Angel Cove + Middle Lep

 On February 6-8, 2026, Cindy and I took advantage of the idyllic canyoneering weather in Hanksville.

We did a lap through Middle Lep, which was Cindy's first time through that canyon.  She did great!  Her physical and mental preparation paid off big time.

We were feeling pretty beat up the next day, so we visited Goblin Valley.  I told tall tales of publishing a route there many years ago, named Goblin's Lair.  Cindy wanted to see the top of the entry rappel, so we went and checked it out.  I should have brought a rope!  Next time.

On our final day we descended Angel Cove.  What a great surprise!  A very high quality canyon with a spicy exit route.  I would highly recommend it to anyone that has not been. 

Cindy's skills are improving quickly.  I am looking forward to our next trip together.  We are thinking of adding wetsuits.  So exciting!

Middle Leprechaun Canyon

Goblin Valley

Angel Cove

Thanksgiving Canyoneering

On November 27–29, 2025, Cindy, Jackson, Cara, Gage, and I got together to do some canyons over Thanksgiving weekend. We did Hog 2, Slideanide, and Angel Slot. These were Cindy’s and Gage’s first technical canyons, and they did great.

Stan’s Burger Shak in Hanksville served a surprisingly good Thanksgiving night meal. It’s not a place I ever pictured having Thanksgiving dinner, but it definitely added joy to our holiday.

I’m grateful to everyone for coming out to the desert this past weekend. It was arguably the most enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend I’ve ever experienced.

Cindy's very first rappel.  So brave!

Thanksgiving dinner at Stan's.  Seriously, so fun.  So thankful.

Middle Lep and Scar Tissue

On November 2nd and 3rd, my friend Nick and I did a couple of fun laps through Middle Lep and Scar Tissue.  Middle Lep was Nick's first canyon and he styled it.  Scar Tissue was a great non-technical adventure which required a crossing of the Dirty Devil.  The river crossing was refreshing on our sore ankles and feet and actually added to the fun of the day.  I am looking forward to Nick completing the build of his adventure van so that he can live down by the river.

The drive to Scar Tissue.  Hite Marina overlook.

Scar Tissue Canyon

Middle Leprechaun Canyon

On April 5th, 2025, Joe, Claire, Jordan, Jackson, Cara, Meg, Easton, and I did a lap through Middle Leprechaun Canyon.  This was my 6th trip through the slot.  My first trip was 14 years previous - which was very difficult to believe.  This was Joe, Claire, Meg, and Easton's first technical canyon.

The sand level in the canyon was several feet lower than I had ever seen it before, which made the bottom of the slot more narrow than usual.  This narrowing made passage more difficult than usual.  Additionally, the canyon had seen some rain during the previous day, which added to the challenge.

The highlight of the day was an unusual partner assist where the skinny people in the group stood in the bottom of the slot while the bigger people walked across their shoulders.  Incredible!

I am thankful for everyone in this group for getting together for this adventure.  It was another fun and memorable trip through Middle Lep.  I can't wait to go back for my 7th lap.