Subway/Misery

[noncuratlex]

Anyone have any info on when the park service may re-open the Subway? We have permits for next week, but may need to look at something else- perhaps Misery. Anyone been down Misery recently- is there enough water to merit hauling a wetsuit along?

[moabfool]

Check the stream flow for the East Fork of the Virgin. It may be pretty stout and it will definitely be cold. This time of year I'd take a wetsuit at least.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nwis/uv?site_no=09404900

[MSchasch]

Was in Misery yesterday with a shortie wetsuit. 4th time in there and it was the most full I'd ever seen it, 4-5 swims, lots of deep water, very cold. Full wetsuit is ideal. The river looked doable, levels have been dropping, but we took a gully to the right at the confluence so we didn't have to go down it.

[noncuratlex]

Thanks for the update on conditions. Looks like Misery it will be..

[ratagonia]

Thanks for the update on conditions. Looks like Misery it will be..

Please call the Park and harass them about opening up the Subway. 435-772-0170

Thanks. Tom

[noncuratlex]

Just did. Apparently they are going in tomorrow to assess the conditions......

[bshwakr]

__

[Scott Card]

Hmmm...this has rescue written all over it.

[arnellfam]

I hiked Subway from the bottom up last week (May 3). Water was very high and flowing very fast. Three Alaskans hiking with me said it was the coldest water they had ever felt. About 3-4 feet deep in the narrow part just as you enter the Subway itself. Definitely wet suit season. River is 10-20 feet wide on the approach with all usual crossings submerged, so plan on extra time.

[noncuratlex]

Went down Misery on Wednesday, May 11. Lots of water (it rained hard on the 10th) and a surprising amount of quicksand. Less than full wetsuits would have been chilly. East fork flowing at about 150 cfs- we were able to float the entire distance to the Powell plaque. Good times.

[ratagonia]

Just did. Apparently they are going in tomorrow to assess the conditions......

I chatted with Bo about that. I am less disturbed by the Subway closure after our conversation, as Subway conditions on 5-5-2011 were buuuuuuuuuuur-ley! Big water flow at the Keyhole. Stem as far as possible and jump... would not be my choice. Only one ranger in 5 got hurt, so not TOOOO bad...

A strange melt-out pattern this year. Warmish, but not hottish, for a long period. So a moderate flood for a long time. Usually, the Subway will melt out completely by May 1st or so... this year, flood for a month.

Tom

[tanya]

Did you hear about the tape? That looks crazy in there!

[ratagonia]

Did you see the tape? That looks crazy in there!

The tape is available to SAR personnel only, not available to be shown to the general public like me. Bo told me ABOUT the tape.

Tom