Let's Go Hit One!

[accadacca]

Hey rockgremlin,

Do you have any dated plans for a slot yet? I would like to hit a so-called "dry canyon" this winter. If we go down south the weather would be great for hiking and such. Like when we were in St. George. It would be good to hit an easy scenic one on a weekend or weekday. That way we could be eased into the more difficult stuff. I am not too interested yet in any wet canyons (at least in the winter) after reading some of the horror stories from the Climb Utah site. Geeze!!!

List a few different slots that you think we could try. We can then browse the Utah Climb site to see more details. Then discuss here.

We could drive my hybrid down south and not have to pay much in gas. Hopefully you can get away from school to be the guide. I would assume that only a few would be interested. As Tone Loc used to say: Les do it! :cool:

[rockgremlin]

I actually have a membership to the Climb-Utah website. I belong to the "Circle of Friends" program. The website owner and I email back and forth from time to time.

If you want dry slots that are good for winter hikes, there are two places to go that are pretty good. Either the North Wash area down south of Hanksville on the road to Hite Marina, or the Robbers Roost area just east of Goblin Valley. North Wash is just off to the side of a state road, but is a farther drive than Robbers Roost. Robbers Roost however requires a lot of driving on dirt roads. So drive farther on paved roads, or drive less on dirt (and maybe muddy) roads. Pick your poison.

Next question: Who's in?

And...When?

For me the week of Spring Break is ideal. Spring Break is March 14-19, which is great for canyoneering because the temperatures are more mild. Could even get away with doing a semi-wet canyon at that point.

What say ye?

You know come to think of it we could get away with doing a few novice slots that I know of in the Swell on any given weekend. Those would be Little Wild Horse to Bell Canyon Loop (EXTREMELY popular during the summer months), and the less popular and less travelled little brother of Little Wild Horse, Ding Canyon to Dang Canyon Loop.

[accadacca]

Yeah they both look like a blast! I have not been to Goblin Valley, it looks cool. Great for pictures!!! Little Wild horse is listed under the weekend warrior section. While ding & dang is listed as hard core. I am up for either, but well have to see what others think? I did a mapquest and it said 4 hours 50 minutes going through Price. It could be quicker going I-15 to I-70?

Have you done either of these canyons? If yes got any pictures? It mentions bringing a '30 rope for ding & dang. I think just for the packs? It doesn't talk about rappelling though? Would we need a rope for camelbacks? If we are real animals we could get to the trail head early in the morning and hit ding & dang, which takes 3-4 hours. Then take a break for lunch and hit little wild horse (4 hours) as a scenic deal to finish up. I think some time could probably be shaved off the 4 listed for LWH. Thoughts? If some people want to quit after ding & dang and call it. Then either go home or explore Goblin Valley for the rest of the day.

We could hit these first, then over spring break do some more technical stuff? I could go the first weekend in March? 4th & 5th?

Ding & Dang description: http://climb-utah.com/SRS/dingdang.htm



Little Wild Horse description: http://climb-utah.com/SRS/lwh.htm

[rockgremlin]

I've done the Ding/Dang Loop twice, and the Little Wild Horse/Bell Loop three times. No pictures though. At the time I didn't have a camera!

Contrary to what Shane's website says, no rope is needed for the Ding/Dang Loop. I can see where it might come in handy, but I did it twice without rope, and never needed it. All you'll need is a camelback and some food. I'll provide the maps. There is some light climbing and some class 5 scrambling in Ding/Dang, but if there's more than two in the group it'll be no problemo. Also dress warmly, and even though there shouldn't be any water in these canyons, plan for it just in case. At the most it might be knee deep, so wear some shoes you can trash, or pack some Tevas in your Camelback. Extra shoes and socks to change into after the hike also. Aside from that, there's nothing more you'll need.

I would recommend planning one day for each hike as the days are still short, and you'll want extra time to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.

If you've never been to Goblin Valley, you're in for a real treat!! One of the neatest/weirdest places on earth!! Bring lots of film!!

Weekend of March 4-5th is good with me. Anyone else?

[accadacca]

Weekend of March 4-5th is good with me. Anyone else?

Damn I just thought of something that I may have that weekend with work? I will check tommorrow? Rockgremlin are you free this coming weekend? I could probably go both or one of the other. I need to check on the 5th.

If we go this weekend we could hit one of them and do the other on the 5th? It would give others some options. Let me check on it.

[rockgremlin]

This weekend is bad - it's Jackson's birthday. All of the weekends up to the 4th/5th are booked as well.

[accadacca]

This weekend is bad - it's Jackson's birthday. All of the weekends up to the 4th/5th are booked as well.

Let me see what I can do? I think I am good? But?

[accadacca]

Let me see what I can do? I think I am good? But?

I am plannig on going at the moment. It is going to be hectic at work that week, but I should be able to pull it off. I talked to someone today that said that Ding & Dang is awesome. It was this persons favorite! I say we hit that one!

Anyone else in?

[rockgremlin]

I think we should do them both. You can't get that far and not do Little Wild Horse. I'm planning on staying through till Sunday, hitting one of the two canyons before driving home Sunday afternoon. If you want to go home earlier on Saturday, that's ok. We can drive separate.

[accadacca]

I think we should do them both. You can't get that far and not do Little Wild Horse. I'm planning on staying through till Sunday, hitting one of the two canyons before driving home Sunday afternoon. If you want to go home earlier on Saturday, that's ok. We can drive separate.

That works for me and gives me more options if my weekend is hectic. I am going to plan on hitting them both. That would be sweet! Say Ding & Dang on Saturday and Little Wild Horse on Sunday as a morning stroll. If I had to I could meet you Saturday night.

Damn!!! There are a lot of cool slots and stuff in this area! I am reading about all of them on the CU website.

[rockgremlin]

I've done most of the best canyons in the Swell. Ding/Dang and LWH will give you a thumbnail version of what's to come if you really get into Canyoneering. The funnest, most exciting canyons require big rappels, problem solving, and usually a fair amount of swimming. I can still remember my first big rappel. I was scared! Now I live for it!

[accadacca]

Ding/Dang and LWH will give you a thumbnail version of what's to come if you really get into Canyoneering.

Yup you can say that again! A few questions: Which location is the most popular? I would think Zions? Which area is your favorite and why? If you can pick one, what is your favorite slot? If not how about a few must visit slots.

[rockgremlin]

I'm pretty sure Zions is the most popular canyoneering spot in Utah (or the U.S. for that matter). Ironically, I've only done two canyons in Zions (Keyhole Canyon and the Subway). Keyhole was short n' sweet, and the Subway is a classic - I've done it four times. I intend to do more Zions canyons this year.

My favorite place to go canyoneering is the Swell. There are many great canyons there, and it's desolate. Every time I visit the Swell, it doesn't matter if it's a holiday weekend, there is almost NEVER anybody there. That makes things nice because then you don't have to worry about things like parking, shuttles, permits, and a million tourists (all things that are typical of Zions canyoneering trips).

My favorite slot...hmmmm.....that's like handing me a stack of $100 bills and asking me which one I like best. To be honest, I've never done a canyon that I disliked. I like them all for different reasons. I could however recommend a few "must do" slots:

*Seger's Hole (The Squeeze) - Scenic and challenging, big rappels.
*Little Seger's Hole (or Seger's Window Canyon) - Really cool 120 foot rappel through a natural arch, not quite as challenging as The Squeeze.
*Quandary Direct - Challenging keeper potholes, scenic.
*The Black Hole - Lots of mandatory swimming, scenic.
*The Subway - Scenic, cool subway section + mossy slide.
*Baptist Draw/Upper Chute Canyon - Really tight narrows and very photogenic.
*White Roost Canyon - EXTREMELY tight narrows
*Cable Canyon - A mix of everything. Scenic, a big rap, swimming, an arch, keeper potholes.

[Sombeech]

I'd love to go. Possibly first weekend in March also. Have you decided on one?
A simple solution is just to go camping near Goblin Valley, and be within 30 minutes to several slot canyons.
I'd say go down Friday night, hit maybe 2 or 3 little slots, or 1 big one, and head home sunday??

[rockgremlin]

Yep, that's my plans for March 4-5th weekend. I have cleared everything to go that weekend. At school in one of my classes we're trying to plan a field trip. The entire class agreed that the March4-5th weekend was best. I coyly mentioned I would be out of town. So they all had to re-schedule I know my priorities. I'd like to leave friday and come back sunday just like you mentioned. I dunno when acca is gonna show up - he said possibly saturday or something...

Anyways, I'm gonna push for Ding/Dang loop and Little Wild Horse/Bell loop. Goodies. Read above for what you'll need...

[accadacca]

This should be a great little winter getaway. I am going to try and go on Friday (4th) night too. I should be able to pull it off.

From everything that I have read and heard these are awesome slots canyons. I still need to read the articles on the climb utah site about each canyon pertaining to rockgremlin's "must do" slots.

Looking forward to it!

[Sombeech]

Those seem pretty easy to hit. I'm looking forward to it. I've cleared that weekend (march 4-6).
I'll try to get Kill em All and Chivato involved here.

[accadacca]

Those seem pretty easy to hit. I'm looking forward to it. I've cleared that weekend (march 4-6).
I'll try to get Kill em All and Chivato involved here.

Cool! Looks like a blast to me!

I haven't seen Kill on here for a long time. He seemed to be into hiking, so he should be interested. Give those boys a shout.

[Sombeech]

I gave 'em a PM, so they'll start checking it out. They've been looking, but just not posting.

[rockgremlin]

Let me just put this out there...

What is everybody doing for accomodations? Tent? Under the stars on tarp? Under the stars no tarp? Cot? Just curious. I have a two-man, but I don't often use it.

Also, (and I can't stress this enough) DRESS WARMLY!! Last year I went on a camping trip to Moab in February, and it was FREEZING at night.

Also for the hike...Since there is probably some knee-deep water in these canyons, I'm going to invest in some neoprene socks just in case there are some pools that are unavoidable. I don't think they cost much, but other canyoneers I know that do many wet winter canyons say that neoprene socks are a little slice of heaven. They keep your feet dry in cases where wading/swimming is necessary.

Hey what time is everyone leaving to go down? I'd like to get down ASAP.