Englestead

Seven or so years ago I was asked if I had ever been repelling. I answered yes. I was told at girls camp once that an activity we did was repelling.. I later learned to find out that I had only been "lowered".. Englestead was the first slot canyon Gordon and Marty took me on. I think of it as initiation into the Larsen family. For some reason it didn't scare me away. 

The first drop into the slot is 300 feet! We did it in 2 parts where we stopped part way pulled the rope and then continued down to the bottom. It being my first time though I wasn't nearly experienced enough.. My hair got caught in my repel device and I had to pull it out (ouch!) or Gordon would've had to ascend up and cut it off.. I also accidentally let go of the rope once after falling funny into the rock and learned quickly that was very dangerous and I was not to do it again.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Later on in that slot I also fell 10-15 feet down a log jamb. Gordon and Marty were standing on the same log helping both Eric and I down the jamb. Marty realized this and went to move as not to snap the log and just as he stopped spotting me my arm gave out and I fell. I had no memory of any pain from the fall and jumped right up saying "I'm fine, I'm fine". It actually felt as though I landed on clouds. My older brother actually had just left on his mission and I remember when he was set apart as a missionary for the LDS church in the blessing he was promised that his family would be watched over, protected, and kept safe while he was gone. That promise came to my mind as I jumped up and realized I was unhurt. Gordon expected me to have some injuries and possibly not be able to finish the canyon. 

I was able to do this slot canyon again after much more experience rappelling. We were going to do the 300 foot rappel in one shot but were unable to find it and ended up dropping in at a new spot.. After 5 rappels and 800 feet we made it to the bottom. That was an interesting experience and I am very glad I was with Gordon. I knew he would get us safely to the bottom. However, there was one point when he told us he wasn't even sure this was the right canyon.. It was a frightening little while. 

Once we were to the bottom though the rest of the canyon went smoothly and there were no other incidents. It too was a very memorable canyon!