Current Conditions in Zion Report
I just returned from an amazing week in Zion and I wanted to give a quick conditions update.
Spry - We ran this with RobL and mfshop on 11/19. We did not attempt to avoid the water, so I can't be sure how much was mandatory, but there were several pools and we were fine in 3/2 fulls plus 2mm shorties.
Mystery - mostly dry on 11/20. The pool at the bottom of the mystery springs rappel was waist deep, and the lake was dry. If it weren't do the narrows we could have done it without wetsuits.
Echo - A few full swims and a good amount of wading. The first rappel ends in a full swim. Cold. We were warm in a 7mm full or 8/5 layered. Potholes were very easy to get in and out of. The water was clean(ish) and not very smelly compared to what I've heard is the norm. Also used 5mm socks and neo gloves. 11/21.
Keyhole - lots of cold water and swimming. Cold. We used the same wetsuits as Echo and stayed warm. Great canyon. 11/21
Das boot - The guy at the backcountry desk cave us some "are you crazy?" looks and tried to scare us away but we had an amazing time on 11/22. There was snow on the start of the approach, which made the slick rock portions of the approach sketchy. Das boot had lots and lots of wading and swimming in very cold water. mfshop joined us and we all stayed warm using lots of neoprene. All of the anchors were good. The last rappel in Das Boot may have been cliff jumpable in one spot but we didn't risk it.
Subway - Came in from Das Boot. There were a few short mandatory swims and some wading. The water in the subway was slightly flowing and also chilly. At one point before the subway there is a logjam under some chockstones, but we were able to squeeze under the log without dunking our heads in the water. To get from the upper subway to the lower subway there is a fixed rope hanging from a log jam just past the waterfall room. This can be used as a hand line. I was able to cliff jump into one of the pools (to get into the lower subway) as it was about 6 feet deep. I have a lot of experience with cliff jumping, but I would not recommend it to everybody. The hike out had many optional swims along the way that helped cool us of since we stayed in our wetsuits.
Pine Creek - 11/24. The water in pine creek was cold, but there were only a few full swims and quite a bit of wading. We used thick wetsuits and stayed warm.
Overall a great trip.
