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Hooking

Description

Hooking was touted by the previous generation of canyoneers as an excellent way to get out of potholes. People would drill a small hole, insert a hook with an etrier hanging from it, climb the etrier, and reach up to drill the next hole. In this way they could gradually climb the pothole wall until they could climb out. Many of the trade-route canyons, especially in Zion, have dozens of hook holes drilled in them. However, hook holes often blow out and become useless over time, so more and more holes get drilled. It does a lot of damage to the canyons and is unsightly.

I recommend against hooking, even in canyons where hooking is encouraged by beta posters. There is almost always an equally effective but less destructive way to escape the pothole.

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Pack Toss