“Is there really such a thing as quicksand?”
In my last post, Canyoneering in Utah, Harnesses, Helmets & Hooks (Part 1), Hubby, Teen Daughter and I got geared up. We hiked to the top of the canyons, listened closely as James Milligan, our Zion Outfitters guide, taught us how to rappel on vertical sandstone, and learned that friction is our friend.
Tip: “Lower you butt until it’s in line with your feet, then ‘walk’ down the canyon.”
James informed us that the bottom of the canyons had been dry for the past four years, but it had flooded in April as well as rained the night before. We were going to have to jump into water. How deep was the water? Not sure. What was at the bottom of the water? Quicksand!
Hubby rappelled first, then belayed Teen Daughter, me and James. When there was just a pool of (cold) water at the canyon bottom, Hubby would let us know where is seemed shallowest. Then we’d jump in and scramble to flat ground. Teamwork was essential!
James guessed (right) that there was quicksand at the bottom of one pool. I’d doubted if quicksand really existed. Hon, quicksand is real! Hubby went down first, hoisted himself out of the goop and made it to flat ground. Whew! He held the rope below while James held it above, creating a taut line for me and Teen Daughter to grab onto and, hand-over-hand, get us out of the muck. But the muck pulled me in!
Want to know what panic feels like? It feels like quicksand sucking you in, drawing you deeper as you try to kick your way out. Help!
I used all of my upper body strength to pull up on that taut rope. I hollered for Hubby to grab my arm and GET ME THE HECK OUT OF THERE!
Once we were all out, the feeling was fabulous. WE DID IT!
Naomi M. Gruer 