Conditions:Poe Canyon-20220406013018

Latest:	2 Apr 2022 (3 yrs, 1 month ago)

Reported by:	Calvin Jiricko (1 reports)
Quality:	Amazing
Waterflow:	Deep pools
Wetsuit:	Full wetsuit
Water temperature:
Difficulty:	Advanced
Time: "Three Days" is not a number.	File:TimeX.png hour	File:BarX.png

Team: 5 people with experience level Advanced to Beginner

Trip report URL:

Comments: My group of 5 just descended Poe Canyon on April 2, 2022. The canyon is in keeper mode, with chest deep water in the Pit of Despair, and many other potholes that are only partially filled with water, requiring pothole escape tactics. The Wart section was the danger crux for our group, and seemed much more heads up than the Pit of Despair. Based on our assessment, the Wart is going to fall or break off, and soon. The Wart produced a hollow sound when we tapped on it, and nothing about the feature was confidence inspiring. We backed up the Wart rappel with two equalized hooks, which also did not inspire confidence. If I were to do it again, I might consider going into and climbing out of the Wormhole to avoid the Wart. This could be accomplished by climbing up near the Wart, and dropping several potshots on a single rope down canyon past the wormhole. (From my foggy memory, this seems like it might be an easy potshot toss.) With an ascent rope set up, you could rap into the wormhole with a sand trap, and ascend up a single line. (Batman-ing or monkey-ing up several lines as is the normal practice in the Pit of Despair could be much more dangerous in the Wormhole, as the exit wall of the Wormhole was overhanging, and 35' tall, bigger than the P.o.D. in the conditions we saw it in.)

A wanker would make the canyon more like an R rated canyon than an X rated canyon. We did not have a wanker, and had to rappel off many questionable hooks and rivet hangers on single bolts as a result. If you do not have a wanker, I would HIGHLY recommend having hooks and knowing how to use them. A wanker would also eliminate the need for some very exposed and slippery climbing needed to reach some of those hook and rivet anchors, as you can just rap right out of some potholes. Two sand traps would be nice for canyon efficiency. Pitons might be better to bring than a bolt kit as an emergency escape tool.

There was one single, shiny bolt high up on the left side of the canyon wall before the Pit of Despair. This was clearly added after the first descent, and is not part of the sketchy aid traverse. It might be to secure the person making the P.o.D. throw, but a partner can easily assist in securing the stance of the potshot thrower, rather than a bolt. If our crew would have had the proper equipment to chop it, we would have. Just sayin.

All condition reports

Date	Quality	Waterflow	Wetsuit	Difficulty	Time	Team	Reported by
21 May 2025	Amazing	Deep pools	Rain jacket	Normal	10 hours	4 people Advanced to Expert	Natureboytimflair (68 reports)
2 Apr 2022	Amazing	Deep pools	Full wetsuit	Advanced	File:TimeX.png hour File:BarX.png	5 people Advanced to Beginner	Calvin Jiricko (1 reports)
Comment: My group of 5 just descended Poe Canyon on April 2, 2022. The canyon is in keeper mode, with chest deep water in the Pit of Despair, and many other potholes that are only partially filled with water, requiring pothole escape tactics. The Wart section was the danger crux for our group, and seemed much more heads up than the Pit of Despair. Based on our assessment, the Wart is going to fall or break off, and soon. The Wart produced a hollow sound when we tapped on it, and nothing about the feature was confidence inspiring. We backed up the Wart rappel with two equalized hooks, which also did not inspire confidence. If I were to do it again, I might consider going into and climbing out of the Wormhole to avoid the Wart. This could be accomplished by climbing up near the Wart, and dropping several potshots on a single rope down canyon past the wormhole. (From my foggy memory, this seems like it might be an easy potshot toss.) With an ascent rope set up, you could rap into the wormhole with a sand trap, and ascend up a single line. (Batman-ing or monkey-ing up several lines as is the normal practice in the Pit of Despair could be much more dangerous in the Wormhole, as the exit wall of the Wormhole was overhanging, and 35' tall, bigger than the P.o.D. in the conditions we saw it in.) A wanker would make the canyon more like an R rated canyon than an X rated canyon. We did not have a wanker, and had to rappel off many questionable hooks and rivet hangers on single bolts as a result. If you do not have a wanker, I would HIGHLY recommend having hooks and knowing how to use them. A wanker would also eliminate the need for some very exposed and slippery climbing needed to reach some of those hook and rivet anchors, as you can just rap right out of some potholes. Two sand traps would be nice for canyon efficiency. Pitons might be better to bring than a bolt kit as an emergency escape tool. There was one single, shiny bolt high up on the left side of the canyon wall before the Pit of Despair. This was clearly added after the first descent, and is not part of the sketchy aid traverse. It might be to secure the person making the P.o.D. throw, but a partner can easily assist in securing the stance of the potshot thrower, rather than a bolt. If our crew would have had the proper equipment to chop it, we would have. Just sayin.
8 May 2021	Great	Dry	None	Advanced	10 hours	6 people	Natureboytimflair (68 reports)
26 May 2019	Amazing	Deep pools	Full wetsuit	Advanced	13 hours	4 people Advanced to Expert	Bioject (12 reports)
Comment: The water level in pit of despair is about 6-7 feet from lip. Took about 2.5 hours to pass the obstacle. All of the potholes in the canyon had water in them however many needed partner assists to get out. There are now two bomber bolts for the final rap. The wort hole anchor is a bit sketchy. I wouldn't be surprised if it fails eventually.
20 May 2018	Amazing	Very Low	None	Extreme	3 days	4 people Intermediate to Expert	Nathandonny (9 reports)
Comment: Amazing canyon, walked through most of the potholes. The pit was dry, so much fun! We approached from the road at night, made finding our way down a bit more challenging. We took 10 hrs in the technical section.
12 Oct 2015	Amazing	Swimming	Full wetsuit	Advanced	8 hours	6 people Expert	A. Anderson (33 reports)
Comment: Canyon had a lot of water. The Pit of Despair was about 4 feet below the lip. Didn't use any sandtraps. Meat anchors and then the last person downclimbed. Might be tricky if you don't have a good climber as some areas were you might use a sandtrap were full of water. Warthole was also about 4 feet below the lip. Started the hike at 5:30am from camp at Halls Creek. Arrived at the drop-in just as the sun was coming up (around 7am). Used the alternate exit (Canyon Left) to avoid the bushwhack at the end of the canyon.
29 Jun 2013 Trip report							CanyonCollective.com (83 reports)
Comment: Most recent conditions reported at CanyonCollective.com, see Trip Report for full details.