possible hypothermia. Watched water level. Knew we had to walk out that afternoon/night; too many people sans dry clothing. Most sleeping bags wet. Drizzle stopped. Seat harnesses on. Rope up. Three 5-man ropes. Wait for water level down. 1;30 P.M. down enough. Walk up stream to last nights camp. Water chest-deep on some, mostly knee-deep. Pat Holleman turned her knee. Dale's back went out schlepping sodden packs up onto the ledge. Bob Emerick & everyone did yeoman work on packs.
Back to camp by 3 PM. Jerry Hollerman & Don Hudson found the 3rd class route back up toward North Guardian, the way we came in. Much hand-boosting & helping as we slipped & slid up, with 40 lb packs now weighing 60 lbs with much water, but none to drink. Route went well, as the last light disappeared when we passed Northgate Peaks. Found old road on line due north of 7267; this joined westbound road thru the Valley & we stumbled into the roadhead (NGA, just N of Pine Valley Peak) at 8PM. We huddled & danced against the cold in our soggy clothes while drivers fetched vehicles from the other roadhead, drove to St George, where we all moteled it, slept for many hours & drove home Monday.
Other survivors, all of whom were still drying sleeping bags & washing sand out of everything for a week were Norm Rohn, Jon Lutz, Emanuel Molina, & Kathy Bowman.
Lesson learned: With even a hint of a rain cloud, Get the Flock Out of Great West Canyon. -Dale.
Cartoon
 
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