Photo Blog: San Rafael Slot Canyoneering

Pictures from an industry junket gone tragically awry

Yo Campers. Sorry for the slow posting (my standard intro), but I've just returned from a stellar outing into south-central Utah's San Rafael Swell with the corporate aborigines from Black Diamond Equipment and Backbone Media (BD, Sportiva, Brunton, Big Agnes, etc).

Ostensibly this was a chance to thrash on B.D.'s new spring 2010 backpack line (Bottom line = pretty damn schweet) test sticky shoes, and talk industry trends. But it quickly degenerated into a chaotic jumble of overreaching plans, good natured abuse all around, and long, late night consultations with Senor Cuervo. In short, it was awesome and yes, we did manage to talk business.

I could certainly fill boucoup page space recounting the blow-by-blow, including a narrowly missed rappel disaster where much blood was left on the sandstone, but photos (mostly from upper Chute Canyon) are much more fun, doncha think?. So enjoy! And hike safe. --Steve Howe


The boy'z contingent, en marche.



























John testing the limits on his magic shoes

























Gear designer Tom catches up



















Test hamsters grinding away on the product





Lost souls seek guidance from The Book of Michael













Major Tom in the ditch




































Ropes are for punters. Just another sandstone scramble.


Working out an awkward log move







Pack designer Nathan laughs atop the rappel of death. Fortunately, all members survived.