Mystery, Canyoneering Zion National Park

Mystery is one of Zion National Park's most sought-after canyoneering routes.
The route is straightforward, mostly downhill (with a shuttle to the East Rim trailhead), and boasts the iconic rappel into the Narrows of the North Fork Virgin River.
This trip requires a canyoneering permit.
Please consider ways to minimize the damage caused by rope grooves and practice a "leave-no-trace" ethic.
Zion National Park, June 2021.
Disclaimer: Please obtain training and experience prior to undertaking any canyoneering trip. Techniques shown in the video should not be attempted without education and experience. I make no claim that techniques shown are a best practice or should be duplicated.

[@pyle762]

I just saw me in your video!

[@jwgolding]

1:01:09 Is that a water knot with one side tied off? I'm curious as to why a water knot instead of a EDK. I know stuck ropes are a problem on this rappel

[@vanyoneer]

It’s a Flemish bend, aka a figure-8 bend, and someone tied one tail with an overhand (which is useless). We are in the habit of using this bend with no backups. It is strong, doesn’t experience cyclic slipping/rolling off the tail. Nor can I find evidence of this knot ever failing.
We rig releasable and rappel single strand, therefore the joining knot must be “in front” the anchor instead of “behind” the anchor. Therefore the knot experiences full weight with cyclic loads, which might roll the EDK off the tail (maybe with a backup knot it wouldn’t be that big a concern)

[@jwgolding]

@@vanyoneer Thanks for the input. I was taught and have always used the EDK (with lots of tail). I believe it is the least prone to getting stuck. I was just curious as to the reasoning, Thanks for the response and clarification. Good Stuff