Slots that are not quite worth the effort

[ratagonia]

The smart way is to come in from near the head and explore all the nice areas between and no chutes to climb down.

Done that. Was disappointed. The final bit was the only real technical stuff (though we had a fun trip walking the whole thing).

Did it once. Don't need to do it again.

Tom

[moab mark]

telephone x2

[DWayne27]

Canyons are kinda like pizza though...even when it's bad, it's good.

I tend to agree here. The only "canyon" I have been really upset about wasting my time on is "Tunnel". Zebra is obviously not real exciting, with lots of boring sand slogging, but to me it was worth it at least once to get the obligatory pictures. If you arent super in to it for that reason, then a waste. However, even being out there, I thought hey, we may as well go check out "tunnel". Maybe for someone who has never hiked anywhere ever it might be cool, but if you have ever done anything remotely like canyoneering, "tunnel" is a total waste.

Moab stuff tends to definitely not be slotty, but most are not much work and you end up with some nice views and a few rappels, so not bad in my book.

Everything else I have done I must say I would more than likely do them again

[qedcook]

What's wrong with me? When I did Eardly a few Aprils ago, it was chocked full of water and one of the funnest canyons I've ever done!

I agree with Camel toe, and every other 'canyon' in Moab, except the new northern ones and maybe Dragonfly.

The way to do Lower Bluejohn is go down to the last rappel and reverse the route. Don't go down, way too long of a hike out.

[Iceaxe]

What's wrong with me? When I did Eardly a few Aprils ago, it was chocked full of water and one of the funnest canyons I've ever done!

I think the problem is you are not a pussy that is afraid of a little hiking....

I like Eardley, fun slot and I always get awesome pictures and have a great time with my friends!

It's fun to see what some consider a waste of time... I can't believe someone put the Leprechauns on their list.

Lots of canyons I'm happy I've done but I probably will not repeat....

I don't think I've ever done a canyon I thought was a waste of time.

[trackrunner]

Behunin-ish. And we all know how much I like that worthless excuse for a wasted day

I don't think I've ever done a canyon I thought was a waste of time.

There shane admits he likes behunin and he was only making that comment to yank everyone's chain that loves behunin.

[Iceaxe]

There shane admits he likes behunin and he was only making that comment to yank everyone's chain that loves behunin.

I'm very happy I've done Behunin.... but it doesn't mean I'll be going back any time real soon.....

Here is my big bitch about Behunin... COMPARED to the other slots in Zion it leaves a lot to be desire. So I really hate to see folks visit from back east or anther country and waste a day in Behunin when their time and money is so valuable.

And I see it all the time... some first time visitor to Zion has Behunin at the top of the to-do list because they hear so much about it....

Now if someone asks me if they should do their fifth lap of Pinecreek, third lap of the Subway, or their first Behunin I'll recommend Behunin.

Here is what I actually say about it on my website

Behunin is NOT one of my favorite Zion canyons. If your time is limited and you are new to Zion canyoneering, I suggest choosing a different canyon.

[Scott P]

Done that. Was disappointed.

?????

This is what your own website says:

http://canyoneeringusa.com/utah/swell/eardley.htm

3 out of 3 stars.

Amazing. Fantastic. Marvelous.

This is one of the primo adventures in the Swell. It descends from the height of the Swell, through a tremendous variety of narrows to a technical pothole section. After a few raps and some cold swims, you pop out at the bottom and cut through the reef to the San Rafael Desert.

The final bit was the only real technical stuff (though we had a fun trip walking the whole thing).

This is true. Only a very short section of the canyon is technical. But, there are many sections of narrows and some nice features. The hikable part is quite nice. It seems like the whole "problem" of Eardley being rated so low is that people are only looking for the very short technical section and ignoring everything else.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++

Don't go down, way too long of a hike out.

Seeing the pictographs on the same hike is a nice touch though and the last rap in Bluejohn is a neat one.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++


I think this thread proves that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I will probably never understand why Mystery Canyon is Tom's favorite in Zion and I will never understand why Shane doesn't like Behunin and yet likes Moab "canyons" such as U-Turn, Tierdrop or even Camel Toe (I haven't done Behunin, but photographs make me suspect that it is way better than most Moab Canyons).

I suppose Tom doesn't know why I like Egypt 3, Cowboy or Buckwater and I know Shane doesn't understand why I sometimes like to do the canyons a long way from the roads and hotels.

I think everyone I know (who has done it) likes Imlay though.

[ratagonia]

?????

This is what your own website says:

http://canyoneeringusa.com/utah/swell/eardley.htm

3 out of 3 stars.

Amazing. Fantastic. Marvelous.

This is one of the primo adventures in the Swell. It descends from the height of the Swell, through a tremendous variety of narrows to a technical pothole section. After a few raps and some cold swims, you pop out at the bottom and cut through the reef to the San Rafael Desert.



This is true. Only a very short section of the canyon is technical. But, there are many sections of narrows and some nice features. The hikable part is quite nice.

One reason I am working on a new website - the old one is REALLY out of date.

Tom

[Matt Lemke]

And now I know who Tom is
I have used your website many MANY times... and I read about you and Scott in Kelsey's books
You guys are incredible!

[Scott P]

One reason I am working on a new website -

I guess I don't understand. From your website, it sounds like you enjoyed the canyon and at the time and thought it was pretty good. Were you disappointed at the time that you did the canyon or did that come later when you did a lot of better canyons (I agree that there are better canyons)?

[northernoutpost]

Scott-you just haven't done "enough" of Antelope ;-). Not that it can be remedied at the present time.

Personal thought is that I have never had a bad day in a canyon. That includes exploratory mishits with 200m per hour bushwhacks at the end, Class C non-events with 100m long enclosed sections, and a few canyons where I've found myself managing monumentally stupid moves that could colour the whole experience. They're all good. Even Fry and its "blink and you'll miss them" narrows, even Cowboy in August, even "shudder" Behunin and the Moab-area canyons. The only unworthy canyons are the ones I've driven past, using the feeble excuse of "I gotta work" to justify the avoidance.

Oh, except West and Aztec and the Trou. They suck. Don't even think of doing them (unless you're going to bring me)

[ratagonia]

I guess I don't understand. From your website, it sounds like you enjoyed the canyon and at the time and thought it was pretty good. Were you disappointed at the time that you did the canyon or did that come later when you did a lot of better canyons (I agree that there are better canyons)?

Most of the beta on the "OLD" site was written after doing the canyon for the first time, maybe the second. My standards were much lower in those days... 2001 was it? I do think that one section of canyon is quite good, when the pools are full. But, really, it is a royal pain to get to it.

In context, in the Swell, it is quite a good canyon. But I don't really go to the Swell much anymore either.

Tom

[asdf]

I'm with Scott, Upper Eardley is an awesome place.
I have hiked it a half dozen times and have only encountered one other group of hikers.

Feel free to make Eardley and Crawford Draw one star or less on the new site.

[moab mark]

In context, in the Swell, it is quite a good canyon. But I don't really go to the Swell much anymore either.

Tom

I do not like the sound of that. I haven't done any other swell canyons then Z Gravity and Eardley. If Eardley is one of the better uuugggghhhh. Z Gravity ruled.

[ratagonia]

I do not like the sound of that. I haven't done any other swell canyons then Z Gravity and Eardley. If Eardley is one of the better uuugggghhhh. Z Gravity ruled.

Z Gravity is good. Quandary Direct, Knotted Rope and The Squeeze... and... and... uh, that is about it, isn't it? Any fans of other canyons????

Tom

[ratagonia]

I'm with Scott, Upper Eardley is an awesome place.
I have hiked it a half dozen times and have only encountered one other group of hikers.

Feel free to make Eardley and Crawford Draw one star or less on the new site.

The problem is, to make it onto the new site, I probably have to do it again, so... it is unlikely to make the cut.

T

[Iceaxe]

I will never understand why Shane doesn't like Behunin and yet likes Moab "canyons"

Because Moab is a great place to play with my family, noobs and kids.... we can do 2 "routes" (I don't call most of them canyons) before noon. Grab lunch in Moab... and than raft the Moab Daily in two man kayaks in the afternoon... all before drinking margaritas with the hot young stripper wife around the pool in the evening before hitting up a nice restaurant for dinner and a soft bed for sleeping..... what's not to understand?

[Iceaxe]

Z Gravity is good. Quandary Direct, Knotted Rope and The Squeeze... and... and... uh, that is about it, isn't it? Any fans of other canyons????

I'd add the Black Box, Cable (with water) and Baptist to your list.

Also hard to leave LWH off the list, its a classic.

[shaggy125]

Ya, Leprechauns, really? The only less buck for the bang might be keyhole, or Blarney? Others not worth the effort for me were Shillelagh, Right fork of Blarney (left is short but good), Seven Mile, and the East fork of Scorpion.