Any suggestions for a fun non- technical (no ropes) canyon in Robbers Roost?
Reasonable down climbing and hand lining is expected.
Thanks!
Printable View
Any suggestions for a fun non- technical (no ropes) canyon in Robbers Roost?
Reasonable down climbing and hand lining is expected.
Thanks!
In order of technicality: 1) Moonshine Wash, 2) Main Bluejohn, 3) East Fork of Bluejohn (one short rappel)
What is fun depends on what your group is capable of. Could you tell us more about your group?
Good question. It's a group of athletic scouts. Ages 12-18. Their leaders are also athletic. We're headed down to Goblin Valley. We've been through Ding and Dang, Little Wild Horse and Moonshine Wash. I'm looking for something else that can be tackled without ropes and harnesses on this trip.
Crack canyon is fun and easy.
If you would learn to rappel a simple 15-20 foot drop your canyon options expand exponentially.
Good point about learning how to rappel. We have several boys/adults that are fine on ropes. We have a few younger boys who have not yet had the chance. Unfortunately, I am not able to attend this trip and hesitant to suggest a technical canyon to leaders that I have not observed in canyons/on ropes with the boys previously. I would be comfortable sending them someplace with a couple of 15-20 footers that could be downclimbed but the gear is used more as safety for those that are uncomfortable. I'm less inclined to send them someplace with vertical rappels etc.
Crack is really easy, and pretty good. I'd give it a 1/10 on the difficulty scale. On par with LWH.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cannon
Moonshine would be a 2/10 and Ding/Dang a 3/10, using the arbitrary non-official Slot Machine difficulty scale. :haha:
In the roost maybe try going down West Bluejohn, down the Ralston narrows, then reverse both. Bring a short rope and a couple of harnesses, just in case. There is a short traverse in West, that is a bit sketchy and might require a belay. About a 4/10 on the difficulty scale, and a full day (for the group described).
For your group, ropes/harnesses would be required for Middle Bluejohn or East Bluejohn.
Chambers and Smallcatraz are a big step up. Let's say Chambers is a 10/10 (for the purposes of this thread), making Smallcatraz a 8/10 (based on second hand info). I'd advise against both.
The only rappel in Middle Bluejohn can be downclimbed. For new folks, I'd certainly have them on belay. It looks much taller than it is from the top.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cannon
Main Bluejohn is definitely do-able without a rope, but it's nice to have a handline for scouts. East Bluejohn has one 20 foot rap down a slanted slope, and 1-2 interesting downclimbs/handlines. Either canyon could be tough if the number of scouts is high.
Going down Upper Chute to the first drop you'd feel uncomfortable upclimbing, and then backtracking out is fun and easy for scouts.
Good idea!Quote:
Originally Posted by qedcook
This canyon is very scenic. My wife upclimbed it 7 months pregnant. Pretty sure they could go down/up the entire thing. A short day, maybe 3-4 hours?
This is great feedback. Thank you, all!
This one is also fun to go all the way through if you can handle the 15 foot drop past the big boulder.Quote:
Originally Posted by Slot Machine
In the San Rafael Swell there is Music Canyon if you hang handlines going down.
Music Canyon
http://climb-utah.com/SRS/music1.htm
The Chute of Muddy Creek is a good one
The Chute
http://climb-utah.com/SRS/thechute.htm
Not a slot canyon but Hurst Bridge is good
Hurst Bridge
http://climb-utah.com/SRS/hurst.htm
Not sure when you're trip is planned for but from about June 1st on the Lower Black Box ranks high on the to-do list.
Lower Black Box
http://climb-utah.com/SRS/lbb.htm
Ditto for the Upper Black Box, but you'll have to do the long version if you can't rappel
Upper Black Box
http://climb-utah.com/SRS/ubb.htm
Down by North Wash is Lower Maidenwater which is an excellent hike
Lower Maidenwater
http://climb-utah.com/Powell/maidl.htm
I'll probably think up a few more in a few minutes.... until than enjoy your inflight movie. :2thumbs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNB1EtrZ7NA
I really appreciate all of your feedback on this thread! I look forward to trying out all of your suggestions at some point. Our group went out to Goblin Valley this weekend and opted for Crack Canyon. Here are a few pictures:
Attachment 79349Attachment 79350Attachment 79351