Mordor Canyon
It all Starts here.
Just 2km away form Mordor Canyon, the Poás volcano waits in constant activity.
The active volcano is the heart of the mountain.
The waters form this gorgeous mountain flow towards the “ Desagüe River” creating the canyon system.
Due to the acidity of the lake and the winds, vegetation in the west of the colossus has been long gone forming a volcanic desert.
marked in red the upper mordor canyon
volcanic desert
aerial view
The main canyon of the Desagüe river is Mordor marked in red. Which extends approximately 2.5km.
Main Canyon Mordor
Its beauty is formed by a sudden floods, from rain or from underground water-bombs, reported by hikers and locals. Rain is the main cause of the huge floods, but also there are pulses of underground water form the springs that make the water rise 30cm on average.
Flash flood 2017, destroying all the anchors
A small creek can turn into a roaring ash river in a couple of minutes with a strong rain.
My first advice:
Be very carful at Mordor: only go with a perfect forecast. It is a mountain of deep respect.
Mordor is an easy and fun canyon but at the same time deadly.
Anchors do not last long so bring everything to build it form scratch.
5mm wetsuit or 7mm
2x60 meter ropes.
First Rapel 40mts
It all starts here.
After a 2.5 hour walk on average, we get to the entrance of the canyon, it is importante to know that you need to ask for permission to pass through a private land.
The trailhead starts at the Caida del Cielo Waterfall. Ask there.
Once arrived at the desert on the front there is a small canyon, climb down and to the right you will se an Abalakov thread. Check the condition of the ropes, there are many chemicals in the environment that may damage the interior of the thread.
First Rapel: 40mts Amphitheater
the amphitheater
History of the canyon
First explored in 2017 by Toros Canyoning Group *. Made popular by newspaper:
Articles & Sources:
https://canyonmag.net/explore/costa-rica-part-ii-mordor-canyon/
https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/montanistas-ticos-expusieron-el-canon-de-mordor-como-salido-del-senor-de-los-anillos
https://www.toroscr.com/mordor
https://cataratasyleyendas.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrzdR_yeEQY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSqq0nC1tvM
GPS Data:
https://www.wikiloc.com/canyoneering-trails/mordor-canyon-javier-47788953
David at the mordor spring.
After the First Rapel there is no way back or escapes in the whole canyon. Just a couple of meters from the base of the wall a natural spring of water gives life to the canyon. The colors vary. Sometimes is orange, sometimes blue or turquoise.
Rapel 2: 15 meters
Rapel 2
After the small 15 meters rappel we arrive to the lookout to the Barad-dûr tower. A legendary volcanic rock flake formation similar to the citadel of Sauron, Lord of the Rings.
-“intense music playing on the background “ -
Just Epic.
Rappel 3: 15 meters
Rappel 3
Recovering our ropes at the base of the tower. Imlay Canyoning gear.
After another small Rappel we arrive at the base of the Iconic Barad-dûr tower. I must assure that being at the base of this formation was a dream come true. Turquoise waters, orange with purple and white rocks. A Bizarre landscape that looks form another planet. It doesn’t look like Costa Rica, thats for sure. !!
Well some tropical jurassic plants to the right but thats it.
Small swim in the cold waters. On the background bald peak. Poás volcano.
The Barad-dûr is indeed a thing. The landscape and the composition that the towers make on the background makes it a photographers dream. Every hour of the day the colors of the wall and water change. Once the sun hits the water the colors glow. In the narrow section the blue of the water reflects on the rocks.
Surreal
walking through mordor
Barad-dûr citadel
After the walk in a corner there is a technical jump. We decided to make a natural anchor to check the depth and then jumped!
Soon after
Rappel 4 15 meters
After the swim is a mix of technical walking and descending with a fun ride. We arrive at the next obstacle and decided to jump. David does a backflip.
Jump 2: 7 meters
david doing his backflip
Then soon: one jump after another one making this a very fun ride. We saw the bright colors of the water with a rim of orange minerals.
Jump 3: 5 meters
Jump or rappel: 8 meters.
Fernando doing his thing
By the moment we arrive here we are having a Blast!!!
This is an opportunity of a lifetime, which makes my memory fail in the order of the rappels. Just know that the highest one is 20 meters after the first one. Very small and short. Technical and fun.
Rappel 6
View of rappel 6 with the pond.
We took advantage of the good weather forecast, had lunch and laughed a while, the conditions where perfect and no rain was coming this day. We had a full-moon and the energy was positive.
After the break we headed to:
Rappel 8 7 meters.
YOU CAN JUMP IT but we decided safety first, I have seen videos of a couple of Americans jumping it., kind of sketchy.
Base of rappel 8
Now we arrived at the Crux ( which is not that hard) but it is the most sloth section, some rain here or a flash-flood and we are gone. “Ciao pescado” As we say it locally.
series of rappel in the Crux
The view From here is perfect for some pictures. The series of ponds through a canyon is every canyoneer’s dream come true.
Rappel 9 15 meters
Fernando enjoying the pond after a jump.
David making the fake superman.
At the distance we saw the bottleneck, the devils corner, the beast, Minas Tirith, it has many names. Well deserved being the darkest section of the route. It consists of 2 series of rappels ( 20 meters) one after the other in a narrow section. some current here and makes it very hard!
Rappel 10-12: 20 meters
Parabolts are hidden to the left!
After the bottle neck there is a series of blue ponds with color walls. The best picture of this expedition is going to be printed in my second book.
It was a beautiful picture.
Then the last rappel 20 meters.
Here we set up a V-thread to the right cause there where no anchors and the line was smoother.
Mordor canyon 2019 at sunrise
Mordor 2019
Me in mordor below the Crux section.
After the last one, its a warm hike to the exit which is just after a small artificial water-tube to the right. This exit also marks the start of middle Mordor which is very easy and fun!
Hope you enjoy it
Javier Elizondo, photographer and author of the book “Cataratas y Leyendas”
Mordor 2020 Team
David Campos, Jairo lacayo, Fernando Zuñiga & me.
If some advanced or expert Canyoneers want to make a 5 day or a 7 day canyoning trip to costa rica we can make a special price for you if you are a group of 6 or more. Starting for 150$ a day per person ( all included, transport +Food+housing+Guides)
Please contact us for more information.