A friend of mine wants to take a group of people from the CO Mountain Club in the Durango area on an “intro to slot canyons” trip in early June. He asked me for suggestions on canyons. My first thoughts about that time of year were gnats and heat. I told him ordinarily I’d suggest North Wash, but early June might not be a lot of fun there. Other thoughts were the Swell – Little Wild Horse, Ding/Dang, Ramp/Cistern, Quandary – Blue John, etc. Any suggestions for canyons that would be enjoyable that time of year for canyoneering newbies who probably have at least a little climbing experience? Sue
Yahoo Canyons Group
RAM
Ahhhh, lets see. They are going when its very hot, but swimming is a show stopper for them? They want suggestions that make sense, but won’t “flow” with them when they are given? You are leading them to water, but they won’t drink? Or swim? Ummmm. Sorry. R
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “sue_agr” wrote:
Guess I should have mentioned that they’ve said that some wading is ok but they don’t want to do any swimming. So, unfortunately, all the great suggestions you’ve all made won’t work for them. Any thoughts on some drier canyons that might work (and be comfortable)? They’ll just postpone the trip till the fall if they can’t come up with anything that won’t be uncomfortable due to gnats and/or heat. > Sue
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “sue_agr” wrote:
A friend of mine wants to take a group of people from the CO Mountain Club in the Durango area on an “intro to slot canyons” trip in early June. He asked me for suggestions on canyons. My first thoughts about that time of year were gnats and heat. I told him ordinarily I’d suggest North Wash, but early June might not be a lot of fun there. Other thoughts were the Swell – Little Wild Horse, Ding/Dang, Ramp/Cistern, Quandary – Blue John, etc. Any suggestions for canyons that would be enjoyable that time of year for canyoneering newbies who probably have at least a little climbing experience?
Sue
>
TomJones
“I want to go canyoneering, but not have to swim, get wet or be uncomfortable – oh, and no bugs either”.
Good luck with that.
I know that sounds snarky, but… but my claim is, canyoneering involves descending canyons and dealing with what the canyons present. Which often involves swimming or at least getting a bit wet, getting uncomfortable, and having the outcome uncertain. Adventure, some might call it. I recommend it. (more snarkiness???)
That said, the BEST season in Utah, except maybe Zion, is October into November. September too, if not too hot. Plenty of fine canyons in the Roost and North Wash to start with. Check out Larry, Alcatraz, Bluejohn, Not Mindbender. In North Wash: Leprechaun, east, west and main. West Forks of Butler (Foolin’ Around, Shenanigans, Monkey Business), the mini-slots (Merry Piglet, Hogwarts, Morocco), the Poison Springs canyons (Slideanide, Constrychnine, Arscenic), The Hogs, Maidenwater. Some of these are dry, or at least dryish most of the time. But bringing wetsuits increases the options, especially should conditions prove wet. Work the yardsales over the summer for some wetsuits… full legs and sleeves VERY much more useful than shorties.
Tom
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “sue_agr” wrote:
Guess I should have mentioned that they’ve said that some wading is ok but they don’t want to do any swimming. So, unfortunately, all the great suggestions you’ve all made won’t work for them. Any thoughts on some drier canyons that might work (and be comfortable)? They’ll just postpone the trip till the fall if they can’t come up with anything that won’t be uncomfortable due to gnats and/or heat. > Sue
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “sue_agr” wrote:
A friend of mine wants to take a group of people from the CO Mountain Club in the Durango area on an “intro to slot canyons” trip in early June. He asked me for suggestions on canyons. My first thoughts about that time of year were gnats and heat. I told him ordinarily I’d suggest North Wash, but early June might not be a lot of fun there. Other thoughts were the Swell – Little Wild Horse, Ding/Dang, Ramp/Cistern, Quandary – Blue John, etc. Any suggestions for canyons that would be enjoyable that time of year for canyoneering newbies who probably have at least a little climbing experience?
Sue
>
sue_agr
Guess I should have mentioned that they’ve said that some wading is ok but they don’t want to do any swimming. So, unfortunately, all the great suggestions you’ve all made won’t work for them. Any thoughts on some drier canyons that might work (and be comfortable)? They’ll just postpone the trip till the fall if they can’t come up with anything that won’t be uncomfortable due to gnats and/or heat. Sue
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “sue_agr” wrote:
A friend of mine wants to take a group of people from the CO Mountain Club in the Durango area on an “intro to slot canyons” trip in early June. He asked me for suggestions on canyons. My first thoughts about that time of year were gnats and heat. I told him ordinarily I’d suggest North Wash, but early June might not be a lot of fun there. Other thoughts were the Swell – Little Wild Horse, Ding/Dang, Ramp/Cistern, Quandary – Blue John, etc. Any suggestions for canyons that would be enjoyable that time of year for canyoneering newbies who probably have at least a little climbing experience? > Sue >
TomJones
Specifically, The Black Hole, Cheesebox and Gravel. Of these Cheesebox is the best, the BH second, the Gravel 3rd. Gnats could be bad, plenty of wild camping in the area (especially near the crossing used for Cheese), 4WD (mostly likely) required to get across White Canyon for Cheese and Gravel; and wetsuits required for Cheese and Gravel.
Tom
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “carpeybiggs” wrote:
cedar mesa perhaps, it’s closer and has some long swims that will keep ’em cooled off. nice “intro” canyons.
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “sue_agr” wrote:
A friend of mine wants to take a group of people from the CO Mountain Club in the Durango area on an “intro to slot canyons” trip in early June. He asked me for suggestions on canyons. My first thoughts about that time of year were gnats and heat. I told him ordinarily I’d suggest North Wash, but early June might not be a lot of fun there. Other thoughts were the Swell – Little Wild Horse, Ding/Dang, Ramp/Cistern, Quandary – Blue John, etc. Any suggestions for canyons that would be enjoyable that time of year for canyoneering newbies who probably have at least a little climbing experience?
Sue
>
RAM
Oh and one could throw in the lovely and non committing pothole section of Clear Creek already being all the way down there!
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, scott patterson wrote:
If they don’t have to be roped canyons, I would suggest the super scenic 40 mile canyon and Bouder Creek as being really good ones in June.  Davis Gulch too (and you do use ropes), though the hike out would be warm. >  > For technical canyons, maybe Burrow, Cottonwood and Fivemile, but you should have some experience to try them.
— On Tue, 3/30/10, sue_agr wrote:
> From: sue_agr To: Yahoo Canyons Group
Date: Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 12:26 PM
> A friend of mine wants to take a group of people from the CO Mountain Club in the Durango area on an “intro to slot canyons” trip in early June. He asked me for suggestions on canyons. My first thoughts about that time of year were gnats and heat. I told him ordinarily I’d suggest North Wash, but early June might not be a lot of fun there. Other thoughts were the Swell – Little Wild Horse, Ding/Dang, Ramp/Cistern, Quandary – Blue John, etc. Any suggestions for canyons that would be enjoyable that time of year for canyoneering newbies who probably have at least a little climbing experience? > Sue
—
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scott patterson
If they don’t have to be roped canyons, I would suggest the super scenic 40 mile canyon and Bouder Creek as being really good ones in June.  Davis Gulch too (and you do use ropes), though the hike out would be warm.  For technical canyons, maybe Burrow, Cottonwood and Fivemile, but you should have some experience to try them.
— On Tue, 3/30/10, sue_agr sagranoff@alum.mit.edu> wrote:
From: sue_agr sagranoff@alum.mit.edu> Subject: [from Canyons Group] Looking for info: June beginner canyons To: Yahoo Canyons Group Date: Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 12:26 PM
A friend of mine wants to take a group of people from the CO Mountain Club in the Durango area on an “intro to slot canyons” trip in early June. He asked me for suggestions on canyons. My first thoughts about that time of year were gnats and heat. I told him ordinarily I’d suggest North Wash, but early June might not be a lot of fun there. Other thoughts were the Swell – Little Wild Horse, Ding/Dang, Ramp/Cistern, Quandary – Blue John, etc. Any suggestions for canyons that would be enjoyable that time of year for canyoneering newbies who probably have at least a little climbing experience? Sue
—
When you post, please change the Subject appropriately, to make reading and searching easier. You can use the following abbreviations: TRIP = Trip Report; BETA = Canyon Beta; PARTNER = Partner and/or Rides; ETHICS = Ethics; TECH = Technical Questions and Tips; BIZ = E Group Business; SALE = Stuff for Sale. Please use a Tilde ~ after the abbreviation, so we know you are coding for us, such as:
Subject: BIZ~ New Abbreviation List – working?
To change your delivery options, go to the Canyons Egroup page on yahoo: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canyons/
This will require logging into Yahoo. Click on the "Edit My Membership" link, and change your delivery option. Press "Save Changes".
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RAM
Hey Sue. Thank you for all the great work you do for the Great Old Broads. Your a champ! I agree with Carpy. Cedar Mesa is a good choice, but still can be dreadfully hot. Fry to start. Black hole next, finish with Cheesebox and Gravel. Another thing to consider is the easy canyons of Zion. Pine, Keyhole, Spry. Graduate to Boundary? R
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “sue_agr” wrote:
A friend of mine wants to take a group of people from the CO Mountain Club in the Durango area on an “intro to slot canyons” trip in early June. He asked me for suggestions on canyons. My first thoughts about that time of year were gnats and heat. I told him ordinarily I’d suggest North Wash, but early June might not be a lot of fun there. Other thoughts were the Swell – Little Wild Horse, Ding/Dang, Ramp/Cistern, Quandary – Blue John, etc. Any suggestions for canyons that would be enjoyable that time of year for canyoneering newbies who probably have at least a little climbing experience? > Sue >
carpeybiggs
cedar mesa perhaps, it’s closer and has some long swims that will keep ’em cooled off. nice “intro” canyons.
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “sue_agr” wrote:
A friend of mine wants to take a group of people from the CO Mountain Club in the Durango area on an “intro to slot canyons” trip in early June. He asked me for suggestions on canyons. My first thoughts about that time of year were gnats and heat. I told him ordinarily I’d suggest North Wash, but early June might not be a lot of fun there. Other thoughts were the Swell – Little Wild Horse, Ding/Dang, Ramp/Cistern, Quandary – Blue John, etc. Any suggestions for canyons that would be enjoyable that time of year for canyoneering newbies who probably have at least a little climbing experience? > Sue >