Todo List
Capitol Reef
Cedar Mesa
Lake Powell
Moab
North Wash
Odds and Ends
Robbers Roost
San Rafael Swell
Zion & SW Utah
Tick List
The Black Hole of White Canyon - Hite
Date: 06/09/2024
10th canyon in 5 days. there is a lot of swimming. Water levels were low, about 4 feet less than what they were last time. I did the Canyon two years ago, but there was still a fair amount of swimming and a wetsuit would be needed. No need to take a harness, but a 30 or 40 foot rope is handy for some down climbs doubled up Went with Ian and Rebecca. I wore a 3 mm wetsuit, and that was good for me. It was about 95° outside. we somehow bypassed the sketchy log room that Steve and I did two years ago where there was so much log debris that it was very hard to swim across the room. it took us about six hours I believe.
10th canyon in 5 days. there is a lot of swimming. Water levels were low, about 4 feet less than what they were last time. I did the Canyon two years ago, but there was still a fair amount of swimming and a wetsuit would be needed. No need to take a harness, but a 30 or 40 foot rope is handy for some down climbs doubled up Went with Ian and Rebecca. I wore a 3 mm wetsuit, and that was good for me. It was about 95° outside. we somehow bypassed the sketchy log room that Steve and I did two years ago where there was so much log debris that it was very hard to swim across the room. it took us about six hours I believe.
East and West Cheesebox Canyon - Cedar Mesa
Date: 06/08/2024
Did my eighth canyon in 4 days. Did branch closest to the trailhead, with a 130' drop in. Shortly down canyon had an 80' drop, but we couldn't see the bottom, so we rigged the 66' to the edge, tied it to the 100', and fiddled. Cool tunnel/cave right after. Water level were about 3 to 4 feet below where they were our first time. The water was cold but wetsuits weren't needed. Only had two very short swims. Not stink or pine needles. Rope wise, only need 66' & 100' and fiddle. Exit now has establish trail and cairns. Love Didn't have a shuttle so the walk back was extra hot and exhausting. ... And my god, the gnats. Luckily not in the canyon, but at camp ... Brutal.
Did my eighth canyon in 4 days. Did branch closest to the trailhead, with a 130' drop in. Shortly down canyon had an 80' drop, but we couldn't see the bottom, so we rigged the 66' to the edge, tied it to the 100', and fiddled. Cool tunnel/cave right after. Water level were about 3 to 4 feet below where they were our first time. The water was cold but wetsuits weren't needed. Only had two very short swims. Not stink or pine needles. Rope wise, only need 66' & 100' and fiddle. Exit now has establish trail and cairns. Love Didn't have a shuttle so the walk back was extra hot and exhausting. ... And my god, the gnats. Luckily not in the canyon, but at camp ... Brutal.
Gravel Canyon - Cedar Mesa
Date: 06/08/2024
Road is rough. Approach is short but tons of boulder hopping in the canyon. Didn't use wetsuits- water would take your breath away, luckily water was only belly deep and short periods. If had to swim, you'd need a wetsuit. Ruins are cool. You can boulder up by the crack using the right face. Getting down is sketchy. Exit you quickly get one level from the top, but the stay on that level until almost to the ruins. Resist the temptation to climb up too soon. Once out, there is no set path, just a lot of path finding. I found my first ever arrow head. Was fun, but likely won't do it again..
Road is rough. Approach is short but tons of boulder hopping in the canyon. Didn't use wetsuits- water would take your breath away, luckily water was only belly deep and short periods. If had to swim, you'd need a wetsuit. Ruins are cool. You can boulder up by the crack using the right face. Getting down is sketchy. Exit you quickly get one level from the top, but the stay on that level until almost to the ruins. Resist the temptation to climb up too soon. Once out, there is no set path, just a lot of path finding. I found my first ever arrow head. Was fun, but likely won't do it again..
Conundrum Canyon - North Wash
Date: 06/06/2024
Great Canyon to beat the heat. Water is flowing most of the time and you are in shade for a lot of it so it’s at least 20° cooler than the rest of the valley. This time I took 2 1/2 hours, but I was clearing out the path from dead branches, using the Stick of Justice. The road up has a lot of sharp rocks that make me a little nervous and sometimes the center rut is high to where I’m nervous. I’m going to be hitting the bottom of my Hyundai Sonata, but it’s doable.
Great Canyon to beat the heat. Water is flowing most of the time and you are in shade for a lot of it so it’s at least 20° cooler than the rest of the valley. This time I took 2 1/2 hours, but I was clearing out the path from dead branches, using the Stick of Justice. The road up has a lot of sharp rocks that make me a little nervous and sometimes the center rut is high to where I’m nervous. I’m going to be hitting the bottom of my Hyundai Sonata, but it’s doable.
Morocco Canyon - North Wash
Date: 06/06/2024
Solo, so fun I did it back to back. 100' worked great. Two raps are about 50', others are about 30'. Can biner block all, but if anchors get moved, maybe a pinch risk on chokestones. Can easily stem over pool, oven though it looks far. No need to ever put rope in backpack.
Solo, so fun I did it back to back. 100' worked great. Two raps are about 50', others are about 30'. Can biner block all, but if anchors get moved, maybe a pinch risk on chokestones. Can easily stem over pool, oven though it looks far. No need to ever put rope in backpack.
Shillelagh Canyon - North Wash
Date: 06/05/2024
tried going up Short End of the Stick which is an up climb to get to the top of Shillelagh, but I ran out of juice. I could not get past the first up climb/potshot ascend. I had already done three canyons today in 96° heat, so that will be my excuse. perhaps next time there is supposed to be some beta on bluugnome so I will look that up.
tried going up Short End of the Stick which is an up climb to get to the top of Shillelagh, but I ran out of juice. I could not get past the first up climb/potshot ascend. I had already done three canyons today in 96° heat, so that will be my excuse. perhaps next time there is supposed to be some beta on bluugnome so I will look that up.
Leprechaun Canyon - North Wash
Date: 06/05/2024
3.5 hours. always takes longer than I think it will and it is always more tiring than I think it will be. Did it with a 100 foot rope in my red backpack. The way the anchors were set up, I could’ve used a 66 foot rope. Because the tight sections are so exhausting dragging your backpack through it, I think it is best to just use a teeny backpack with the 66 foot rope and that’s it. it is 96° today and this was my third Canyon, so that might be why I am so tired.
3.5 hours. always takes longer than I think it will and it is always more tiring than I think it will be. Did it with a 100 foot rope in my red backpack. The way the anchors were set up, I could’ve used a 66 foot rope. Because the tight sections are so exhausting dragging your backpack through it, I think it is best to just use a teeny backpack with the 66 foot rope and that’s it. it is 96° today and this was my third Canyon, so that might be why I am so tired.
Blarney Canyon - North Wash
Date: 06/05/2024
Solo up the East, down the West. As long as it is dry and no shoulder injuries, this is the way to do it. The climb is fun and a little exercise. West last rap can be downclimbed. Anchor was far back with long webbing. Doubled rope so it wouldn't snag on boulder, but likely would be good with biner block because down canyon pull can be clean with a tug. *Camp note, first week of June and a 50 bag was too hot at first, but good around 2 or 3 AM MDT.
Solo up the East, down the West. As long as it is dry and no shoulder injuries, this is the way to do it. The climb is fun and a little exercise. West last rap can be downclimbed. Anchor was far back with long webbing. Doubled rope so it wouldn't snag on boulder, but likely would be good with biner block because down canyon pull can be clean with a tug. *Camp note, first week of June and a 50 bag was too hot at first, but good around 2 or 3 AM MDT.
Angel Slot - Angel Point
Date: 04/07/2024
100' + fiddle, edge on first is tricky, 2nd looks similar, but has a good ledge, next "rap" where there was an anchor can easily be downclimbed, 3rd rap maybe downclimbed but would be a bit sketchy butt-slide at the end. It is fiddle friendly, so best to just rap. No shade at all on exit hike. Went with Steve.
100' + fiddle, edge on first is tricky, 2nd looks similar, but has a good ledge, next "rap" where there was an anchor can easily be downclimbed, 3rd rap maybe downclimbed but would be a bit sketchy butt-slide at the end. It is fiddle friendly, so best to just rap. No shade at all on exit hike. Went with Steve.
Granary Canyon - Moab
Date: 11/04/2023
Sonata can make it close to the oil thinger. Take a 200' and a 66'. Also take long fiddle and 66 fiddle. On hike out we stayed in between the canyon and RTRyan's gps, not looping out so far and it worked out. Did with Ian, and happened to see Troy. Stuck rope on 90' rap.
Sonata can make it close to the oil thinger. Take a 200' and a 66'. Also take long fiddle and 66 fiddle. On hike out we stayed in between the canyon and RTRyan's gps, not looping out so far and it worked out. Did with Ian, and happened to see Troy. Stuck rope on 90' rap.
Pool Arch Canyon - Moab
Date: 11/03/2023
Was almost part of a deaf Jesus movie at the cave. Took 200' and fiddle. Canyon was mostly dry and was able to avoid all water. Did solo.
Was almost part of a deaf Jesus movie at the cave. Took 200' and fiddle. Canyon was mostly dry and was able to avoid all water. Did solo.
Medieval Chamber - Moab
Date: 11/03/2023
do yourself a favor and park at the radio tower. It makes finding your way around a lot easier. This can be done with a 120 foot rope and a fiddle stick. Both repels have chain anchors. when doing the loop on your exit, choose the left to climb out of. not the actual climbers exit, but the loop of the other Canyon. I ran the canyon solo. One thing to note, for free, hanging, repels, and fiddlesticks you’re going to twist be sure to keep tension on the repel rope and untwist a Fields Stick line before it becomes a disaster..
do yourself a favor and park at the radio tower. It makes finding your way around a lot easier. This can be done with a 120 foot rope and a fiddle stick. Both repels have chain anchors. when doing the loop on your exit, choose the left to climb out of. not the actual climbers exit, but the loop of the other Canyon. I ran the canyon solo. One thing to note, for free, hanging, repels, and fiddlesticks you’re going to twist be sure to keep tension on the repel rope and untwist a Fields Stick line before it becomes a disaster..
Right Fork of North Creek - Zion West Side
Date: 10/08/2023
Team: Self, Ian, Troy, John Bridge and his son Logan. 8 AM start, made it to Great Alcove around 5:30, moved at a steady pace and leapfrogged all raps. Second day was hot 6 hours. Used 200 and fiddlestick, but didn't use them the rest of the trip. Used 120 + 66 for all else. Did Hammerhead, the direct, but didn't do watercourse at the Alcove on day two. Had 3/2 +3+3 wetsuit and it worked well. Night was around 50, day was 80. Had both 30 + 50 quilt and it worked great. Water levels were higher than usual for this time of year, according to Troy, who has done it 6 times. Fun canyon!
Team: Self, Ian, Troy, John Bridge and his son Logan. 8 AM start, made it to Great Alcove around 5:30, moved at a steady pace and leapfrogged all raps. Second day was hot 6 hours. Used 200 and fiddlestick, but didn't use them the rest of the trip. Used 120 + 66 for all else. Did Hammerhead, the direct, but didn't do watercourse at the Alcove on day two. Had 3/2 +3+3 wetsuit and it worked well. Night was around 50, day was 80. Had both 30 + 50 quilt and it worked great. Water levels were higher than usual for this time of year, according to Troy, who has done it 6 times. Fun canyon!
Right Fork of North Creek - Zion West Side
Date: 10/08/2023
Packed 3 liters, drank about 2 on day 1. Filtered at the Alcove and drank about 1.5 on day 2.
Packed 3 liters, drank about 2 on day 1. Filtered at the Alcove and drank about 1.5 on day 2.
South Fork of Maidenwater - Trachyte
Date: 06/04/2023
Went with Ian and Rebecca. Used 200' rope, but could use an 100' with fiddle stick. Used 66' working rope throughout the canyon. Lots and lots of downclimbs and about 6 raps. A little bit of water.
Went with Ian and Rebecca. Used 200' rope, but could use an 100' with fiddle stick. Used 66' working rope throughout the canyon. Lots and lots of downclimbs and about 6 raps. A little bit of water.
Woody Canyon - Trachyte Area
Date: 06/03/2023
3 people (Ian, Rebecca, and me) 6 hours. Little water. Swam with dead bat and rescued 2 lizards and a stink bug. Used fiddle, 3 pot shots and Ibis hook ... Sandtrap would be useful in many spots. Used 66' and 38', brought 200' but didn't use it. Closed to 80 but didn't use wetsuits and weren't cold. For big pot hole can belayfrom below in arch if it isn't under water.
3 people (Ian, Rebecca, and me) 6 hours. Little water. Swam with dead bat and rescued 2 lizards and a stink bug. Used fiddle, 3 pot shots and Ibis hook ... Sandtrap would be useful in many spots. Used 66' and 38', brought 200' but didn't use it. Closed to 80 but didn't use wetsuits and weren't cold. For big pot hole can belayfrom below in arch if it isn't under water.
The Wives - Capitol Reef
Date: 04/22/2023
On the approach, don't go up the drywall as RTRyans map appears, facing upcanyon go up the left side and it will merge with the canyon to ascend. You need to go down from the path after passing W6, just before W5.
On the approach, don't go up the drywall as RTRyans map appears, facing upcanyon go up the left side and it will merge with the canyon to ascend. You need to go down from the path after passing W6, just before W5.
The Wives - Capitol Reef
Date: 04/22/2023
Did Wife 5 solo. I was very cautious and nervous - I didn't want to go down the wrong canyon and get stuck. I went down several and had to climb out because it wasn't the right one. Don't go down the one with the popcicle gutter ... You might die. I had a 200' and 66', but just used the 200 for everything. I was also nervous that I was going to have to build all the anchors, but luckily some else had been down this year and put in new webbing. A few tough downclimbs. Had to use a handjam and accidental elbow jam to get down to the first rap. Overall, great canyon and now I have experience, I look forward to doing it again.
Did Wife 5 solo. I was very cautious and nervous - I didn't want to go down the wrong canyon and get stuck. I went down several and had to climb out because it wasn't the right one. Don't go down the one with the popcicle gutter ... You might die. I had a 200' and 66', but just used the 200 for everything. I was also nervous that I was going to have to build all the anchors, but luckily some else had been down this year and put in new webbing. A few tough downclimbs. Had to use a handjam and accidental elbow jam to get down to the first rap. Overall, great canyon and now I have experience, I look forward to doing it again.
Cassidy Arch Canyon - Capitol Reef
Date: 04/22/2023
3 hours solo. Had a few Moments ... 2nd rap about 50 feet from the ground on free hang found my bag with the rope tangled and was suspended. I had to lock off and untangle it, but my lockoff wasn't official because I was too close to the tangled bag and ran out of rope. Nonetheless I bumbled through it and got the bag to fall all the way to the ground, only to find a figure 8 tied about 10 feet down, so 40 feet off the ground. I had to lock off and pull up 40 feet of rope to move the knot to the ground, then I was able to make it all the way down. Mishap 2, rap 5 is tight and I was trying to go with rope bag attached on my left side and backpack on. I kept getting wedged and was getting frustrated. The last wedge I pushed back hard on all of a sudden I popped loose and I lost the rope and started to free fall backwatds. I luckily snagged the rope with my flailing left had. My ring finger got a bit jammed in the device. It didn't do much damage and was certainly better than the 25 foot free fall it prevented, which would have had me landing on my back onto some small jagged boulders. Other than that, great decent!
3 hours solo. Had a few Moments ... 2nd rap about 50 feet from the ground on free hang found my bag with the rope tangled and was suspended. I had to lock off and untangle it, but my lockoff wasn't official because I was too close to the tangled bag and ran out of rope. Nonetheless I bumbled through it and got the bag to fall all the way to the ground, only to find a figure 8 tied about 10 feet down, so 40 feet off the ground. I had to lock off and pull up 40 feet of rope to move the knot to the ground, then I was able to make it all the way down. Mishap 2, rap 5 is tight and I was trying to go with rope bag attached on my left side and backpack on. I kept getting wedged and was getting frustrated. The last wedge I pushed back hard on all of a sudden I popped loose and I lost the rope and started to free fall backwatds. I luckily snagged the rope with my flailing left had. My ring finger got a bit jammed in the device. It didn't do much damage and was certainly better than the 25 foot free fall it prevented, which would have had me landing on my back onto some small jagged boulders. Other than that, great decent!
Blarney Canyon - North Wash
Date: 11/06/2022
Blarney West Fork. Choose the left, when a choice is placed before you ... Until the Sheleleigh fork. Although the last repel is intimidating from above, fear not. It can be done with a 66 foot rope and no fiddlestick just double the rope. As long as the webbing is down just a little bit. Worst case scenario, you can down climb it. today was wet conditions shin deep in the first puddle that I couldn’t avoid, but avoided the rest. Two hours.
Blarney West Fork. Choose the left, when a choice is placed before you ... Until the Sheleleigh fork. Although the last repel is intimidating from above, fear not. It can be done with a 66 foot rope and no fiddlestick just double the rope. As long as the webbing is down just a little bit. Worst case scenario, you can down climb it. today was wet conditions shin deep in the first puddle that I couldn’t avoid, but avoided the rest. Two hours.
Blarney Canyon - North Wash
Date: 11/05/2022
Had planned on going up the east fork then down the west fork, but it had rained two days before and the canyon was very wet so I did not want to climb with wet shoes. Did the east fork from the top without a repel, found the sneaky way down
Had planned on going up the east fork then down the west fork, but it had rained two days before and the canyon was very wet so I did not want to climb with wet shoes. Did the east fork from the top without a repel, found the sneaky way down
Hogwarts Canyon - North Wash
Date: 11/05/2022
Solo, got the rope stuck on the final repel. Future advice, use a 200 foot rope and put a Biners block right in the middle from the first repel and keep it there until you’re done with a Canyon
Solo, got the rope stuck on the final repel. Future advice, use a 200 foot rope and put a Biners block right in the middle from the first repel and keep it there until you’re done with a Canyon
Conundrum Canyon - North Wash
Date: 11/05/2022
2.25 hours in November. Solo. Was trying to stay dry, so it slowed me down a lot. After the repel I got wet, so I started to move faster through the water.
2.25 hours in November. Solo. Was trying to stay dry, so it slowed me down a lot. After the repel I got wet, so I started to move faster through the water.
Larry Canyon - Robbers Roost
Date: 05/14/2022
8 people , 9 hours. Two 200' ropes to leapfrog. Hot long exit . Cool canyon with tight spots.
8 people , 9 hours. Two 200' ropes to leapfrog. Hot long exit . Cool canyon with tight spots.
Lost Angel Canyon - Angel Point
Date: 04/01/2021
Did this with Rebecca. Canyon took a while to find. Canyon was short, but cool. Lots of webbing was used on the last few anchors. The hike out was a nightmare. We walked the Dirty Devil and dealt with the mud. We got out just as it got dark. May be fun with a pack-raft.
Did this with Rebecca. Canyon took a while to find. Canyon was short, but cool. Lots of webbing was used on the last few anchors. The hike out was a nightmare. We walked the Dirty Devil and dealt with the mud. We got out just as it got dark. May be fun with a pack-raft.
North Fork of Iron Wash - San Rafael Swell
Date: 05/28/2017
Fun canyon. Keeper had ankle deep water - climbed out without issue- pretty good handholds to work with.
Fun canyon. Keeper had ankle deep water - climbed out without issue- pretty good handholds to work with.
The Wives - Capitol Reef
Date: 04/23/2016
Did Wife 3. The first rap gives you an amazing view down canyon. Fantastic!
Did Wife 3. The first rap gives you an amazing view down canyon. Fantastic!
Winter Camp Wash - Lost Spring
Date: 04/09/0022
can fiddle. Do far back tree or smaller far out for straight line pull and rap.
can fiddle. Do far back tree or smaller far out for straight line pull and rap.
Lost and Found Canyon - Arches National Park
Date: 04/09/0022
200 and fiddle. All fiddle. climber's exit hump
200 and fiddle. All fiddle. climber's exit hump
Keyhole Canyon - Zion Main Canyon
Date: 06/11/0021
can be done with a 66 ft row. Worst case scenario 66 ft rope with Phil stick. All have bolts and are Phil's take friendly. it is a dry year, so the water was low, but still had some waist deep pools. 4/3 was more than enough. could probably go through it without a wetsuit, but it would be uncomfortable. but it is such a short canyon
can be done with a 66 ft row. Worst case scenario 66 ft rope with Phil stick. All have bolts and are Phil's take friendly. it is a dry year, so the water was low, but still had some waist deep pools. 4/3 was more than enough. could probably go through it without a wetsuit, but it would be uncomfortable. but it is such a short canyon
Shillelagh Canyon - North Wash
Date: 05/02/0021
can be done with a 66 ft rope and Fiddlesticks.... Make sure you have webbing. and your safety anchor isn't shorter than weighting your device ... shesh...
can be done with a 66 ft rope and Fiddlesticks.... Make sure you have webbing. and your safety anchor isn't shorter than weighting your device ... shesh...
Leprechaun Canyon - North Wash
Date: 05/01/0021
can be done with just a 66 ft rope without a fiddle stick as long as the anchors are set up like they were today
can be done with just a 66 ft rope without a fiddle stick as long as the anchors are set up like they were today
Blarney Canyon - North Wash
Date: 10/18/0020
both east and west forks. East Fork entrance is deceiving drop down one level and you will find it. both work well with 66-ft rope and fiddlestick. accidentally down climbed third wrap on the west fork. so really could do just one repel in Westfork Canyon
both east and west forks. East Fork entrance is deceiving drop down one level and you will find it. both work well with 66-ft rope and fiddlestick. accidentally down climbed third wrap on the west fork. so really could do just one repel in Westfork Canyon
Leprechaun Canyon - North Wash
Date: 10/17/0020
did the right East Fork. 66-ft rope with 66-ft fiddlestick. worked out perfectly
did the right East Fork. 66-ft rope with 66-ft fiddlestick. worked out perfectly
Comments
Alcove Amble Canyon - Dirty Devil
Date: 2024-03-27
Comment: I am hoping someone can share some wisdom and direction. I was thinking of descending Alcove Amble...
Gravel Canyon - Cedar Mesa
Date: 2020-06-23
Comment: Did this canyon on 6/13. Had a few swims and some wading. Really pretty. Ruins are also awesome. ...
The Black Hole of White Canyon - Hite
Date: 2020-06-23
Comment: Did the canyon on 6/14. It was great with many swims. One room had a lot of logs / branches with r...
Choprock Canyon - Escalante
Date: 2019-09-04
Comment: Did the canyon on 9/1. Beautiful. Water levels were very low. Would be a very rough canyon when f...
Paradiso - Bullfrog
Date: 2018-05-21
Comment: Fun canyon with cool, deep pothole. Longer tight section than I initially imagined. Had a bit of a...
Zero G Canyon - San Rafael Swell
Date: 2017-06-01
Comment: Great canyon! The end turned out to be tighter than expected. One in our party got her helmet wedg...
North Fork of Iron Wash - San Rafael Swell
Date: 2017-06-01
Comment: Fun canyon - pretty stone patterns. Keeper had ankle deep water. Climbed out without issue - good ...