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Lost Rope near Sundance Canyon (West Clear Creek), AZ

Original Post
Sarah Theurer AZ · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 0

We were forced to abandon our rope (200' Sterling Canyontech Rope) and 200' green pull cord (basic 6mm accessory cord). If anyone is running this canyon and releases these ropes, if you would please contact me, I would be greatly indebted to you! We live about 2 1/2 hours away and it has been raining too much to risk the trip back up. I'll happily treat you to dinner (read as: $50) and bring you some drop dead amazing cookies for hauling it up and out that nasty slope.
Sarah at 801-644-4997, or setheurer@gmail.com

Yesterday we had a fantastic, beautiful day canyoneering in Northern Arizona. We ran Bear Canyon and then Sundance Canyon (near West Clear Creek) without troubles. Three of the five of us have had several years of canyoneering experience and we have NEVER had to leave a rope. Last person down tossed the pull cord on the last rappel in Sundance, it was a clean throw, no problems, and there were not any suspicious cracks or anything we sae to stick it at the top. When we pulled the rope however, it was VERY stuck. There was some twisting on the last rappel, but nothing you would think to stick a rope. As we were descending the last rappel, the blue sky had clouds roll in and began to POUR! We found higher ground and waited, but as it would not let up after same time, we became concerned about the dirt road out, and after a few more tries, had to leave the ropes and hike out. We could not ascend the rope to free it, because of the storm. Back in Phoenix now and hoping to catch someone running the canyon in the next few days.
:( Thank you for any possible help!

Stephen Sperry · · Scottsdale, Arizona · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 5

We camped at the base of Sundance last Sunday September 28th and were confused about what this rope was doing in the crack beside the final rappel. It clearly wasn't used for the final rappel so we could only imagine it was left from someone aborting the crack without enough rope to pull it down. The rope wasn't moving from that spot. Anyways probably not the response you were looking for but it is a stuck rope nonetheless. There were no other ropes that I saw.

Rope

Ryan Myers · · Tempe, AZ · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 2,736

Hello everyone. The rope in Stephens picture is mine. For the past few months I have been working on a new route going up the roof crack system in the grotto of Sundance canyon. It has been an incredible project and some of the most rewarding climbing I have ever done. Due to the weather and other factors(work) it has taken me longer than expected. The last trip there I was hoping to finish the route but the weather gods did not agree and sent a wall of water our way. Unfortunately we had to fix our haul line and get out of there in a hurry. That's when I met Sarah and her friends. We have not had a chance to get back to the route in the last two weeks but do plan on making it down there to finish the route and remove the terribly bright rope hanging off the wall. I do apologize for it being left so long but do hope the route and rope be left alone for a little while longer to give us a chance to finish. Thanks.

PS the route is going to be called tipped out 2x4s and will prob be rated c2. We have placed one bolt and a couple of fixed pins. Expect the route to be climbed in 3 pitches. I look forward to opening up this line and seeing some other climbers get on it. It's truly an awesome route.

PSS-Sarah, unfortunately as you probably just read I was unable to make it back in time and retrieve your ropes. Hope someone got them back to you. If you have any pics from that day send them to myers1210@hotmail.com thx

Stephen Sperry · · Scottsdale, Arizona · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 5

Glad we figured out what that rope was doing there! Good luck on the first ascent Ryan!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Arizona & New Mexico
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