Winter Canyoneering - Reccomendations & discussion.

[dakotabelliston]

With winter just around the corner I wanted to bring up Winter canyoneering November-March. This year has been epic so far & I don't want to stop come winter. I have not yet done any canyoneering in winter but would like to start. I know a lot of you continue canyoneering year round so any advice, canyon recommendations, gear requirements, obstacles, etc... I would greatly appreciate it.

I have heard a lot of talk about Northwash in winter with the freeze fest ( I have never attended any of the fest). Curious about Moab in winter, Zion, or possibly even venturing down into Arizona or Nevada.

Thank you for the input !!!

[Iceaxe]

Moab, North Wash and Robbers Roost are my usual winter canyoneering destinations.

Just remember in winter your margins for error are reduced significantly. Plan accordingly.

[dakotabelliston]

What added risk / features might one experience with winter canyoneering?

[TommyBoy]

Definitely have to watch the weather before going, snow won't cause a flash, but if its snowed recently even a thin film on a slight incline can make passage impossible. What would be an easy walk up to the canyon can no longer be done, or an easy downclimb now becomes a mandatory rappel with limited anchoring options in some cases. I have some experience with this, but most of this info is just stuff I've heard Ram talking about.

[Bootboy]

http://canyoncollective.com/threads/freeze-fest.18944/#post-79014

http://canyoncollective.com/threads/the-ghosts-of-freezefests-past.20058/

[Iceaxe]

What added risk / features might one experience with winter canyoneering?

The biggest issue with winter canyoneering is the short daylight hours. An error in navigation or technique that might cost you a couple hours in summer can become an epic in winter when night falls and you are still miles from your destination with the temperature dropping fast.

Toss in the other obvious risks like cold, snow, ice......

A couple other problems I've encountered:
It's extremely hard to place a deadman anchor in frozen ground.
It's extremely hard find material for a sandtrap in frozen ground.
Ice/snow making what should be an easy climb/hike impossible.
Did I mention running out of daylight.
Water where it wasn't expected.

I'm sure I'll think of others.