A Tragic Story

Descending Not Imlay Canyon last week with my two kids brought a rush of exhilaration, the sheer beauty of nature unfolding around us as we navigated the rugged terrain. Yet, amidst the awe-inspiring adventure, I found my thoughts drawn to a sobering tale from the canyoneering community. The harrowing account revolves around a couple, Everett and his partner Louis, whose canyon descent took a tragic turn due to critical errors. As I descended the canyon, their story served as a poignant reminder of the paramount importance of caution and meticulous planning, particularly when venturing into challenging landscapes with loved ones in tow. Based on the information provided by Everett’s account, here’s a summary of the events:

On Friday, October 2, 2015 Louis and Everett, a couple of 21 years, embarked on a canyon adventure. During the descent, they encountered a critical mistake in the setup of the first rappel in Not Imlay Canyon. A 100-foot rope was used for a 280-foot rappel. As they reached the first rappel, Louis, responsible for setting up the descent, faced issues with the length of the rope. Despite initial confusion, he proceeded with setting the rope for a double stranded rappel. Everett expressed concerns about this decision, but Louis assured him since they had successfully done this canyon before it was fine.

Louis started to descended the first rappel, taking the only other rope with him. The absence of a second rope at the top would later lead to issues with being able to support Louis. As Louis descended, communication became challenging, and his prolonged absence raised concerns among the group. Louis communicated from below that the rope was too short, and he urgently requested the deployment of the other rope. However, it was then realized that no additional rope was available. Panic ensued, and Everett descended to a vantage point where he could partially see the situation below.

In the midst of desperation and limited time, Louis abruptly instructed Everett to be silent. The subsequent sounds, described as a “commotion,” a short scream, a sickening pause, and a final crash, painted a grim picture. The narrative suggested that Louis may have slipped off the rope or intentionally let go, possibly in an attempt to swing and land safely on a ledge.

The tragic sequence of events concluded with Louis’s fatal fall in the canyon, leaving a profound impact on the survivors and prompting reflections on the decisions leading up to the incident.

Some may question the rationale behind choosing to descend a canyon with the inherent risks it presents, especially when accompanied by my children. However, for our family, embracing the challenges of such adventures is not just about testing our limits, but rather about discovering profound joy and forging unbreakable bonds. There’s a transformative power in living life to the fullest, a force that propels us beyond the ordinary and into the realm of shared experiences that knit our family fabric ever tighter. As Helen Keller once eloquently put it, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” In the face of uncertainty, we choose to savor the richness of each moment, understanding that true fulfillment often lies just beyond the edge of our comfort zones.

Canyon Beta

Embarking on the descent of “Not Imlay” canyon is a journey holding fun memories for me, having navigated its twists and turns twice now. The rugged beauty and the adrenaline-fueled challenge drew me back for more, and there’s a unique tale woven into my canyoneering adventures – a Halloween descent adorned as Ironman. The canyon, a canvas of natural wonder, became the backdrop for an unconventional celebration with lots of laughter. It’s a canyon I can recommend but approach it with caution.

Overview: The approach to this canyon is an extensive journey, taking approximately 3-4 hours at a moderate pace and involving bushwhacking. The canyon itself is short, only spanning 800 feet but also descends about 800 feet vertically with 4 prominent rappels and a couple additional optional rappels. While not overly technical, like many canyons in Zion, it offers breathtaking views of The Narrows and Zion. Beyond its scenic appeal, the route features a moderate downclimbing section in the middle. The highlight is undoubtedly the free-hanging descent into The Narrows, which is probably one of my favorite all time rappels. It’s a better entrance into the narrows than its more widely known counterparts— Imlay, Mystery, and Kolob. Despite the challenges, the canyon is well worth the effort, particularly in the summer, as a majority of the route is shaded, providing a respite from the heat, with the exception of the initial two rappels. Even on scorching 100-degree days, the river walk ensures a refreshing cool-down, and remarkably, no wetsuit is necessary, even following rain.

Difficulty:‌ 4A III (v4a1 III)

Rappels: ‌4-7, max 300 feet

Time requirement: 6-10 hours

• Approach: 3-4 hours
• Descent: 2-4 hours
• Exit: 1-2 hours

Warning: It’s important to note that a considerable number of coreshot incidents have been associated with inexperienced individuals who neglect to set up their rigging for a smooth descent on the final rappel. Specifically, these incidents tend to occur during the transitions from the wall to the free-hanging section of the last rappel. This critical point falls approximately halfway down the descent, making it challenging to inspect easily. You might want to re-rig your rope between rappelers to try and prevent excessive wear at that single point.

Descent: Rappel # 1 The initially documented descent line involves an 80-foot rappel to the side of the watercourse. This information is what is believed to have led to the tragic story above. The newer and preferred Rappel # 1 is the 300-foot rappel situated next to the watercourse. It’s crucial to clearly identify which route you intend to take. Make sure to consult current sources for essential information about this canyon. For the 300-foot rappel ensure the webbing is extended as far as possible. Bring a 40-foot piece of webbing to rig this rappel if it is not already in place or is damaged.

Once down rappel 1, rappel 2 immediately follows and is about 100 feet. Continue down the middle V-trough canyon section, several short rappels can be down-climbed at a moderate level. Two of the more challenging downclimbs can also be rappelled, there are anchors for each of these.

During the last rappel, careful rope management is crucial to avoid impacting hikers below in The Narrows. Approximately halfway down the rappel, the landing zone becomes visible, this is the best spot for dropping the rope bag since you’ll be able to see if there are people below. The rappel goes free hanging from this point. This is the spot I mentioned above where coreshots have happened. The anchor is extended about 20 feet from the boulder for a reasonable pull, the drop measures ~240 feet, with about 140 feet being free hanging.

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