Englestead Hollow

Left my 300' rope at first drop till next morning with no trouble (I think we were the only ones in this canyon that day).

We approached the big drop with a lot of caution, and both used large-diameter friction hitches. No problems, though admittedly the arms get a little tired by the bottom of a rap that long (probably in part related to cold and, well, 300'...). A few stinky, murky potholes, otherwise dry. Lots of cold water in Orderville. Despite late time of year and this being our first time, we started at dawn and made Sinewava in about 9 hours, well before dark or last shuttle.

Canyon was super fun. We went up Orderville for the exit route. Everyone we contacted about water though had us convinced that we would see very little water but tons of mud. We ran into tons a mud and 2 pools nips deep, 5 or so waist deep pools, and lots of ankle deep pools all in the lower section of the canyon. The pool in the upper section was about knee deep but that was expected. We were a bit chilly but fine without wetsuits. Wished I had brought my wetsocks that day. I think the high for Zion that day was upper 70s I think. Anchors were all good, webbing was good but will need replaced in some spots come spring time. There was one spot in the lower section with a miserable rappel down a small crack the rope pull was very tricky there since it wanted to wedge itself in with the rocks so be cautious of that. The climb at the rappel in Orderville was very slick from all the mud too.

Englestead is drying out. Two waist deep wades, no swims. Water is very stinky, especially in the big pothole. All mud is avoidable (for feet, not ropes).

Group of 5 took just under 11 hours from TH to shuttle stop. Time includes troubleshooting stuck ropes at two raps (it wasn't our day) and a guided rappel over the big pot.

We left stuck ropes at Rap 4. If anyone finds them, you'd have my everlasting gratitude if you could get in touch: 7I3 542 9I46.

Lower narrow section of Englestead had 1 frigid cold swim and a couple of wading pools. A shorty wetsuit was adequate though quite cold. A 3/4 long wetsuit got really warm hiking in the 80 degree weather. There was a little mud in the canyon but not excessive. There was a very cold wind blowing at the top of the first rappel at 7:15 am. Group of 3 took 8.5 hours from TH to Temple of Sinawawa. We're efficient and we take time to take lots of pictures... and a poop break out of the wetsuit. Overall a very lovely day in a very lovely canyon.

Several rappels have odd starts, bulky backpacks should be sent down ahead if possible on the tight fit rappels.

Some mud but not as much as previous reports said there had been. Canyon is drying up.

First rappel, we used option B with webbing high up on tree. Seemed to be the best option for pulling.

More down-climbs than anticipated.

About 3 full on swims. First 2 swims were super cold. About 4 chest deep pools to get through. Several waist high wades. 3 of us had wet suites and were grateful for them.

High was around 85 that day. In the canyon it was probably 80 degrees.

Once out and into the Narrows, took us about 1.5 hours to get to the shuttle.

Group of 6 took us 12.5 hours. Probably would have taken us less time because we had other groups ahead of us we were waiting for.

Amazing canyon! Did the full 290' rap off the tree (left a courtesy anchor that probably won't get used). Lots of mud everywhere. Made for messy rope and happy muddy faces! Many Wade's and short swims. Went down Orderville which had amazing clear water and fun little slides. 4 people took just under 10 hours from TH to the shuttle stop.

Englestead has always gotten a 5 from me.

But instead of its usual sandy, rocky, warmish, straightfordness... it is currently soaking wet everywhere, multiple swims, cold, a couple log soups, and silty-slippy-sticky mud /everywhere/.

Nothing went wrong on the descent; it was just not classic Englestead.

5 of us took the Narrows exit, no wetsuits needed. No water until near the end of Orderville which had a couple swimmers and above waist deep pools. Water was swimming pool temp. Anchors were mostly in good shape, one webbing was fair. We did 290' rap to start.

We took the good use trail at the TH parking that goes down the hill and dropped us off at R1 < 30 min.

Beware! someone--likely an Orderville day hiker--took a dump at the bottom of the last rap of Englestead. We burried it best we could with rocks as it was uncovered in solid mud. Luckily our rope didn't land in it.

We did the variation multi-pitch entry (~90' + 200') + Narrows exti. Bolts at mid-station were showing some rust, but still ok. All other anchors were in good state. There was a dead-man at the last rap. All the Englestead section of the hike was almost dry. The only waist deep water was at the pothole close to the exit. We carried wetsuits, but only used them on the lower part of Orderville were there were 2 swimmers past the guillotine.

A few swimmers toward the bottom of the canyon.

Water still flowing a little at the top 300' entrance. Used 4/3 wetsuits and we were chilled just a bit. Once out of the deep dark section, we were ok. We found a hung/stuck rope (7.7mm Petzl Paso) in rap no. 6 (or 5?). It looks like the previous party cut about 25' of their 200' rope. This rap has 2 small choke stones on a very narrow passage that are just perfect to get your rope stuck on the pull. Be careful on this pull by pulling slowly and avoid whipping the tail around the chokestones.

There is one small pothole keeper that is easily defeated with a partner assist in dry/semi-dry conditions. Be ready to toss a pack or pothshot is this one has enough water to make it a swimmer.

We exited downstream Orderville to Narrows.

Rebuilt several webbing cluster anchors. Everything is in good condition. Wet suits worn, but not really needed for Orderville exit, although they made the water more enjoyable.

The canyon was dry. I did this last Oct and it was more dry this round. Very fun - anchors are in good condition. We had a ascend Orderville as we did not get the permit. If you do this, keep in mind there is one maneuver to make for the first rappel in Orderville. We used partner assist and a little bit of pot hole escape technique to make the move and hang a rope for the rest of the group.

Very little snow at the bottom of first rap. Pothole at 3rd rap is waist deep, other than that a pretty dry canyon. More log jams to downclimb and rap off this time than I remember. We exited up Orderville and out Wild Wind to avoid car shuttles

Waist to chest deep water from big drop at head of canyon. Otherwise only a few pools that are avoidable. No wetsuit unless going down orderville

Very wet. 4 or 5 waist deep pools and some slick mud on the shoes. No wetsuit needed.

Completely dry before Orderville. The water in Orderville was a perfect temperature. We removed and replaced webbing at a few of the drops as needed.

Big wall rap nerves at top quickly turn to enjoyment. Big ice wall and clear pool at the large ledge. Smaller chunk of ice and deer carcass at the bottom. 4th rap's pothole is dry. About 1/3 mile after 4th rap two of us passed over a log not noticing the 3' Rattler off to the side. It warned our 3rd with vigorous rattling. We scooted it away with a long stick. Do keep an eye out, though, a bite here could be long wait for rescue. Last rap now has an anchor off the downclimb's dihedral crack. That was fast and nice, about 50'. Orderville water starts before the small waterfall rap. Several short swims or neck deep pools. We used wetsuits, but could have gotten by without. Cool water the rest of the way felt good on a hot day.

There was ice on the first rappel, mostly just a thin sheet, but thicker in a few spots. It was fragile though and kept knocking loose chunks that people below had to dodge, don't forget those helmets. There was knee deep water at the bottom of the 2nd rappel, but nowhere else. Best to just strip down or roll up pants and wade through than to carry a wetsuit through the whole canyon for one spot.

I was with Tim. I'm glad I had my wetsuit, especially in Orderville. The 4th Englestead rappel through the pothole was fun and pretty. The pothole was full, but only up to my waist (I'm 6' 1") and easy to get into and out. ~300' entry rappel was awesome! Thanks to my wife who minded the rope at the top for 2 groups of 6 to use, then pulled it, and hiked it out!!!!