Royal Arch via Pt. Huitzil

[PLC92084]

As of August 19th, we've filled the five permitted slots for this trip (cross-posted on two other sites...). Day Hikers are very welcome! Feel free to sign up as long as you understand this. Should there be a cancellation or change, I'll post as soon as possible.


Planning a 5-day excursion to Royal Arch via Pt. Huitzil. Don't have the permits in hand just yet but figure it's best to plan ahead ...

For those of you familiar with this hike, it's a rare opportunity to reach the less-traveled Western side. Planning on leaving sometime between the last week of September and the middle of October. We'd leave Wednesday and drive to the trail head where we’ll car camp to get an early start on Thursday. Check out the HAZ triplogs if you're curious about what's in store.

More details to follow once we’ve nailed down dates and gotten some interested parties… If you have an interest in going, sign up and PM me! Especially welcome are those with climbing experience (I'm not an avid climber...).

BE ADVISED: This is among the toughest hikes in the canyon. It requires a short (20ft) rappel; you must be comfortable negotiating steep slopes, exposed rock faces and other obstacles (no problem for HAZ folks!).

[BobP]

I may go for a day or overnight....btw there really isn't a rappel on this route unless you go over to elves. some people with heavy packs do down climb with the aid of a rope in one area. I know a guy that fell on this route and probably wants to go back.

[mazatzal]

That would be me :stretch: My pack was way too heavy for this route.

I'm not too keen on doing Huitzil with 5 days of gear/food but I might be interested in a day trip or overnight (out and back or along the Esplanade to S. Bass TH)

[Dave1]

Bob, I may join you.

[PaleoRob]

Dates dates dates are what make or break this for me...

[PLC92084]

For all of you who have expressed interest so far, I'm grateful... Of course you all realize two things, right? First, this is intended to be a multi-day backpack (as I'm not particularly keen on driving 10+ hours just to go for an arduous day hike!). And while I don't mind part-time companionship on the initial day, it would be great to find some hardy souls who'd like to sample the complete itinerary. Second... I reluctantly point out the last HAZ members who did this trek-o-death were girls... with backpacks. I'm just saying...

Oh, and Ron... I realize, having done this trip once before, the "rappel" is a rather superfluous description; I was more worried climbing down the "trail" to get to the spot than actually doing the rope thing. But...since we may attract someone with more sense than I have, I feel compelled to observe certain protocols (the standard no-liability disclaimers will follow once the legal department realizes what I have planned). Now with that said... if there's anyone who wants to take the short route down to Elve's Chasm, speak up. If we're going to rappel, we might as well make it count...

[BobP]

I can't commit to the multi-day, so I decided to move to the cancelled spot so as not to muck things up for you.

[sneakySASQUATCH]

Interested, but it will depend on the dates chosen. Sounds like fun. I'll wait to see when the dates get more firm.

[PLC92084]

Permit arrived today!! Confirmed dates will be Sept. 28 - Oct 03, 2011. If the dates are good for those interested, let me know. There are spots for 5 people; I'll be cross-posting as before so first-come, first served... PM or email for details and to arrange payment for the permit. We'll work out details once we've got some confirmations.

[sirena]

Yay! Always a good day when the GC permit gods smile upon you.

[writelots]

You watch that Point Huitzil route...she bites (and scratches and hits). But OOOOOHHH is she pretty!

[PLC92084]

@writelots

I'm expecting to put together a team with so much mojo, we'll be able to breeze down Huitzil, sashay to the Arch, rappel to Elve's then mosey back to the TH without breaking a sweat (or a nail...).

[nonot]

Was hoping for the mid-October option, can't make these dates. Thanks for offering up an amazing permit spot though.

[sneakySASQUATCH]

I was hoping for the mid October (12th) as well.It's been on my list and I could probably :roll: put up with you for another trip. Have fun take lots of pictures.

[PLC92084]

@bart01

You should cancel whatever it is you have planned and come along anyway... It won't be so hot that you melt (probably...); we're only talking two weeks and about 6-8 degrees. Besides, we'll need someone we can comfortably mock; you were so useful on the last trip!

[sneakySASQUATCH]

@PLC92084
Unfortunately, it's two weeks of work that conflicts and I kind of have to be there to finance the week of diving in Puerto Vallarta early September. :-({|= That's the trip that will allow me to participate in a future backpacking trip during one of my off hitches. :whistle:

[squatpuke]

I have shoulder surgery scheduled on 9/8....one of those surgery's where recovery could be mild, or not....

I probably need to downgrade to highly unlikely...and disappointed...

If there is any chance for a last minute opening...I'm your man. But probably not smart to commit and then have to back out...

My other option is to postpone the surgery....how much climbing would be require? I did South Bass a few years ago, so I'm only familiar with that easier east side...

[big_load]

@squatpuke

Good luck for a successful surgery and a quick recovery.

[azbackpackr]

Are you doing a loop, or an out-and-back? An Esplanade loop would mean leaving a shuttle vehicle at S. Bass TH. How much actual rock climbing is there? I don't mind rappelling, but to me, that is not rock climbing. I will go look at some Huitzil write-ups.

I was just at Elves Chasm sometime last week. Got there the easy way, by boat! It had recently flashed, and the water was very muddy. I took a couple photos, but wasn't tempted to swim, since A) it looked like it could be raining upstream again, and B) there are so many great waterfalls on a river trip that you can just row on down to the next one. You become blasé about waterfalls.

[PLC92084]

@squatpuke

Bummer about the surgery, my friend. If you've got a bum shoulder, this trip would probably aggravate the heck out of it! Lots of scrambling, down-climbing, etc. The only actual climbing is the "rappel" but that's really more of a "lower yourself on a rope" kind of thing. Still, that would probably bother a gammy shoulder as well.

Get the surgery and have a speedy recovery; there will be other adventures!