Coffin canyon is a somewhat popular technical canyoneering route in Death Valley National Park. We had made the trip to do the canyon earlier in the season but deferred due to rain. So when we returned in March, well it rained. We weren't in any real danger of getting flash flooded but it did get our attention.
On a comical side note, as we walked out of the desert looking like a of couple drowned rats there was a full on movie set going on "exactly" around our parked vehicle. Complete with flashing CHP lights. I thought, " This certainly can't be a SAR operation...can it??" Turns out they were filming some kind of insurance commercial. Never have recognized it on TV. There goes our one shot at stardom.
Joannie videoed the hike up and descent.
Approach follows the foreground ridge
When we returned after the canyon we were surrounded by movie trailers, and CHP!
Joannie climbing the ridge
Looking back towards badwater
The top. Very windy
Looking down into where we are going
The colors of upper Coffin Canyon
Starting to rain as we walked down canyon.
Interesting side slot
Going under
The first rappel. Getting wet.
Setting up the big 190 ft rappel.
Joannie video's my descent.
Rope retrieval. We used a rappel line line with a retriever line system. Notice the rain/no rain line on the ground and to which side I am standing. :)
