Ocelot
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| | Difficulty:4B I R (v5a2 I) Raps:2, max ↨130ft
Red Tape:Permit required Shuttle: Rock type:Sandstone | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 30 Apr 2018
"2.5 hours camp to camp from what is a great camp spot right at the base of the canyon. Nice, short skinny narrows with some easy stemming. The potho |
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| Best season: | Spring or Fall
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36.9315, -111.0568
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WaterflowIntroduction[edit]
Approach[edit]
Descent[edit]
This canyon is short and sweet. If you are in the area and are good at using advanced anchoring techniques, be sure to do this little canyon.
Carefully follow the approach line down into the canyon. If you find yourself downclimbing anything dangerous or difficult, then you are in the wrong spot.
Once in the canyon, you will soon arrive at a 60 foot rappel. The beginning of the drop pinches and is a slightly awkward. We put a log across the pinch and used a Fiddlestick to conquer this drop. A large rock might work here.
Just downcanyon from the rappel the canyon pinches off. Most will prefer to go up and over the pinch, then elevator downclimb back into the slot shortly afterward - the movement is easy.
The final sequence is a two stage rappel from a water anchor. The first half of the drop is about 35 feet, the second half of the drop is about 80 feet. After the first stage is a very large pothole that would probably be a difficult keeper when it is not completely full. The bottom of the second stage ends in a pool. 130 feet of rope is required to rig this drop.
Time: We were able to do this canyon in 2 hours at an average pace. A few of the guys in the group went to the top and did a second lap (literally running) in exactly one hour.
Rappels: 60 feet from a convenient object, 130 feet from a water anchor.
Mandatory Equipment: Water anchor, Fiddlestick, 2x130 of rope. In low water conditions Potshots might be required to get across the pothole on the final drop.
Neoprene: 5/4mm full length suits, booties, gloves, vest, hood, beanie. The person/people manning the water anchor will be in the water a long time, be sure they wear enough neoprene.
Please play fair and do not add bolts to this route. We were able to ghost Ocelot with moderate effort.
Upper Ocelot[edit]
Upper Ocelot is a simple walk-though and is not included on the map below. It can be done from the bottom or the top. It isn’t bad if you have a few minutes to spare and want to extend the canyon a bit.
Exit[edit]
Red tape[edit]
Hiking in this area requires a permit from the Navajo Nation. I recommend mailing your permit request a few weeks in advance, along with a very polite letter explaining your trip itinerary. Permit information can be found here:http://navajonationparks.org/permits.htm
Beta sites[edit]
Super Amazing Map : Ocelot
https://amazingslots.blogspot.com/2017/05/west-canyon-beta-lake-powell.html
Trip reports and media[edit]
http://amazingslots.blogspot.com/2017/04/west-canyon-2017-ocelot-canyon.html