Couldn't do this blog and not have a photo with Bill, one of Mark's favorite canyoneering buddies and an excellent and always entertaining guide. Here he is leading the way on the hike up to the top of the canyon.
Before they got to the top, Bill had them smell this tree. The fragrance of the Ponderosa Pine is very unique with quite a lovely smell.
But now its time to don the gear and rappel down into the canyon! That's the twins rappelling down. Bill is at the top and Mark is at the bottom "on belay"! Harmony has the white helmet and Hailey has the blue.
They learned how to get through tight spaces in this narrow part of the canyon. Yes, in the second photo below, that's Uncle Mark behind Hailey.
They learned stemming skills as they went through the narrow sections of the canyon.
When they approached the bottom of this rappel they got a surprise that Bill planned. He made the rope a little short so they could experience a "splash." Somehow Bill was able to capture the shot just as they splashed - it is quite amazing!
They also learned to just hang out on the rope and smile for their "photo op." You get a better perspective of how high up they are when you realize that Harmony's photo has Mark and Hailey down below in the water. Harmony's rappel has a 180 foot drop! The drop in Hailey's photo is not as high but it is a bit trickier.
Sometimes one twin rappels and the other twin supervises. That's Harmony rappelling down while Hailey, with her hands on her hips, checks out the action.
And, sometimes they get to rappel like twins are prone to do, they go together!
Canyoneering can now be checked off on the twin's bucket lists. Bill stopped on the way home for a "we were there photo" with the beautiful Utah mountains in the background.
Canyoneering now has two new fans. It goes without saying - a good time was had by all!
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