Death Canyon, North Wash
Last Candition: February 18, 2012
Sandstone was dry so scrambling up the "fourth class" section was straightforward. First rappel could use new webbing. We avoided it by down-climbing. Final rappel anchor was sound. Pool at base of rappel was maybe a foot deep? We avoided most of it by standing on the two logs in the pool. Only got wet up to our ankles.
Took about 1:20 car to car for two of us. More of a hike than a canyon. Downclimbed the first drop, although there was good webbing and a quicklink for a rappel. Webbing for the final rappel was in good condition. Shin deep water at the bottom of the rappel and the walls near the bottom are covered in slime.
Bottom pool mostly mud. Deadman anchor is gone currently there is a single knot block in place. Alternatively there is a slung chock stone that could be rigged with a releasable anchor. Rebuilding the deadman would likely require up-hauling rocks from below which at the moment will result in a muddy mess.
At the base of the one rappel, there was only a very small pool of water and a large, flat area of mostly stable sand but there was some "quicksand" in a few spots. Was able to assist most everyone over it easily. Present anchor is a deadman with extended sling about 10-15 feet back from the main drop. The wedged chockstone farther back is covered with plant debris & would be difficult to use now.