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Request help from climbers

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 Author Topic: Request help from climbers
Scott


Joined: 21 Aug 2003
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:30 pm GMT  Quote
 
Last Labor Day weekend, four of us did some rugged and remote canyons and peaks in Dinosaur National Monument (CO side). What we discovered in one canyon was a large natural arch. Using the rappel ropes as a guide (the arch was just below one of our rappel points), I came up with the estimate of a span of 230-240 feet (Which could be in error), but conservatively say it could have been somewhere between 200-250 feet. If so, that would make this the 5th to 10th largest known arch in the world, and the largest "new discovery" reported in the United States since Wrather Arch (Paria) was first reported in the 1950's. Only one arch since then has been reported to be over 200 feet and it is in Africa in 2004.

The Natural Arch and Bridge Society (Jay Wilber) wants us to get a group together and go measure the arch accurately. Getting to the arch (I went on Labor Day) would involve a backpacking trip, wading the Yampa River (It was knee to waist deep on our trip) one exposed section of climbing on rock, and of course rappels. If anyone is interested in coming, let me know.
SteamboatClimber


Joined: 12 Jan 2006
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:34 pm GMT  Quote
 
When are you thinking of going Scott? I may be able to get away in October or November as the building season winds down here in Steamboat. What kind of gear are you thinking you will be using to measure the arch?
Kane


Joined: 04 Oct 2001
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:39 pm GMT  Quote
 
Scott do you have a photo?
Scott


Joined: 21 Aug 2003
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:00 pm GMT  Quote
 
Quote:
Scott do you have a photo?


Yes. Because the arch stands against the cliff wall, it isn’t as impressive as it could be (this one is similar to Morning Glory Arch), but it is still a big one and a genuine one.

I have these three photos, but Stephen’s photos will be better since they are from the side and up canyon (from the top of the rappel). They will show the opening much better.

The first photo "arch from the top" was actually shot from the summit of Peak 6489 before we even knew the arch was there. I found it while scanning through the photos. Anyway, this was actually taken from 1100 feet above the arch and looking down and is zoomed way in. Since this is a 2D photo, and zoomed in from 1100 feet higher, there is one thing that is somewhat deceiving by looking at the photo. The arch actually isn't reachable from the river, but there were two rappels and some tricky down climbs in the canyon between the arch and river. It's harder than it looks to get there!



The other two photos "arch from the front" are from the front, but don't show the opening that well, especially since the light was fading (and we were in a big hurry to get out by dark!). We'll have to wait for Stephen’s photo for that.





In any case, it would be nice to put Colorado on the map for big arches. Rattlesnake Canyn near Fruita is well known, and is great, but the arches are much smaller and none make the "Big Ten List".

http://www.naturalarches.org/big9.htm

Quote:
When are you thinking of going Scott?


The river is going to start getting real cold after mid-October, so hopefully before then.

Quote:
What kind of gear are you thinking you will be using to measure the arch?


They are getting back to me on that. It better be smaller than the equipment we use to measure highways. No way I could drag that stuff in there.
CharlesD


Joined: 15 Mar 2004
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:43 pm GMT  Quote
 
mjp wrote:
Maybe get Tommy Caldwell involved - he seems to really have his way with arches...


Laughing Don't you mean Dean Potter? Laughing

Great find, Scott. Looks really nifty.
vanny37


Joined: 17 Feb 2004
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:16 pm GMT  Quote
 
Wow... pretty cool. I'll keep my eye on your plans Scott - I have most of my weekends free till ski season starts!

Sounds like it takes rappels to get to the arch, but what kind of climbing will it take to get back out?? or just jug the ropes?

How technical were the routes you guys took to the summits of these peaks where the photo was shot?

Last edited by vanny37 on Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:20 pm; edited 1 time in total
Scott


Joined: 21 Aug 2003
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:20 pm GMT  Quote
 
Quote:
Sounds like it takes rappels to get to the arch, but what kind of climbing will it take to get back out??


You just rappel to the river, do a few down climbs, and wade out. Tough part is getting into the canyon where the arch is located. Getting out is easier.

Quote:
How technical were the routes you guys took to the summits of these peaks where the photo was shot?


This one (which appears to be one of the easiest in the area) is 5.4, but with lot's of scrambling and a very obscure route.
vanny37


Joined: 17 Feb 2004
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:22 pm GMT  Quote
 
Scott Patterson wrote:
This one (which appears to be one of the easiest in the area) is 5.4, but with lot's of scrambling and a very obscure route.


First Ascent?
Scott


Joined: 21 Aug 2003
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:29 pm GMT  Quote
 
Quote:
First Ascent?


We thought we were making the first ascent of the peak, but we found a cairn about half mile from the summit and 300-400 feet below it. No signs of previous ascent on the summit, but the cairn was enough that we are not claiming it as a first. We left nothing ourselves except for some webbing and rings for rappel stations and some makeshift anchors. The descents down the two canyons were certainly first, but there is a good possiblity someone else has climbed the peak.
Andy


Joined: 19 Jul 2002
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:44 pm GMT  Quote
 
How big is the gap between the arch and the rock wall behind it?
Scott


Joined: 21 Aug 2003
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:47 pm GMT  Quote
 
Probably 6-10 feet (?) on the south end (just a wild guess), but less on the north. We didn't hang around enough to check it out too much since it was getting dark.
Aaron Johnson


Joined: 19 Jun 2002
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 10:54 pm GMT  Quote
 
Congratulations, Scott. That is one BIG arch. Cool project, too, putting Colorado on the list of big arch owners. Awesome! Keep us posted on this.
RyanS


Joined: 19 May 2003
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 12:22 am GMT  Quote
 
Very cool, Scott! Will you guys be gracing this new arch with a name?
Scott


Joined: 21 Aug 2003
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:22 am GMT  Quote
 
Quote:
Very cool, Scott! Will you guys be gracing this new arch with a name?


We've just been calling it Outlaw Arch because Outlaw Park is the nearest named feature.
vanny37


Joined: 17 Feb 2004
Posts: 126

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PostPosted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:29 am GMT  Quote
 
Scott,

Looking through some of those arch sites you link, it seems to me the methods they use to measure an arch and the standards that define the way to measure arches vary and are suspect in accuracy. (Although, it did seem that they have since set some standards) That said, what kind of novel, accurate ways do you think could be used to measure this hunk of rock?... and be portable in the backcountry Wink Might help if it doubles as a floatation device if we get any more rain out here Razz

I've used a bunch of laser distancers in the mines, but they never seem to be great at long distances (course, that was underground in pretty harsh conditions). How about just good old fashioned triangulation w/ a compass or a lightweight survey transit? You might be able to make one from a scope and a protractor on a level tripod... Have access to a nuts-on GPS, not one that is scrambled a little bit?
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