River Mountain Canyons

River Mountain Canyons are two simple and fun canyons located in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. We will hike up Sheep Bone canyon doing some scrambling and ascending of hand lines, cross a saddle, and then drop into an adjacent canyon which we will descend via 5 to 7 rappels.

This event is aimed toward newer canyoneers without a lot of experience. In addition to running the canyon, we will be teaching and practicing basic skills and problem solving techniques as we go. You will not simply be "led" down the canyon - be prepared to participate. Everyone will take turns rigging, going first, cleaning (going last), etc.

Since it is still damn hot out and I hate the heat, we will do this early and catch the sun coming up. We’ll meet at the Rail Road Pass Casino at 5:15 am and carpool to the Sheep Bone trail head at Practice Rock. My cell phone is 702-285-1356.

Canyon Beta:
Rating - 3AII
Time - 5-6 Hours
Distance - 4.5 miles
Longest Rappel - 70ft

Basic Skills Required:

The ability to rappel a single strand rope.
The ability to rig a rappel device to provide appropriate friction.
The ability to lock off mid rappel.
The ability to climb, handline and down-climb rock.
The ability to provide a bottom belay (fireman belay, military belay)

Please come prepared with the following REQUIRED gear:

Helmet
Harness
Rappel Device
Extra Carabiners
Safety Tether
Appropriate Footwear
Weather Appropriate Clothing
2-3 liters of water, lunch/snacks

Also bring a backpack for your gear and gloves if you prefer to rappel with them. If you have a rope please bring it. Please bring webbing and rapides for anchor building.

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.

Make sure to check the weather (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=36.05166654061038&lon=-114.83287811279297#.UcW0qRbF_0c). Be prepared!

Acknowledgement of RiskCanyoneering 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 and 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 their 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 and (10) have fun.