Must See Slots - Recommendations?

[jeff]

Hello,
I'm new to canyoneering and have only done a couple of canyons (Little Wild Horse, Main Fork of Blue John, and High Spur).

I was wondering what slots you all would consider to be a "must see/do"?

For now, we're probably looking for something similar to High Spur as far as the technical level required. A few raps (100' or less), good downclimbs, etc...

Anybody willing to help a noob?

[tanya]

Just about everything in Zion. Love Das Boot.



Welcome!

[jeff]

Thanks for the info and warm welcome.
I'll have to start researching Das Boot and some of the other canyons in Zion.

[jman]

for your beginning status, and for Zion area-Pinecreek, Keyhole, Subway, The Narrows, and Mystery Canyon. There are many more there, but definitely need more experience for those. There are some other good ones, such as Misery but I wouldn't say must-do, personally.

North Wash area & Lake Powell; West Canyon, Leprechaun, Shillelagh, Lucky Charms, and Black Hole.

Northern Utah: Rocky Mouth canyon, Battle Creek, Bridal Veil Falls.

Moab: Tierdrop, Rock of Ages, Granary, Pleaides (but after July, for your group, otherwise it's too much water), and Dragonfly (many will disagree with me)

Swell: Zero G, Knotted Rope, the Squeeze, Iron Wash (good beginner pothole experience)

Man...there are too many canyons to choose from. Those are personal favorites (for beginners). I do like, Adams Canyon, lower waterfall for how short it is, and the return trip is less than 2mins, and definitely good practice for Class C.

Anywho...just take it easy. And Digest slowly.

And Welcome!

[ratagonia]

Hello,
I'm new to canyoneering and have only done a couple of canyons (Little Wild Horse, Main Fork of Blue John, and High Spur).

I was wondering what slots you all would consider to be a "must see/do"?

For now, we're probably looking for something similar to High Spur as far as the technical level required. A few raps (100' or less), good downclimbs, etc...

Anybody willing to help a noob?

That's kind of a big question...

I would tend to call them 'canyons' rather than slots. I think most people not only visit great slots but also try to build their skill base so their available canyons expand.

So, how about this:

Zion has great canyons for the summer, not so good in the spring. The anchors tend to be already in place, the slots get done a lot, and they are fun and allow beginners to see a variety of stuff, do a little problem solving and develop proficiency in basic skills.

Subway (with Das Boot or Russell Gulch), Pine Creek, Keyhole, Spry, Behunin, Fat Man's, Birch Hollow are some of the basics.

Once outside Zion, you will need to learn from anchor skills, as the anchors are not all in place outside the urban canyoneering center of Zion. Plus greater self-sufficiency, self-rescue, greater caution and tests of judgment. Each area tends to be somewhat different and have its own personality.

North Wash is mainly about climbing through canyons, and very little about rappels. Best in spring, fall and winter: Leprechaun Middle, East and West; the 3 West Forks of Butler; Slideanide, Constrichnine and Ar-scenic. W fork of Maidenwater are some of the basics, though Dave's Mini-slots in the area are very good, and great for teaching and practicing these skills.

The Roost is more spread out, and the canyons there tend to be pretty tame, and also pretty nice. BlueJohn (East/Main or other options), Not-Mindbender, White Roost, Alcatraz (a little hard), Larry Canyon are the basics there.

The Swell has a couple good canyons and a whole bunch of decent hikes. We might consider these a bit harder than the previously mentioned: The Squeeze, Quandary Direct and Knotted Rope are the good canyons over there.

Escalante is very spread out, and has a very wide range of stuff. Check out Neon, Egypt 3, Davis Gulch ...

Good luck, have fun and be safe.

Tom :moses:

[Iceaxe]

Here are two lists I put together a while back when asked this question... the threads are a great place for a novice to begin their research.

Ten Canyons for Noobies
http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?30957

Ten Technical Canyons for Noobies
http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?30957


http://climb-utah.com/Zion/Files/subway10.jpg

[jeff]

Wow, thanks for all of the extra info. I'll be researching more of the canyons listed above, and have started to read the threads provided by Iceaxe.
That's a great pic as well. Is that Subway?

[Iceaxe]

That's a great pic as well. Is that Subway?

Yup, that's the Subway...

And I found this pic of Rockgremlin why I was looking.... :Ahnuld:

42073


What has been seen can not be un-seen.... :lol8:

[tanya]

:slobber:

[jeff]

What has been seen can not be un-seen.... :lol8:

Wow, my thoughts exactly...
Had I know about the impending singe my eyeballs were about to receive I wouldn't have scrolled down to the bottom of that one.:scared: :lol8:

[nelsonccc]

Yup, that's the Subway...

And I found this pic of Rockgremlin why I was looking.... :Ahnuld:

42073


What has been seen can not be un-seen.... :lol8:

Ah hell no. It was enough to experience it in real life. The best part where tue college girls who wanted their pictures taken with him.

[tanya]

I want to see one of the BEEFCAKE - Nelson! in a speedo. :clap::naughty::slobber:

[nelsonccc]

I want to see one of the BEEFCAKE - Nelson! in a speedo. :clap::naughty::slobber:

There's one of me floating on here somewhere! I wear the HELL out of a speedo.

[tanya]

I know you do... you big HUNK! :wink:

[P.J.]

Don't go showing my little bro pictures like that! He's impressionable, dammit!

[tanya]

The ROCK? He belongs to you? At least something gets you to speak. 11 posts.. 2 threads. Maybe we should show more of Rock in the Subway getting cozy with co-eds if it gets you to post. :lol8:

[P.J.]

jeff is my bro (started the thread), and I'm referring to the PICTURE of rockgremlin, whom I don't know. (meaning, don't go showing my little bro, jeff, pictures of men in speedos because he's impressionable)
I apologize, but I only joined bogley last month. I'll try to post more. (I assume you're confusing me with someone else?)

[tanya]

Oh... I get it and I am just teasing you. I know Rock, but I have no clue if he has a brother or not.

I just always assumed that when a man saw another man in a speedo the impression was :roflmao1:

[P.J.]

The banana hammock is HILARIOUS, especially when the wearer is not joking (and the picture of rockgremlin is CLASSIC). I was also just teasing my bro, who is in his thirties (that's a birds and bees conversation I don't want to have :lol8:)

[ratagonia]

Oh... I get it and I am just teasing you. I know Rock, but I have no clue if he has a brother or not.

I just always assumed that when a man saw another man in a speedo the impression was :roflmao1:

In this case for me, the reaction is more: :ahhh:

:moses:

[tanya]

That post is great too. :lol8:

[jeff]

Damn, all this speedo talk may have me picking a different hobby to pursue... :wink:
If that's some kind of initiation routine (or perhaps hazing) there better be some DAMN good beers along for the ride.

[jeff]

I'd hate to bring this thread back on track given the entertainment it's provided. :lol8:
But FWIW, we're looking into Alcatraz and some of the other canyons listed.
Anybody have some more specific input on Alcatraz and the water levels we can expect this time of year?

I'm in the process of searching the past posts here and checking out all of the various trip reports. And I've also read the great information about Alcatraz on Climb-Utah.

[Iceaxe]

Alcatraz is not a great noobie canyon, particularly in winter conditions... and even more so if you have someone of any size in the group....

A report from the Roost yesterday is that there is a lot of water in the Roost (at least a lot of water for the Roost) and all the water is so dang cold you will instantly loose feeling in any part of the body not covered in neoprene.

[nat]

Alcatraz is not a great noobie canyon, particularly in winter conditions... and even more so if you have someone of any size in the group....



I have to agree with this. Although Alcatraz is certainly not one of the truly desperate ones, it's a pretty damn tough little slot. I've done it about half a dozen times and every time I do it, it seems harder than the last time. It's best to do this with people who have done a few physical slots already and are reasonably fit.

Nat

[jeff]

Thanks again for the helpful information/advice.
My brother and I are pretty athletic and not very large in stature. We're both around 5' 5" - 5' 7" and 170 lbs. So I would be surprised if the climbing/slot portions (mae west or otherwise) gave us much trouble based on the information I've read thus far. But rap'ing into cold @ss water in a kph with snow still on the ground is not something I'd like to experience in my lifetime (full wetsuit or not). Hence the question about water in that particular canyon.

When we were down there a couple weekends ago the weather was actually pretty nice most of the time. But it did start snowing a little by the time we were out of High Spur and back to the trucks.

[ratagonia]

Thanks again for the helpful information/advice.
My brother and I are pretty athletic and not very large in stature. We're both around 5' 5" - 5' 7" and 170 lbs. So I would be surprised if the climbing/slot portions (mae west or otherwise) gave us much trouble based on the information I've read thus far. But rap'ing into cold @ss water in a kph with snow still on the ground is not something I'd like to experience in my lifetime (full wetsuit or not). Hence the question about water in that particular canyon.

When we were down there a couple weekends ago the weather was actually pretty nice most of the time. But it did start snowing a little by the time we were out of High Spur and back to the trucks.

In Alcatraz, the pool at the head of the second rappel is likely to be full (ok, maybe 50/50) and can be stretchy to get around without going into the water. I would bring a wetsuit just for that moment. Somewhat of a tricky anchor there, it can be. Possibly blown out by the winter rains and flows.

Down towards the end, there is a downclimb (or short rap from a bolt) which often goes into a pool. I would expect that pool to persist a long time, since it is in a dark portion of the canyon. I would not expect it to be more than waist deep.

Tom :moses;

[Penelope]

I'm a noob too, Jeff. I saw a couple previous posts here recommending Knotted Rope in the Swell and can vouch for that. Tough, but do-able. It got me hooked! I went in August last year. A girl with us was pretty petite and practically froze jumping in and out of the cold water. We didn't wear neoprene - you will want to this time of year I'm sure.

Here's some shot from the slot. Some of those potholes are very deep!

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[ratagonia]

I'm a noob too, Jeff. I saw a couple previous posts here recommending Knotted Rope in the Swell and can vouch for that. Tough, but do-able. It got me hooked! I went in August last year. A girl with us was pretty petite and practically froze jumping in and out of the cold water. We didn't wear neoprene - you will want to this time of year I'm sure.

Here's some shot from the slot. Some of those potholes are very deep!



Knotted Rope is great fun when it is full of water, and a lot less fun when it is not full. While the canyon does not REQUIRE ropes, it is a good idea to bring some rope and technical gear in the event things do not go 100% smoothly - for instance, for escaping potholes if the pools are not full.

It's good to see you guys brought helmets... wearing them would be the next step in that process.

Tom :moses: (hey, that's my job).

[Iceaxe]

Those Knotted Rope potholes can/are deadly when the canyon is low on water....

Death in Knotted Rope
http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26661

Go prepared... The most difficult pothole is the first major one you will encounter. The good news is you can easily reverse the canyon at that point if you find the challenge beyond your skill level. Use good judgement...

[Penelope]

Knotted Rope is great fun when it is full of water, and a lot less fun when it is not full. While the canyon does not REQUIRE ropes, it is a good idea to bring some rope and technical gear in the event things do not go 100% smoothly - for instance, for escaping potholes if the pools are not full.

It's good to see you guys brought helmets... wearing them would be the next step in that process.

Tom :moses: (hey, that's my job).

Thanks dad. We did wear helmets when needed and we did have all the proper rope/gear with us. Camera man has the rope. :nod:

[ratagonia]

Thanks dad. We did wear helmets when needed and we did have all the proper rope/gear with us. Camera man has the rope. :nod:

So, dear daughter, as you slip and fall you deftly pull the helmet off your pack and flop it onto your head JUST as contact is made?

OK, a bit over the top - my duty has been fulfilled! It can be excruciatingly hot and helmets are counter indicated then. But around pools with desperate climbing moves required to pass them might be a good time to wear the helmet. Can the wonderful big floppy hat be adjusted to fit over the helmet???

:moses:

[tanya]

I learned to make a sun shade under my helmet so I prevented wrinkles and saved my head at the same time. It can be done!


Just don't buy the big Pink horse rider helmet with the shade that I did. I sent it back after Alex and buddy made fun of it. :lol8:

[nat]

So, dear daughter, as you slip and fall you deftly pull the helmet off your pack and flop it onto your head JUST as contact is made?

OK, a bit over the top - my duty has been fulfilled! It can be excruciatingly hot and helmets are counter indicated then. But around pools with desperate climbing moves required to pass them might be a good time to wear the helmet. Can the wonderful big floppy hat be adjusted to fit over the helmet???

:moses:

So Tom..., if you were hiking down the Virgin River from Chamberlain ranch (the standard Zion Narrows route), would you wear your helmet? I think you are a lot more likely to get a head injury there from slipping on the "greased bowling balls" than in knotted rope.

Nat

[jeff]

I'm a noob too, Jeff. I saw a couple previous posts here recommending Knotted Rope in the Swell and can vouch for that. Tough, but do-able. It got me hooked! I went in August last year. A girl with us was pretty petite and practically froze jumping in and out of the cold water. We didn't wear neoprene - you will want to this time of year I'm sure.

Here's some shot from the slot. Some of those potholes are very deep!



Thanks for the info. I've looked into knotted rope a little bit and it looks like a blast (later in the summer and with water of course).
What other canyons have you had a chance to do?

[asdf]

Thanks dad.

Not cool to get lippy with the guys that SAR will be calling for beta to get you out of a canyon. :lol8:


x2 on Shane's recommendations of Sulphur Creek and Moonshine.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4691194966_764cbc0048_z.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2732/4519411522_1e97f78e43_z.jpg

[ratagonia]

So Tom..., if you were hiking down the Virgin River from Chamberlain ranch (the standard Zion Narrows route), would you wear your helmet? I think you are a lot more likely to get a head injury there from slipping on the "greased bowling balls" than in knotted rope.

Nat

Most of the time that I walk in the Narrows, I wear a helmet. Because, I have one with me, might as well wear it.

I suggest wearing helmets in technical canyons like Knotted Rope, not non-technical canyons like The Narrows.

T

[jeff]

Summit, those are some kick *** pictures.
Did you do any post processing on those?

[asdf]

Summit, those are some kick *** pictures.
Did you do any post processing on those?


For the sulphur creek shot I used HDR in order to capture the dynamic range between the shadows and sky :naughty: I shoot in RAW so post processing is pretty much necessary like a dark room is to film.

Did I add blow out the colors, add a unicorn, or extra moon? No.
Did I use my computer (thats 10x more powerful then my camera) to adjust sharpness ,clarity, contrast ect. yes.
:afro:

[ratagonia]

Summit, those are some kick *** pictures.

:2thumbs:

[jeff]

For the sulphur creek shot I used HDR in order to capture the dynamic range between the shadows and sky

I figured that one was HDR with the amount of clarity and range across the entire dof. But I have to say that's one of the best HDR shots I've ever seen. :mrgreen:
And in fact that shot had me looking at camera prices to see if it was worth selling my current SLR body to upgrade to a newer, HDR capable setup.

[Penelope]

Not cool to get lippy with the guys that SAR will be calling for beta to get you out of a canyon. :lol8:


x2 on Shane's recommendations of Sulphur Creek and Moonshine.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4052/4691194966_764cbc0048_z.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2732/4519411522_1e97f78e43_z.jpg

Whops, you misunderstood. My "thank you" and smiley face dude were actually sincere. That was my very first canyon trip and I did what my experienced buddies told me to do. I guess the Animals were right "I'm just a soul whose intentions are good. Oh lord, please don't let me be misunderstood." I miss the early days of IRC chatting with distinct emotion references like <s>, <g> & <weg>. Whops again! I'm showing my age. Scratch that. Um, yeah so I'm all like tots gonna go watch some Kardasians and book my Bieber tix, for reals then I gots to get my tweet on, yo.

But hey, we're here on this particular feed to talk about "Must See Slots" for Jeff, right? Looks like mission accomplished. Amazing pix, Summit. <jealous> Truly epic "wish you were here" shots. :clap:

[Penelope]

Those Knotted Rope potholes can/are deadly when the canyon is low on water....

Death in Knotted Rope
http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26661

Go prepared... The most difficult pothole is the first major one you will encounter. The good news is you can easily reverse the canyon at that point if you find the challenge beyond your skill level. Use good judgement...

Whoa! Really really thank you for sharing this, Iceaxe. Important info (I like the rescue/escape options discussed by the group too). I wonder if I would have been as brave had I read this beforehand?

[jeff]

Whoa! Really really thank you for sharing this, Iceaxe. Important info (I like the rescue/escape options discussed by the group too). I wonder if I would have been as brave had I read this beforehand?

+1
Thanks for posting this. Sad story for sure, but it's nice to see all of the creative thinking in that thread on possible setups for a rescue.

Do any of you carry a SPOT satellite messenger?
I'm not sure if it would have GPS coverage in the bottom of a deep slot, but at the very least someone could get to an open area and use the S.O.S feature to initiate a SAR call. I carry one when I'm hunting in steep, nasty terrain and I have taken it with me into canyons as well. At the very least it provides my wife piece of mind when I send her an OK check in (upon entering a canyon and then again as I'm exiting and/or returning to the vehicle). And I figure that the $200 expense of the hardware/monitoring service is a cheap insurance policy and is just one more helpful tool to carry with your other gear.