Thornton Creek Canyon, North Cascades National Park, PNW Fest
Thornton was the business. It was my favorite canyon of the trip, though some of the other festers would like to disagree. But let's be real, this thing has it all. Rapid-fire rappels, lots of water, unbelievable scenery, lots of water, crazy hydraulics, and lots of water. And the best part, the canyon is 2 miles long. Too bad only the lowest 1/4 mile has been completed. Looks like we've found ourselves some unfinished business. But that unfinished business will have to wait another day. I'm dying to know what's up there though. If the last little bottom part is any indicator, there's a world class canyon to be had here. Of course, what do I know, I've been in the PNW for like 4 days now. Regardless, the place is killer.
Tom getting a swirly in Thornton.
Tom after the first rappel, contemplating the inevitable jump into some serious flow.
The canyon drops fast, with countless waterfalls separated by countless swirling pools. None of the raps are really straight forward, they all have something unique to them. On one, you climb onto a ledge mid rappel, pull out 10 or 15 feet of slack, and then huck yourself into the water, hoping you measured well enough to carry out the back. On another, you have to carefully navigate a chest deep pool that is sure to spin your right round. Oh yeah, and the water is loud, too.
Tom trying to keep his head up after making the leap of faith. (Thornton Creek)
Tom trying to keep his head up after making the leap of faith.
Bob manning the contingency anchor.
Tom, still on the first rap.
Roger heading into the gauntlet.
Roof’less Toof’less on rappel.
That’s what happens when you don’t give yourself enough slack.
And that’s the feeling of relief when you make it across.
And now, Jane.
Tom exerting.
Tom reevaluating.
Satisfied, he heads farther down.
Roger.
Roger.
Roger.
Roofless Toofless doing his best waterski impression
And down he goes.
I’ll leave this one up to your imagination. Count the ropes, count the hands…
Tom tossing some rope, bypassing the big nasty.
Jane getting punished.
Jane post-punishment.
Roger on the big nasty three stage rappel. The bolted anchor takes you down the left, looking up canyon, and exposes you to some serious water. Some may say we took the “sally” approach. They may be right…
Tom on the 4th rappel, anchored off a log wedged in the canyon. Some serious hydraulics in this section.
Toofless, mastering the “stare at the rope” pose. Nice work Steve.
Steven, heading down into the abyss. From the top, this one looks super intense. Once in the water, it wasn’t that bad.
Steven fighting across the watercourse.
And finally, disconnecting.
After the 5th rappel, it mellows out for awhile. Lots of pools, lots of fun.
Jane coming down the last sequence of pools (last for us, still more down canyon if you keep going.)
Roger negotiates the triple threat.
And down he goes…
Bob the garbage man, always at the back, cleaning up the mess.
Get the man some dancing shoes, check out those moves. Twinkle toes. Bob has mastered the art of staying dry.
Hmmm….. How do I stay dry here?
Finally, Thornton takes Bob down. Smile Bob, this is fun.