Woods Canyon Photo Podcast Trip Report

Please click on the Podcast above to listen to this trip report. Im going to start doing some TR's this way and hope to get better at the podcast thing. Let me what you think ?

I was lucky enough to journey through Woods Canyon in Arizona that has been run very few times. I can say it was one of the most amazing places I have ever been. Normally Arizona is Gamble we were lucky to catch Christopher Creek and Woods Canyon when we only had 3 days of paddling. Listen to the Podcast for the full story....

Day Two Randy heading into the unknown...


Me Enjoying the Supai Gorge Photo: Randy Binder


Loaded and waiting at the put in for our shuttle just off the busy interstate 17


Gettin into the business... Photo: Matt Mcfadden


This was a super long drop above with a short pool that ended with this big hole - Paddler: Matt


Hard to count the numerous drops like this one - Paddler: Randy


Matt getting ready to plug the first hole


Matt enjoying more of the Woods Canyon goods


Gotta love boofing and I got more then my share this day


This is one of the last drops before the big 70fter-Paddler Randy


You know when you paddle up to this horizon line its...going to be BIG


Not feeling this one


I contemplated for a few moments but the portage seemed to easy! Basically a 20footer on to rock and then into a big wall check and then if your upright its all good to the bottom


This is near the end of the huge boulder gardens. We found it was easier to run these drops then to portage. When you see this big sandstone wall with a large cave your very near the first narrows section.


This is the first entrance to the narrows and we were a little concerned considering the entrance had a large log that was directly at the bottom of the rapid and we were lucky enough to duck under. We moved downstream in hopes of no more logs


Heading into one of the most gorgeous canyons I have ever seen. With 20 minutes to spare we found a great camping spot within the inner gorge.


Settling down for the night




An amazing place to be and paddle


Morning of day two was filled with more drops and more tight gorges






each gorge had big boulder drops just before the entrance and after the entrances..thankfully no wood yet!





Entering the Supai Gorges


Randy getting his turn on a drop we nicknamed 50/50


Unbelievable place and so far away from everything at this point


Deep breathes before the next section


You cant tell but I have a huge smile on my face!


escaping the gorges and preparing for the paddle out and taking in the canyon landscape


Paddle out was alot of this that needed more water but we were super psyched to have been lucky enough to journey through this amazing canyon.


Randy getting surfed in one of the sticky sandstone ledges on the paddle out

BIG Thanks to Cody Howard for giving us the Woods Canyon recomendation

Video of the trip



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Day One-- Icepalooza

Day 1


Strokes of ice were painted across the valley walls as if an artist had created this icee wonderland. Discovering one of the most remote ice climbing destinations in the United States was going to be a grand adventure for the entire group.



Climbing…………

The word brings different thoughts to everyones mind and we all value its importance at numerous levels. All of us left our home towns with different aspirations and goals for this journey and I believe we all left with a renewed sense of almost being baptized in the true faith of climbing.



With horses packing in all of our gear we held nothing back and loaded the horses to live well and eat well in the backcountry.


Even the Mules appreciated the super light Cilogear packs!


Only 8 miles to go leaving one incredibly gorgeous valley for another


Honestly he wanted to carry my pack


I planned on getting a little extra reach on some of the new climbs and chopping wood!


Like I said we held nothing back and the wood stove was worth its weight in gold. its amazing what these mules can carry with ease.....I need to get a mule or at least more partners ha


Lee Livingston was a our trusted outfitter that truly made this trip happen.


Steaks for dinner


Dawn enjoying her Mikes Hard lemonade after a nice hike into camp....life is ruff for her


Dawn and I took a short hike before dark up the valley to see what treasures awaited us in the valley and we counted 12 new routes just within 30 minutes from camp. Day 2 was going to be a great day!

DAY 2 TO COME.......

My Life Be Like.....

Im trying to do more Video to keep things new and innovative. This is my attempt at that!

This was all filmed in a day just a week ago and the ice is still great. I will have my Icepalooza trip report up very soon....sorry for all of those that have been waiting but hopefully this video will suffice.

Be sure to turn off the Coldfear stereo at the bottom of the page so that you can tune in to the music on the video!