It’s been raining alot.
Tom
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Scott S.”
Scott S.
Afraid of the Dark? Don’t come. > www.metgrotto.com
Yahoo Canyons Group
It’s been raining alot.
Tom
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Scott S.”
Scott S.
Afraid of the Dark? Don’t come. > www.metgrotto.com
adkramoo
Choprock and Neon were not impacted by the rains of mid May. It sprinkled there. The southern half of Kings Mesa got some flow. From Coyote to Hole in the Rock got saturation. What is happening right now? Not sure. Chop is in easy condition this year so far. To change that, it would take a well above average flood, that shifts a lot of sand around, scouring at the end of narrow sections AND also piling the sand quite high just beyond that point, increasing the potential for water holding capacity at the key points of the canyon, mostly mid canyon. Guessing that won’t happen, but…..
In Chop, I wore a 6/3 combo wetsuit set and was comfortable. We took our time. When it it is wet throughout, one moves through quickly. The lower half was pretty dry and we were able to slow down and soak in the experience. The happy section was as wet as ever. The spring was flowing fine and the water can be taken from the 2nd spring, which starts at the base of the boulder field near the end of the riparian section. Give it a few tenths of a mile to build up into deeper pools from there.
In Neon, I wore a 4/3 and much of our group did the same and wore the top peeled down much of the day. We were still happpy to have suits, but also enter the canyon hours above the standard 3 lower entries, so our exposure is more substantial.
I know of 3 groups heading down this weekend. Enjoy these classics and be safe. R
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “davewyo1” wrote:
I just heard that the Egypt slots are still bone dry in spite of the > rain in the area the other day. It is doubtful that Choprock and Neon > received substantial water and both should be considered to still be in > dry and perhaps extremely difficult conditions. > I would also consider the possibility that the spring in Chop is not > flowing very well. Ya gotta get right in the poison ivy to pump so > bring an ivy tolerant canyoneer;-) > Dave >
davewyo1
I just heard that the Egypt slots are still bone dry in spite of the rain in the area the other day. It is doubtful that Choprock and Neon received substantial water and both should be considered to still be in dry and perhaps extremely difficult conditions. I would also consider the possibility that the spring in Chop is not flowing very well. Ya gotta get right in the poison ivy to pump so bring an ivy tolerant canyoneer;-) Dave
A.J.
> Take a look at the map, if you get the chance. I can’t get on topo > right now, but am estimating that the Bridges entry is only half > way up to the top of Neon. From the Escalante access to Neon, more > and more large side canyons come in on the same side (north) as > the canyon you entered, above the canyon you entered.
Will research it more later. Already planning my next trip (Zion) now… Thanks for your info.
adkramoo
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “A.J.” wrote: > It wasn’t very difficult to get to the next canyon higher. Just a > little more time consuming. Three bridges? Cool.
When water conditions are right, you can swim thru all three. Nice narrows.
Will have to go > even higher next time. Is it possible to get to the head of Neon > from the normal left side LUC approach?
Take a look at the map, if you get the chance. I can’t get on topo right now, but am estimating that the Bridges entry is only half way up to the top of Neon. From the Escalante access to Neon, more and more large side canyons come in on the same side (north) as the canyon you entered, above the canyon you entered. To find ones way around could prove problematic, not to mention something like the 6 hour range of approach time. One could camp in the middle, near your access canyon (Aaron’s first stemming, age 8…Scared the crap out of me) and do a pair of day trips from that camp. Upper, then lower canyon….or you could do the practical thing and start at the Circle Cliffs and take it thru, on whatever time schedule suits your fancy. Certainly worth it, although the car shuttle is in the 3.5 hour range ;-O R
A.J.
> Not a clue. I missed seeing it last May twice. 10-15 feet up? Must > be a good story there 😉
I’m sure it’s a very good story. It’s a single piece of webbing, tied to a single line, which ends 10-15 feet above the ground. It was there last year as well. Looks like someone used the last of supplies to get out of a bind. Looked to be near the significant side drainage. Plan to head back and do both Baker forks and explore this side fork too. Prob not until next year though…
> Kind of cave like, right?
Not that I remember; just a downclimb from a choke, but easy chimney down into chest deep water.
> After your swimmer, you met the main canyon (Left LDC), you could > have headed up for 10 minutes and gotten to the bottom of the > bridges. To access the top, next time cross the canyon you descended > and follow slickrock ledges for 1/2 of a mile, around the next > corner, to the next side canyon. The weakness that allows entry is > just below where that side canyon slits in two. Some climbing to get > in and some downclimbs after skirting the wonderful potholes, 50 > yards from the main canyon. One can enter via similar N side side > canyons further up, but the Tribourough Bridges is the most ascetic.
Very cool. Thanks for the info. Am aiming for full Neon in a day next time…
A.J.
> How many of you did E4? A serious place indeed.
Five of us. Three exited at the first exit we came across, which is a little over half way to Kelsey’s exit at the opening of the canyon. Ben and I continued to the end.
> I Think Bruce N. did it recently too.
Yep, he did. He cautioned us prior to us going in. I knew it was going to be challenging from the X rating; so I only took in our best. The others could have made it fine, they just weren’t enjoying the abuse.
> Love to hear all of your impressions. How long in > the narrows etc. As for the padding. The Bell neo workout shorts > do the job. Most folks not using something along these lines can’t > do the stemming deal for more than a day or so, in a row, due to > bruising and scabbing in the small of the back.
Yep, we all had worn spots there, I definitely have some scabbing. Have the Bell shorts, but didn’t wear them for the canyon as I was already very hot without them. Will be thinking of other alternatives…
> With the shorts….day after day works, but it sure does make for > a swampy groin environ. Yuck!
I’ll bet. Will need more water too.
> Did the folks climbing up Chop from the final rap enter via the > one reasonable ramp (left LDC) from the rim that is low in the > canyon, jug up the final rap or simply descend to the end then > reverse up for the fun of it?
Just got to the end WAY before we were expecting (1pm), so turned around to play…
> As for East Baker, it takes 2-3 hours longer than West and also > has a harder and longer access. You probably chose wisely, due to > time constraints.
Yep, we were playing it safe. Didn’t figure the 2-3 hours longer in the canyon; but figured on another hour for the approach (compared to West.) We checked a few possible exits from West to East and found one that would very likely go; but it was a little sketchy without rock gear. May try it another time…
> AJ, in Chop where you gardened the logs… were there 2 vertical > logs that neaded clearing? Early Grim? Right at the 2 right turns?
Very early grim; right at the start. One main vertical log, with two other larger branches/smaller logs wedging. There was definitely a little more debris overhead that followed, but it wasn’t connected to the big jam which was over that; so I wasn’t worried. When I pulled the big log (while keeping as much of a distance as possible) the debris fell too as I expected. Made it passable though; and much more fun in those narrows.
> If so, you are braver than I. There were 6 logs there to begin > with. > The last two seemed to support the additional debris overhead. The > down thru the dark, when open is very cool and the way to go.
It’s now open, and the way to go.
> As for your Neon access. All routes up into that hood and I have > entered 3 different ways, that 3 hours up zone, all enter mid > Neon. Unlike Chop, which is fairly ordinary up high, Neon’s upper > section originates by the Circle Cliffs, has wonderful stuff and > is really a > 2 day descent. I believe Nat has also done this, along with the > author. Still, your starting up there is superior…way superior > to the 3 standard sport route entries. You did not describe the > swim through the 3 natural bridges (AKA Tribourough Bridges > Section), so I am guessing you entered the fine canyon with a > short stemming section and a slide/climb/rap entry into a pool of > 15 feet, just as the canyon turns right. Meets the main canyon 200 > yards lower. Is that the one?
It wasn’t very difficult to get to the next canyon higher. Just a little more time consuming. Three bridges? Cool. Will have to go even higher next time. Is it possible to get to the head of Neon from the normal left side LUC approach? Looked like it to me, but we had a significant amount of people with us this time. I’ll bet a small experienced team could do it in a day…
I didn’t notice the bridges, so we probably entered at the side canyon you are mentioning. Don’t remember the main canyon turning right, but there was definitely a downclimb into a pool; but it was only a chest deep wade of around 15 feet. Wild memory, as usual.
> Good times. Fun stuff.
Yes, very.
> R >
Jonas Fast
The rope in Baker’s mind boggling. It seems like a failed pull or something as I hope they did not have to jump the last part…Hope somebody dares to tell the story if they are here on the forum;-)
Uummm? Is East tighter than the tightest part of West (the squeeze through a crack between two round rooms) or just more continously tight? I just made that with some effort so any tighter may not be for me unless you can climb over the narrow part (as in west if needed), which may explain the harder up climbs in east?.
Neon: After the narrow part with some down climbs and short off-the-deck stemming, the climb into the pool in the side canyon was a narrow slide with a crack where you could jam your heels, we handlined to a ledge above the pool and then swam over to sand and out in main Neon. It may be said to be cave-like if I recall it right, it was very beautiful anyway.
Thanks for the route info for the next trip, sounds like a must-do version!
Jonas
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adkramoo
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “jonas_fast” wrote: > Hi Ram, > E4: There were 5 of us doing E4 but 3 (good climbers) got out after > the first section. AJ have to get back tomorrow (he has the digest) > with more details on E4
Can’t wait
> Thanks for the tip on the shorts!
Welcome
> Chop: more details later again I guess, but they turned around before> rapping out to the land of the living and upclimbed more or less the> whole Grim section avoiding using logs as much as possible to make it> “clean”.
Logs are part of the place, but hey, whatever rules the players wish to play by…
> Bakers: So what makes East Baker so much longer than West apart from> the approach? On the map the forks seem to be of equal length. No> bolts that speed up anchor work? Tighter? Any favorite fork?
It is slower going, with harder up climbing. Tight yes. Anchor challenges yes. Do I fit in there? Ummmmm
> Any info on the drainage east of east? > Saw an rope tied to webbing hanging on the wall to the left 200 yards> after the exit rap of Baker’s (LDC). It ends 10-15 feet above the> ground and was there in April last year too. Made us curious Know> the story behind that?
Not a clue. I missed seeing it last May twice. 10-15 feet up? Must be a good story there 😉
> Neon: We went in through the second side canyon on the left (LUC) and> it sounds like we used the entry you describe with the pool as a > swimmer.
Kind of cave like, right?
I liked the top part very much and it is indeed the way to do > it in a day I think!
From the report, it sounds like you went into that optional section, with the pothole escapes at the end. Great stuff
It would be great to do the full Neon from the > top! Where/How much further up do you enter to do the three bridges?
A fter your swimmer, you met the main canyon (Left LDC), you could have headed up for 10 minutes and gotten to the bottom of the bridges. To access the top, next time cross the canyon you descended and follow slickrock ledges for 1/2 of a mile, around the next corner, to the next side canyon. The weakness that allows entry is just below where that side canyon slits in two. Some climbing to get in and some downclimbs after skirting the wonderful potholes, 50 yards from the main canyon. One can enter via similar N side side canyons further up, but the Tribourough Bridges is the most ascetic. R
jonas_fast
Hi Ram,
E4: There were 5 of us doing E4 but 3 (good climbers) got out after the first section. AJ have to get back tomorrow (he has the digest) with more details on E4 as I did E3 with 7 others in the group.
Thanks for the tip on the shorts!
Chop: more details later again I guess, but they turned around before rapping out to the land of the living and upclimbed more or less the whole Grim section avoiding using logs as much as possible to make it “clean”. They estimated they had 2-3 potholes left before the rap when they turned back down again.
The first log jam in Grim was the gardened, the one with the dark tight winding section under.
Bakers: So what makes East Baker so much longer than West apart from the approach? On the map the forks seem to be of equal length. No bolts that speed up anchor work? Tighter? Any favorite fork?
Any info on the drainage east of east?
Saw an rope tied to webbing hanging on the wall to the left 200 yards after the exit rap of Baker’s (LDC). It ends 10-15 feet above the ground and was there in April last year too. Made us curious Know the story behind that?
Neon: We went in through the second side canyon on the left (LUC) and it sounds like we used the entry you describe with the pool as a swimmer. I liked the top part very much and it is indeed the way to do it in a day I think! It would be great to do the full Neon from the top! Where/How much further up do you enter to do the three bridges?
Indeed good time and a great weekend! Thanks for your comments!
Jonas
adkramoo
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “A.J.” wrote: Great to get TR’s. Love to hear from others too. Some questions and observations from Aj’s and Jonas’ TR’s…………
How many of you did E4? A serious place indeed. I Think Bruce N. did it recently too. Love to hear all of your impressions. How long in the narrows etc. As for the padding. The Bell neo workout shorts do the job. Most folks not using something along these lines can’t do the stemming deal for more than a day or so, in a row, due to bruising and scabbing in the small of the back. With the shorts….day after day works, but it sure does make for a swampy groin environ. Yuck!
Did the folks climbing up Chop from the final rap enter via the one reasonable ramp (left LDC) from the rim that is low in the canyon, jug up the final rap or simply descend to the end then reverse up for the fun of it?
As for East Baker, it takes 2-3 hours longer than West and also has a harder and longer access. You probably chose wisely, due to time constraints.
AJ, in Chop where you gardened the logs… were there 2 vertical logs that neaded clearing? Early Grim? Right at the 2 right turns? If so, you are braver than I. There were 6 logs there to begin with. The last two seemed to support the additional debris overhead. The down thru the dark, when open is very cool and the way to go.
As for your Neon access. All routes up into that hood and I have entered 3 different ways, that 3 hours up zone, all enter mid Neon. Unlike Chop, which is fairly ordinary up high, Neon’s upper section originates by the Circle Cliffs, has wonderful stuff and is really a 2 day descent. I believe Nat has also done this, along with the author. Still, your starting up there is superior…way superior to the 3 standard sport route entries. You did not describe the swim through the 3 natural bridges (AKA Tribourough Bridges Section), so I am guessing you entered the fine canyon with a short stemming section and a slide/climb/rap entry into a pool of 15 feet, just as the canyon turns right. Meets the main canyon 200 yards lower. Is that the one?
Good times. Fun stuff. R
A.J.
A group of us went down to the Escalante over the long weekend, which we made longer by a few days. The HITR road is fine with a little washboard out to the Egypt Bench road. Easily passable by 2wd. The washboard gets a little worse on the Egypt bench road, and has a few rough spots that would take some careful driving in a mid-clearance 2wd car. A high-clearance 2wd would make it fine to the Egypt bench trailhead, slowing down in a few spots.
We did E4 first; quite the warmup canyon. Fun, but strenuous, canyon with lots of off the deck stuff; some quite high. Quite sustained, with a few silo crossings; you aren’t on the ground for very long at all for most of the first section of canyon. Footing seemed a little loose in the beginning, with some sand on the walls; but felt comfortable the rest of the way. All the Egypts had decent water. Certainly not requiring a wetsuit for E4; you would be insanely warm with all the climbing – and most of the time you were at least 30 feet above the water. Although, additional padding on the lower back would be nice; we were all quite sore there. Not a beginner canyon; be careful if you head there. It would be possible to start upclimbing from the bottom (though even more strenous), and head up as as far as you felt comfortable. Otherwise, we saw three different exits on the way down. One prior to the one Kelsey mentions; it was a ramp on the right LDC, then Kelsey’s exit when the canyon opens with ramps on both sides, and the lowest section has many exits as it’s much more open with potholes. Although, if you go from the top, and made it to the bottom section, no need to exit as the final section is comparitively easy.
A second group did E3 while we were in E4. They said the lower section had a long swim in cold water. The water was clean and refreshing on the warm day. No wetsuit needed, as the long hike back is just afterwards. Warm day in the lower 80’s.
We then hiked down into Fence canyon that same day – Thursday, and camped near the confluence of the Escalante. Friday we hiked up past the standard entrance, and bench walked all the way to the next major canyon on the left LUC. This is quite a distance from the normal long route mentioned by Shane and Tom. Still not at the canyon head, but it adds about 3-4 hours round trip to the normal Neon route. The section above is quite fun with a variety of downclimbs, swims through narrow tunnels (many can be bypassed, but why?), and some open canyon walking. As mentioned in the previous post, we dropped into the first deep keeper pothole (near the bolt bypass on the left LDC) by sequencing and got out using 2 potshots with rocks from the pothole and one pack toss. The second keeper was a climb out on a slick large branch/small log. The final rappel was awesome as usual. Most wore 3/2 full wetsuits and were fine. The warmer blooded went without a wetsuit as it was in the upper 80’s.
Saturday a group of us hiked over to Bakers and did West Baker. Very fun canyon with lots of variety. Some swims, a jump or two, fun downclimbing, a very tight squeeze, and beautiful sculpting. Raps to 55 feet, some natural, some from a single bolt. Some natural anchors could be built near the bolts, but the bolts were in decent shape and were pretty clean so we used them. East looked great too, but we were playing it on the conservative side because we had Choprock on the plan for tomorrow. We hiked back to camp that afternoon. Most wore 3/2 full wetsuits, the warmer blooded wore 3/2 farmer johns, and were fine; but it was in the upper 80’s.
Sunday was Choprock. We started early, just after 4am, because we were expecting issues from what we heard from the field. Found the canyon to be quite easy this year (relative to previous Choprock.) There were more log jams than last year, but all the upclimbs were from dry spots, with the walls near the upclimbs being quite condusive to easy climbing. There was a decent upclimb and span near the start of the grim; but it was in a really cool section, so I climbed down and deconstructed one of the jams so everyone could experience the dark, tight and twisty slot section. It took us around 10 hours tent to tent; but we had a pretty experienced group. All were in full wetsuits; minimum of 4/3mm and were fine. There were two longer swims. The first is awesome with tight twisty narrows for a hundred yards or so. We exited the canyon around 1pm, and leisurely strolled the river floating our packs behind us back to camp. Wish we knew we could have made it through that quick as we could have added East Baker the previous day. Oh well, better safe than sorry. East will be there next time.
Monday we hiked out, saw Dave and Penny coming in on our way out (hope you guys had fun in E2 and E3!), hit the Kiva coffeehouse, relaxed, ate, chatted, and did the long drive home. A great time. Trip reports and photos to follow in the future.
Jonas Fast
Hi,
A little update on conditions in Escalante canyons:
E3, a lot of water in the bottom with a final long swim, fine water. Great finale to a fun canyon.
E4, some water and a final swim but all can be avoided, bring butt pads or take the pain…most people did not enjoy the canyon at all and it is not recommended unless you like and are skilled for high exposed stemming/chimneying forever and physical challenges.
Neon as reported and the pothole that one can climb and rap around is dry and +10 feet deep at the exit, solved with a bunch of pot shots and boosting. The entry is better sequenced rapped or handlined. Otherwise as reported from the the second side canyon entry (ca 1h above the normal entry).
Chop as reported, but the first logjam after the rap in the Grim is possible to go under after AJ did some gardening. Two persons upclimbed the Grim section from the final rap to 2-3 potholes away from the start of Grim – they were tired in camp…
West Baker: first pool ca 6 feet deep, a mix of wading and swimming in the other parts. Great canyon!
Hope everybody had a good weekend it was great to meet you all!
Jonas
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adkramoo
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “bsilliman2001” wrote:
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Rob” wrote:
We’ve had no more precipitation since almost 3 weeks ago and Escalante > would be the same. Where were you thinkin of going?
Many canyons down Escalante hold water year round. Pick carefully. What Bruce said….where you thinkin of goin? R
bsilliman2001
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Rob” wrote:
Anyone been down in Escalante canyons lately? Thinking of heading > there this weekend for some Christmas fun. Wondering how wet these > canyons would be. Any other recent beta would be great. > Hey Rob,
We’ve had no more precipitation since almost 3 weeks ago and Escalante would be the same.
For my trip to Horseshoe Canyon I called the rangers down at Hans Flat ranger station and they said the whole area was 2 WD due to the lack of moisture. This whole area is dry.
Where were you thinkin of going?
bruce from bryce
Rob
Anyone been down in Escalante canyons lately? Thinking of heading there this weekend for some Christmas fun. Wondering how wet these canyons would be. Any other recent beta would be great.
Adventure On! Rob
adkramoo
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “ionsmuse” wrote:
Had a couple awesome days in wonderland. Long nights, but the days > have been excellent.
Where did you camp? Bet you had the place pretty much to yourselves
Davis has water to waist. We didn’t find the > rope necessary, but overall this one was tremendously varied and > scenic and highly recommended.
Thanx. The wouldn’t let me go and FORCED me to take them to canyons that I had done, rather than ones that they had done
Neon has lotsa water; the “keeper” is > full, and I got to engage in my favored pastime of breaking ice whilst > swimming.
Wahoo!! Which entry did you do? One of the sport enties? Do it as a day trip, from up top? Any footprints in there? Did you find the ice in the areas more open to the sky or also in the narrower and darker areas? Nice coop pulling that off in December!!!
Only bummer, tore my neck gasket badly (taking the suit off > thankfully) and thus Zion will be limited.
Repair!! ZAC will help!
Looks like a cold front is > moving in, off for some hiking and climbing somewhere warmer. > Winter in the desert is excellent!
Thanx for letting me live thru you, for a bit. Keep after it, while you got the time and the chance. Hi to Meredith too Ram
ionsmuse
Had a couple awesome days in wonderland. Long nights, but the days have been excellent. Davis has water to waist. We didn’t find the rope necessary, but overall this one was tremendously varied and scenic and highly recommended. Neon has lotsa water; the “keeper” is full, and I got to engage in my favored pastime of breaking ice whilst swimming. Only bummer, tore my neck gasket badly (taking the suit off thankfully) and thus Zion will be limited. Looks like a cold front is moving in, off for some hiking and climbing somewhere warmer.
Winter in the desert is excellent!
-d
adkramoo
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “ratagonia” wrote: > When full, Neon has a LOT of swimming. I would recommend wetsuits > (brrrrr) or drysuits (better).
Back less than a hour now from the Neon area. The final pothole before the final rap had 5 1/2 feet of water in it at the exit area (Sandy bottom) and was a swimmer everywhere else. My 75 pound son Aaron (Who wants to join this forum and write this trip report) climbed up on 6 foot dad and up and over the 2 1/2 foot higher sandy, slanted lip. Come prepared. Wet suit recommended. Also the pothole before the moqui steps is even more serious. Fun!
RAM
ratagonia
When full, Neon has a LOT of swimming. I would recommend wetsuits (brrrrr) or drysuits (better).
Tom
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “fdikken2002” wrote: > I went thru Egypt-3 last Wendesday. Road, T/H, weather and route > were all great! Some water in slot and especially bottom potholes, > knee deep. Left Escalante Fri, 20-40% chance of showers were > predicted. Heard there was quite a bit of water in Neon, didn’t go.
Frank
> I’ll be in Escalante next week. Most likely Egypt & Neon. Anything > anyone want to divulge about conditions lately? How about parking, > approach?
Scott S.
Afraid of the Dark? Don’t come.
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