Icebox Canyon

[TommyBoy]

I'm planning on doing the north pass route of icebox next week and was wondering if anyone had done it recently and knew the conditions of the anchors or anything else that might be useful. I have read beta from two different sources and am going armed with map compass and a GPS so hopefully navigation won't be a problem. Also we will be getting started later in the day and planning a bivy in the canyon so I was wondering how far into the canyon you have to go before a spot to camp becomes available.

[Scott P]

If you bivi do it shortly after entering the canyon. Lower than this there aren't many good bivi sights until after Kolob Arch.

[ratagonia]

Basically, as soon as you have completed the raps into the canyon there are scattered small bivy spots here and there. And water.

There's a nice view from the top of the big waterfall. Not sure there is anyplace flat to bivy there.

It does not get done much, so expect to change the webbing on many anchors.

Tom

[TommyBoy]

Thanks for the info, of course five minutes after posting this as I was running out the door for work my dad tells me that his plans changed and we will actually be able to leave early mon morning so we should be able to do the canyon in one day. I'm thinking of taking 2 pieces of webbing I have a 50' and a 30' piece, anybody think I might need more, I have a couple of shorter 10-15' pieces as well lying around, but since its just the two of us I'd rather not carry more than I have to.

[ratagonia]

Thanks for the info, of course five minutes after posting this as I was running out the door for work my dad tells me that his plans changed and we will actually be able to leave early mon morning so we should be able to do the canyon in one day. I'm thinking of taking 2 pieces of webbing I have a 50' and a 30' piece, anybody think I might need more, I have a couple of shorter 10-15' pieces as well lying around, but since its just the two of us I'd rather not carry more than I have to.

I'd bring 3 - 10-15' pieces and call it good. I think all drops are bolted, so they don't need much webbing.

Tom

[Brian in SLC]

Which is the most aesthetic approach? North or South pass? I've only done the southern one, I seem to dimly recall...

[ratagonia]

Which is the most aesthetic approach? North or South pass? I've only done the southern one, I seem to dimly recall...

North Pass is cool because most of the initial drop is like skiing a slickrock couloir. And it avoids hanging rappel stations.

http://www.canyoneeringcentral.com/ravearchive/july14/

Tom