canyon suggestions?

[Strieby]

OK I am still relatively new to the sport. This weekend I am going with some friends all experienced climbers and two of us are new to canyoneering. We were thinking about doing Cable canyon in the San Rafael Swell. I get the impression that with a group we could help each other out of the potholes. Other canyons we were considering were Eardley or spry. I would llike to do Neon but I have reservations about the last keeper pothole everyone's been talking about. Any advice on these canyons?

[Iceaxe]

You just listed canyons scattered across the entire state of Utah... some of which are good novice canyons and some are not.... tell us were you want to go and we'll list some good novice canyons in that area.

[mrbrejcha]

Neon's pothole isn't as bad as it was earlier in the year. You can stand at the end to boost each other out or there is a convienient log wedged.

[Jaxx]

Eardly isn't worth the hike in. I have thought about going up and finding a place to bolt on the top so you can rap into the cool part of the canyon. In my opinion it would make it a fun little romp.

Disclaimer: Some will disagree with my opinion on this matter. I don't really care.

[mrbrejcha]

Eardly isn't worth the hike in.

Yeah, that hike sucks.

[Iceaxe]

Hmmm.... I really like Eardley, I always get great pictures in that slot.

The hike in isn't bad at all if you enjoy the scenery and do it early before the heat of the day. In the hike down the gulley look for fossils as there are hundreds of them in the Mossback layer (same layer the uranium is found in). You should pass through a layer filled with what looks like palm tree fossils.

http://climb-utah.com/SRS/Files/eardley1.jpg

[rockgremlin]

I agree with Shane here....I quite enjoyed Eardley. Yes the hike in is steep and kinda long, but it's not really that bad, and the scenery is great. The lower slot is worth doing. The last section is pothole after pothole, and the water is usually fairly clean.


Cable can be a looong day, and there are many many downclimbs. To my knowledge there are no bolts in Cable, so go with natural anchoring experience. Good route finding skills are handy on the egress as well.

[Strieby]

We're open to going to San Rafael Swell, Zion, escalante whereever really. I've mostly done canyons in the Swell and would like to explore some other areas.

[rockgremlin]

might I suggest the Roost? (Larry, High Spur, Not Mindbender) Or the north wash (Maidenwater, Leprechaun)? Or possibly Cedar Mesa (The Cheesboxes, Gravel)?

All good canyons, and reasonable intermediates.

[ratagonia]

We're open to going to San Rafael Swell, Zion, escalante whereever really. I've mostly done canyons in the Swell and would like to explore some other areas.

The Swell is very, very, very hot from about now until October 1st. I personally would consider Cable a nightmare right now, but...

In the Roost and North Wash, one can find canyons that are pleasant and shaded, though they may require hiking in the full sun to get there or to leave. Might I suggest Larry and Alcatraz (assuming youse guys can climb) in the Roost. Or c'mon down to Zion where the canyons are nice in the summer.

Tom

[Iceaxe]

I bet a Cheesebox and Black Hole combo platter weekend would be nice about now. :popcorn:

[Strieby]

What are some Zion suggestions I would love to do Mystery but the permit situation is not conducive to this weekend. A friend had recommended Spry or fat mans misery.

[Iceaxe]

What are some Zion suggestions I would love to do Mystery but the permit situation is not conducive to this weekend. A friend had recommended Spry or fat mans misery.

You have to deal with the same worthless permit system doing Spry or Mystery.... 6 walk-in available the day before I believe.

Pine Creek, Subway and Keyhole should be at the top of everyones to-do list. all have 50 permits alloted I believe, 25 reserved for walk-in.

Red Cave is a nice noob canyon and doesn't require permits. Same with Yankee Doodle.

Everything Zion

http://climb-utah.com/Zion/index.htm

and

http://www.zionnational-park.com/


:popcorn:

[shaggy125]

I did spry on a hot summer day once and had to soak in Pine Creek for like 2 hours before I finally cooled off. Pine Creek and Keyhole are classics that many of us do at least once a year, they are easy but really beautiful. Echo is good when there aren't dangerous snow bridges (like there was last report, sounds like 2 rescues in there recently because of the snow). Fat Man's Misery might be hot at first, but once you hit the spring you can cool off then play in the river until the sun gets lower and do the hike out in the cool of evening. For me the playing in the river after the slot is the highlight of the canyon, and Parunaweap is better than the narrows, all the scenery with about 1/1,000,000 of the speedo clad tourists.

Eric.

[Don]

What are some Zion suggestions I would love to do Mystery but the permit situation is not conducive to this weekend. A friend had recommended Spry or fat mans misery.

Bogley Noobfest in Zion this weekend. You might have to split up your group, but check that thread as there have been recent openings.
I've got a permit for Das Boot Saturday with 4 vacancies if your interested in joining Josh and me.
Zion this weekend would give you a chance to meet a lot of Bogleyite canyoneers...

Edit: It looks like Jaxx has 3 (soon to be four; Pubalz won't make it) openings for Pine Creek on Sunday. Das Boot Saturday and Pine Creek Sunday that's a nice weekend right there...
http://www.bogley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11577&start=0

Edit II: Only 3 vacancies left in Das Boot Saturday alusul snagged one.

Edit III: Back to 4 openings, alusul is helping the Noobs Saturday in Pine Creek