Experienced Canyoneer

[OuAaron18]

I am heading out to Zion for my first trip, and I want to tackle my first canyon. I have rappelled and climbed quite frequently over the past few years, and I have all my own gear. I just wanted to see if there is anyone who would be willing to take 3 average climbers out in mid march and teach us the basics so we don't kill ourselves or hurt the canyons by using destructive techniques unknowingly. Thank you in advance for any invites, or tips shared in this thread.

[Brian in SLC]

Bonus points for spelling "rappelled" correctly.

[OuAaron18]

Thank you.

[Scott P]

I assume you already know, but mid-March is considered to be very early for the Zion canyons. Many of them can and have been done that time of year, but the difficulty level and experience needed is usually higher. It has been a dry year though, so it wouldn't hurt to check on conditions.

[OuAaron18]

I had done some research and that was the conclusion I came to for most of the popular canyons. I had narrowed it down to a few I thought might be more accessible during my time frame. I am open to suggestions and any canyon someone would want to lead within the Zion area would be great. The dates I will be there are non-negotiable due to school.

[Scott P]

The dates I will be there are non-negotiable due to school.

Is the location negotiable? If you are new to the sport, there are other areas that typically have easier conditions in mid March. Does it have to be Zion? Some of us may be hesitant to go with someone new to the sport in mid-March in Zion unless we knew of the current conditions for the canyons you plan on doing.

PS, I'd try PMing Tom Jones (if he doesn't post on this thread). He might have better ideas of current conditions in the Zion canyons and can make suggestions.

[Bootboy]

A friend did pine creek last week and said it was warmer than when we did it in April 2 years ago.

Beside the point though...

To the OP:

Zion can be tough this time of year. Do you have wetsuits? When you say "my own gear", what does that mean?

I'm with Scott, thus time of year, there are better places to cut your teeth. May or September are better for Zion.

I appreciate the fact that you seem to want to learn the correct techniques to avoid damaging anything.

What dates are you able to do canyons?

[Slot Machine]

I am heading out to Zion for my first trip, and I want to tackle my first canyon. I have rappelled and climbed quite frequently over the past few years, and I have all my own gear. I just wanted to see if there is anyone who would be willing to take 3 average climbers out in mid march and teach us the basics so we don't kill ourselves or hurt the canyons by using destructive techniques unknowingly. Thank you in advance for any invites, or tips shared in this thread.

Which dates?

[OuAaron18]

Thank you for all the useful input! We wil be out there from March 14-19. Any area around Zion would be fantastic as well! We will have wetsuits, rope, descenders, plenty of webbing, Rapides/rap rings, slings, quick draws, lockers, helmets (apparently that's really important to Tom), gloves, and dry bags if necessary. We will purchase or rent any other gear needed. I am really wanting to get into the sport, and I just want to do it right. Not looking to get stuck and die, or worse make someone come rescue us.'

[Bootboy]

Thank you for all the useful input! We wil be out there from March 14-19. Any area around Zion would be fantastic as well! We will have wetsuits, rope, descenders, plenty of webbing, Rapides/rap rings, slings, quick draws, lockers, helmets (apparently that's really important to Tom), gloves, and dry bags if necessary. We will purchase or rent any other gear needed. I am really wanting to get into the sport, and I just want to do it right. Not looking to get stuck and die, or worse make someone come rescue us.'


Helmets SHOULD be important to everyone...

Where are you coming from?

[OuAaron18]

I planned on wearing a helmet regardless if it was suggested, I had just read a few places Tom was very adamant about helmet usage. I was just referring to that. I'll be driving out from Oklahoma. Plan on doing some climbing and biking as well as hiking in Zion.

[Scott P]

I'll be driving out from Oklahoma.

If you are coming from Oklahoma, have a back up plan just in case conditions in Zion are not ideal. There are plenty of places in Utah where the canyons tend to be drier than those in Zion. There are exceptions, but overall the canyons in the Zion area are much wetter than the slot canyons in many other areas of the state and they tend to hold more snow as well (though this year has been very warm and quite dry).

Zion really is a great place, but for inexperienced canyoneers late spring though fall is the normal season. Places like North Wash or parts of the Roost tend to be drier.

If you are set on Zion, it would be good to check on current conditions before heading out there. Canyons such as Birch Hollow or Behunin might be good. Actually, the harder canyons have been done that time of year as well, but require more experience. As said, Zion is really beautiful. If the conditions happen to be bad by the time you go, have somewhere like North Wash as plan B and you can still have a good trip.

[OuAaron18]

We are camping at Zion but planned on venturing out into the surrounding area as well. Thank you for the advice! if canyoneering is to dangerous for beginners that time of year in Zion we will just hike in Zion. I will definitely look into those suggestions!

[Scott P]

It sounds like Behunin is pretty dry now:

http://canyoncollective.com/threads/behunin-lately.20236/#post-88468

[OuAaron18]

Awesome! thank you.

[dlofting]

I am heading out to Zion for my first trip, and I want to tackle my first canyon. I have rappelled and climbed quite frequently over the past few years, and I have all my own gear. I just wanted to see if there is anyone who would be willing to take 3 average climbers out in mid march and teach us the basics so we don't kill ourselves or hurt the canyons by using destructive techniques unknowingly. Thank you in advance for any invites, or tips shared in this thread.

Have you considered going with one of the guide companies in Springdale? They can't take you to the canyons in the park, but there are others that they can.

[Iceaxe]

An experienced climber doesn't need a guide. He just needs good beta and to start with some of the easier canyons.

As for Behunin, I consider it a complete waste of a good day in Zion. There is so much more and better canyons in the area.

[Brian in SLC]

As for Behunin, I consider it a complete waste of a good day in Zion. There is so much more and better canyons in the area.

I've started referring to Behunin as "Shane's favorite canyon". Ha ha.

For this time of year, its a pretty great gig. Nice loop trip. Great scenery. Easy logistics. Neat features like the oozing water course, some nifty potholes you can avoid, small section of narrows. Fairly complete circumnavigation of the Cathedral/Majestic mesa. Option side trips to Telephone and/or Angel's Landing with a bonus of seeing Emerald Pools area as well.

Hardly a waste of a day in Zion, IMHO.

Anchors are in good shape now. Water low. No wetsuit needed.

[TommyBoy]

If you haven't done behunin before then no it's not a wasted day, it's got some good stuff in it. If you have then Shane is right that there is better stuff out there, although I don't look as poorly on it as Shane does. If you've got the skills/stamina to move fast enough it's a great way to finish the day after doing telephone which is a great canyon IMHO.

[OuAaron18]

Thank you for all the great suggestions. I am planning on venturing into drier territory possibly the North Wash.

[mzamp]

We will have wetsuits, rope, descenders, plenty of webbing, Rapides/rap rings, slings, quick draws, lockers, helmets, gloves, and dry bags if necessary. '

What rope(s) do you have (lengths, diameters, how many)? Leave the quickdraws in the car.

Great way to spend spring break IMO :-)

[OuAaron18]

I have a dynamic for climbing, and a 9mm bluewater canyonator.

[deagol]

I have a dynamic for climbing, and a 9mm bluewater canyonator.

leave that in the car, also....

The rubber band effect on a dynamic rope acts as a saw into the rock at the lip of many rappels. Also, that sawing isn't good for your dynamic rope either.

I saw this happen at Arscenic when some group was already on rappel on the 1st drop. There rope was a fat dynamic and they were bouncing around like crazy and it left a nasty rope grove.

[OuAaron18]

I wasn't planning on using it in the canyon. That's what the static line is for. I was just listing ropes I own. The dynamic is for climbing.