down-climb on rock, plus basic bridging skills.
• The ability to provide a bottom belay (aka military belay, fireman belay) for a rappeller.

Required Gear List:

• Helmet (meets UIAA standards)
• Harness
• Gloves (optional but recommended)
• Rappelling Device
• Extra Locking Carabiners
• Safety Tether
• Ascenders or Prusiks
• Footwear appropriate to conditions

You should also bring: a daypack, water (2-3 quarts per person), clothing appropriate to anticipated weather, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.

*** Acknowledgement of Risk ***
Canyoneering and other adventure sports are fun, but are not without risk. You are responsible for your own safety and staying within your own comfort limits. All practice and canyon events are unguided events. By participating in a Canyoneering event, you acknowledge that you have a personal duty and responsibility for your own safety.

Canyoneering Meetups are organized to provide a venue for canyoneers to meet, have fun and practice existing skills. The Las Vegas Canyoneering Meeup Group does not assess the technical and/or safety skills of participants, nor does it assess any canyon to determine current conditions. You acknowledge that you have a personal duty and responsibility to (a) assess your own skills, honestly and accurately, to determine your suitability as a participant for each canyon, (b) seek adequate information to assess the difficulty of each canyon to determine if it is within your skill level, (c) seek adequate information about the current conditions in each canyon and the weather to assess potential risks prior to entering the canyon, and (d) evaluate your prospective partners and to use your own judgment to determine their suitability as partners.

All participants are encouraged to:

(1) honestly assess your skills to ensure each canyon is within your ability, (2) assess your prospective canyon partners, (3) accept responsibility for your own safety and comfort, (4) do your share of the work, carry your share of group gear, (5) share your ideas for problem solving and rope work, (6) speak up if you're having a problem, (7) speak up if you question what's going on or something that is being done, no matter who's doing it, (8) bring, or make arrangements for all of the gear on the gear list, (9) wear a helmet, no exceptions and (10) have fun.