Return to N Fire Peak-- New Canyon

pics by Harlan W.S & Lori C
Nov 11, 2011

I was last in this area 3 years ago (Fire N, Fire S). Nick N explored this area a lot, and much of my beta was from him. Years ago, Bob G would lead trips out here, and would bring a long extension ladder to go up to a sketchy section on the last rappel. This a remote, hard-to-get-to, very seldom visited area. I was intentionally looking for a canyon system with few raps; believe me, you can find much tougher canyons in the area.

Thanks to Lori for some pics (credited below), for expertise with anchors, and for carrying the rope!

We went counter-clockwise around the loop, starting from the paved parking area off Northshore Road.	The 1^st significant obstacle requires a climb to the R (E) to the lip of a fluted pour-off.	Catclaw acacias are the dominant plants.
We’re over the lip.	…then we turn L and rejoin the main canyon.	Soon another large fall is avoided by heading up a cliff on the L side.
	(Pic courtesy Lori C)	(Pic courtesy Lori C)
	I’m on the ledge labeled “don’t go here” on the map. It’s much safer to follow the dotted blue line.	Lori’s view back at me. I crawled and chimneyed up to this perch. (Pic courtesy Lori C)
I next tried to coax Lori and Richard up here, but after dropping rocks on Lori, I admitted the normal way was saner.	So we split apart for a short time. I thought I would have an easy go once past that rough area, but around this corner, I hit a dryfall with an overhanging lip, and had to climb up the canyon wall.	Needless to say, I was quite happy when I once more saw my compatriots.
Lori and Richard took this route. (Pic courtesy Lori C)	Valley of Fire to north. We hit the 1141m highpoint, and forewent the other peaks, as we weren’t sure if the daylight and weather allowed too much exploration.
I didn’t have time to stretch! (Pic courtesy Lori C)	On the edge, descent of 1141m.
	We needed just one rap on the way down this unknown (to me) canyon.	View UP.
Longwell (Fire) highpoint to S.	There were two fairly big arches on the way out; Nick told me about these long ago.
I’m up there for scale! (Pic courtesy Lori C)
We never did figure out what a “thigh belay” was supposed to be.	The last rap. Lori quickly fashioned a new anchor. The old anchor webbing fell apart in my hands.	(Pic courtesy Lori C)
The “ladders” ascent route required carrying in a ladder that would reach about to where Lori’s feet are placed! It was a dicey climb, with a step off the last rung onto slick, sloped rock.