Next step...

[rivera1181]

My husband and I have done Keyhole, the Subway, Pine Creek, and Orderville (in that order) and we would like to try and explore some new areas. We have a 200 ft rope and would like to only have to carry that or our 60 ft. I think we both need to get more comfortable with natural anchors as well. Does anyone have any suggestions on what our next step should be...also do not have a 4X4 so trailhead access is somewhat limited for us.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[Stick]

For the Zion area I would suggest get a second 200' rope and go down Mystery. Or else recuit someone else who has a rope to go down it with you. It's a great canyon, very pretty, not too hard, all the rappels have easy starts. Permits can be hard to get though. I think Behunin is a lot of fun as well, but you will need a second rope as well. If you are looking for a nice slot, you will hate it. If you like long rappels you will have fun. I *think* you could do birch hollow with only one rope. Without a car shuttle you will have to exit going up wild wind hollow, and I hear it is brutal. (I haven't done it myself. When I did it we exited up orderville canyon to the corral to our shuttle vehicle.) I haven't done echo canyon, but you should only need your 60' rope, and I hear it is a nice canyon that not too many people go down. You may need wetsuits though.

If you make it out to the North Wash or Robbers Roost area you should do east fork of Leprechaun or some of the forks of Bluejohn. That is a long way to go from Las Vegas though.

[Scott P]

My husband and I have done Keyhole, the Subway, Pine Creek, and Orderville (in that order) and we would like to try and explore some new areas.

I assume by "new areas" you mean outside Zion? Here are some possibilities in areas outside Zion.

Keep in mind that when I am using the words "easy", I mean no keeper potholes, high stemming or awkward raps. All of these still require technical skills.

Roost

Bluejohn might be a good one. Here is some information:

http://www.summitpost.org/canyon/301176/Bluejohn-Canyon.html

It's usually nice in all seasons except summer. It's a good one because

In the same area, East Fork Pasture is nice. Places like Larry Canyon are great, but a small step up in difficulty.


North Wash

East Fork Lep is both easy and wonderful. Here is some info:

http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/utah/north/leptech.php

http://climb-utah.com/Powell/leprechaun1.htm


Moab

Culvert Canyon is probably too easy for you if you are looking for another step foreward. The "C" canyons in Onion Creek would be. Bull Canyon is and easy short jaunt, but not a classic. I like the swim in the summer though.

Here is some info on the C canyons (also used by rock climbers to access the Fisher Towers):

http://www.summitpost.org/route/162798/C-1-Approach.html

http://www.summitpost.org/route/162800/c-2-approach.html

http://www.summitpost.org/route/162802/c-3-approach.html

http://www.summitpost.org/route/162804/c-4-approach.html


White

Cheesebox is a nice one. Hideout is usually pretty easy, but has only a short slot so many might not like it. There are some nice ruins though. Cowboy Canyon is pretty easy, but has at least one really trickly downclimb. Also Fry Canyon is easy.

Info and photos:

http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/utah/cedar/cheese.htm

http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/utah/cedar/fry.htm

http://www.summitpost.org/album/425862/Cowboy-Canyon.html


Swell

Music Canyon is a nice and easy one. Quandary Canyon (non-direct) would be a good choice. Old Woman Wash is easy, but the slot is fairly short, so it isn't a classic.

Info and photos:

http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/utah/swell/music.htm

http://climb-utah.com/SRS/music1.htm

http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/utah/swell/quandary.htm

http://www.summitpost.org/album/382036/Farnsworth-Canyon-Old-Woman-Wash-San-Rafael-Swell-.html


Escalante

Neon used to be easy, but if the keeper pothole is there you probably want to avoid it. Davis would be easy.

http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/utah/esca/neon.htm

http://www.canyoneeringusa.com/utah/esca/davis.htm


Paria

Booker is pretty easy and makes a good loop with Round Valley Draw.

These are just some possibilities and I just randomly picked some of the easiest canyons in each area. There are actually many, many more than the above. Also some are more spectacular than others.

[rivera1181]

Wow Scott!! Thank you for all the suggestions, we did want to explore beyond Zion so I will check out the canyons you listed. We go out for long weekends and camp so I don't mind driving a few extra hours beyond Zion.

Again thanks for all the info! Can't wait to explore some new canyons!

[ratagonia]

My husband and I have done Keyhole, the Subway, Pine Creek, and Orderville (in that order) and we would like to try and explore some new areas. We have a 200 ft rope and would like to only have to carry that or our 60 ft. I think we both need to get more comfortable with natural anchors as well. Does anyone have any suggestions on what our next step should be...also do not have a 4X4 so trailhead access is somewhat limited for us.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Another good step for ya would be to get out with some other canyoneers and see how other people do it!

Canyons in Zion tend to use bolts alot, see a lot of traffic, and have the anchors already set up. In other words, they are rap-n-swim kiddie canyons, and do not require "a lot" of skills or saavy to get down safely. Still plenty fun, just not very challenging, once you have figured out how to slide down a rope.

Outside Zion, downclimbing and natural anchors predominate. More navigation, more natural anchor saavy, more general skills tend to be required. So hook up with some other people and learn these things from competent canyoneers. This group is a good place to hook up with partners for trips.

Tom :moses:

[Iceaxe]

I'm going to put a plug in for the Black Hole. The more I do that canyon the more I like it. It has become one of my favorite intro canyons... it also combines well with some of the easier North Wash stuff (Leprechaun). And one bonus of getting out of Zion is that a large number of canyons can be done with a 100' rope.

Black Hole
http://climb-utah.com/CM/blackhole.htm

http://climb-utah.com/CM/Files/blackhole1.jpg

[rivera1181]

Thanks again for the tips!

Tom, I agree, we need to be more social and get some of these "friends" you speak of! :haha:

Black Hole looks awesome too, I was just watching a video on YouTube of that canyon.