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Pandora's Box
Capitol Reef National Park
Technical Canyoneering
Pandora's
Box is a mythical gift that appears valuable, but in fact will inflict no end of misery on
its owner. To open Pandora's Box means to unwittingly unleash chaos on yourself and those
around you.
At least
that is the Greek myth. In canyoneering terms Pandora's Box is possibly the best Wingate
sandstone slot canyon on the Colorado Plateau. The canyon provides a large combination of
various problems to solve before releasing its grasp. |
Circle of Friends:
Pandora's
Box is part of the "Circle of Friends"
program. Members of the "Circle of Friends"
have access to more specific information, explicit route information, GPS waypoints,
trailhead location and detailed maps. If
you would like more information on joining the "Circle of
Friends" visit the sign up page.
"Circle of Friends"
General Information:
Pandora's Box is a fun and complex technical
slot canyon. Pandora's Box is rated 3A R IV using the Canyon Rating System. The problems
are interesting and moderately difficult to solve with a little thought. Pandora's Box
requires complete technical gear. The
canyon is accessible year round. A GPS is very useful. Good map reading skills
and a detailed route description are
essential.
There are no bolted anchors in this canyon, let's preserve this feature. Hundreds of
canyoneers before you have descended this canyon without placing bolts, so please play
fair. You might need to locate and construct natural anchors, which is not difficult
in this canyon.
Canyoneering Permit:
You will need
a Capitol Reef Canyoneering Permit to complete
Pandora's Box.
Trailhead Information:
The trailhead to Pandora's
Box is located next to a major highway in Southern Utah and is accessible to all
vehicles in all weather conditions. Two
route options are presented. One is easier and requires a simplistic shuttle,
the other is more difficult and requires no vehicle shuttle.
Greek Mythology:
In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman on earth. Zeus ordered Hephaestus, the god
of craftsmanship, to create her and he did, using water and earth. The gods endowed her
with many talents; Aphrodite gave her beauty, Apollo music, Hermes persuasion, and so
forth. Hence her name: Pandora, "all-gifted".
When Prometheus stole fire from
heaven, Zeus took vengeance by presenting Pandora to Epimetheus, Prometheus' brother. With
her, Pandora had a box that she was not to open under any circumstance. Impelled by her
natural curiosity, Pandora opened the box, and all evil contained escaped and spread over
the earth. She hastened to close the lid, but the whole contents of the box had escaped,
except for one thing which lay at the bottom, and that was Hope.
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