Nightmare at Spooky Canyon

In the spirit of Halloween, and on Halloween, we chose to photograph a slot canyon named, “Spooky Canyon”. Throwing caution to the wind, we went for it. It is also one of the tightest slot canyons one can traverse. I am not heavy, and I could barely fit through some of the curves. Of course, being up close and personal with a curve is not a bad thing. Kas, who is much thinner than I, had more trouble with claustrophobia then the curves. We are quite a pair, one of us paralyzed in fear of heights, the other with tight spaces.

Just before our trek through Spooky Canyon, we tried our hands at the nearby “Peek-A-Boo Canyon”. We didn’t get very far. One of us wouldn’t even try to go in. No, not because of the tight curves. I wouldn’t even climb the initial ascent (sheer rock wall) to get in! After standing there for ten minutes, which seemed like 10 hours, trying to figure out a way up, I called it quits. A few moments after my utter failure, we chatted with other canyoneers who said there were even more difficult ascents within the slot after the initial one. Listen to your fears! I’m glad I listened to mine.

Two experienced cannoneers having trouble with the descent from Peekaboo Canyon.

Even Kas struggled with the ascent.

We entered Spooky and slithered our way through the tight walls (Kas, following tentatively behind me). After a bit, we found a small opening (maybe three feet at most) to set up base camp. I was nominated to go first – Kas wanted nothing to do with the rest of the canyon. I took my tripod and camera and set out to find cool looking shots. I found a spot that looked nice and luckily, the sun decided to show itself, giving reasonable photos.

Pretty good colors considering there was little sun.

The shapes are usually quite interesting, love the curves!

Perhaps the best shot of the day. Wha do you think?

I returned to report it was tight but passable. With a quivering lip, off she went into the depths of the canyon. Ten minutes went by and there was nothing. I called out and got nothing back, just my voice echoing through the canyon. Did she get stuck? Should I worry? Nah.  I decided instead to start writing this blog.  Another five minutes go by and someone appears from the direction Kas had departed 15 minutes earlier. “Did you see my wife,” I asked? “I didn’t pass anyone,” was his response. Hmmm, this place is named Spooky, maybe there is something to it. Even weirder is there is no way anyone can pass by (through?) her without seeing her.  The walls are just too tight. Maybe she was eaten by a canyon monster.

Then, before another minute could pass, I saw an apparition.

Her ghostly aura was quite, shall I say, spooky.

A few seconds later she appeared in her normal state.

Back to normal as if nothing happened.

She arrived as if nothing happened. She never saw the guy who had to walk right through her. She says she was only gone a couple of moments. Hmmm, I know different.  I quickly ushered us out of the canyon, feeling lucky we could go on another adventure.

Remember, it’s all about the light, even spooky light.