last rapp off of Elephant Butte

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All Locations > Utah > Moab Area > Arches National… > Elephant Butte > Standard (West Fins) (5.3 3+ 10 III 9 VD 3a)

last rapp off of Elephant Butte

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last rap has air

The rubble filled gully is the key to this route on Elephant Butte.

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Matt Mardigan

Apr 9, 2014

“last rapp off of Elephant Butte”

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A google-eye view of the route. The biggest route finding issues are spotting the right turn to go up to the second basin and, on descent, traversing under the small vertical wall until past the obvious gash before heading down.

From the summit

Down the canyon marked 'view' on the toppo. Another great spot at the end too. Not to be missed while doing this route.

The hard to see pinnacle straight down in this photo is the left border of the gully leading to the descent rappel.

Taking a beginner to the summit. Not a bad day out.

7' headwall crux with anchor cord as of 10-28-16. (Did it in Chocko sandals, so not too bad.)

Crux headwall

Looking back down the rubble-filled gully. The short rib that needs to be climbed is visible coming out of the gully on the left.

On top of the crux. The rappel anchors are just out of sight over the lip.

Entrance to the first canyon-y part, looking out towards Rocky/Bullwinkle

scrambling above the slabby ascent into the next part of the canyon, good spot for lunch

This is the final scramble to the summit. It's a weird class 4 move but not bad.

This is the first meadow. The way to the crux is the gully leading up and to the right.

Summit of Elephant Butte

Coming down the second and final rap. October 2012

This is above the first meadow. The crux is straight up the gully at the back of this meadow.

The golden hour beginning to show at the high point.

Getting close to the summit from the slabs. The cairn marking the weakness in the cliffs is straight ahead.

Us on Elephant Butte - 2009

The 3 pitons for with some old webbing for the final rappel. They are old but all seemed very solid.

yee ha

This is the crux on Elephant Butte. Some of us climbed it on the left and some went to the right.

Starting down the first rap. October 2012

Second rappel.

from owl rock

This is looking towards the summit from above the first rappel. The slabs are what you must scramble up to reach the summit.

Highpoint of Arches NP.

at last rap

West Fins Route - First Rappel

last rap has air

last rapp off of Elephant Butte

The rubble filled gully is the key to this route on Elephant Butte.