Top 10 Utah canyons for an out of towner?

Hi Tom and Dave,

Thanks for the advice. I’m certainly not just interested in the rapel canyons – the chimneying, scrambly or just walk through canyons are also of interest. I went out to Arches National Park a few years back and was really impressed with the short Fiery Furnace canyon I did. In fact, being a geologist, I would be impressed with just about anything cut into Navajo sandstone! 😉 The landscape is spectacular!

Utah seems to have it all, and all crammed into a much smaller space than in Australia! There are big wall (and big waterfall) canyons south to the Blueys in the Kanangra region, drier sandstone canyons NW of brisbane (Carnarvon gorge and surrounds), aridlands canyons in the Pilbara on the central west coast (3500 km from Canberra!) and near Alice Springs in the dead heart. It’d take a couple of weeks to drive to some of them from the east coast!

About the only thing we dont’ seem to have are the “keeper” potholes that you seem to have in abundance. I must admit to being a tad anxious about them (i’m a fair to middling rock climber – but you need something to grip to have a chance).

Cheers!

Dan.

— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:

Support Dave’s viewpoint, though my list would be a little different. I am not a big fan of Buckskin, so would suggest it is not the best use of your time.

From Canberra, I think “Utah” may seem like a single place. But the types and styles of canyons are quite varied. Zion canyons are maybe a lot like Oz Bluies Canyons, just a lot bigger. The rest of the state is much flatter and drier, and the canyons involve a lot of climbing-type movement, rather than rappelling-type action. It makes a big difference as to whether you are up for that style of canyoneering, and a good place to start that would be North Wash, however, unless it is unseasonably cool, your time schedule is a little early for the most athletic canyons (but still doable).

I like to think Americans are quite friendly. Hey GANG, let’s take Dan under our collective wings and show him “the good stuff”.

(White Rim Mt Bike Trip – AWESOME!)

Tom

— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “davewyo1” wrote:

I would say to try to get the better canyons in a few different regions. I bet you’ll get a wide variety on what peole think are the “best” canyons in any given area.

Say, do Cheesebox, Gravel and the Black Hole to get a feel for Cedar Mesa canyons.

Choprock and Neon are “must do” in the Escalante area.

Quandary and Knotted Rope in the Swell are super fun when filled with water.

Shenanighens, Middle Leprechaun and maybe one of the Hogs in North Wash will give you some “skinnies”. Throw in Hard Day Harvey if you want to try a “Lake Powell” canyon.

Chambers and some other stuff like Mindbender and Alcatraz in Robber’s Roost so you can say you went to the Roost.

Full Left Fork with Das Boot and Subway, plus Heaps in Zion.

Dave

— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “youwanjela” wrote:

Hi all,

I’m planning on visiting the States from mid September to mid October for some canyoning and hope to get in a few of the finest Utah has to offer. I’ve got a fair bit of experience of technical slot canyons in Australia under my belt (a bit over 20 years), will have a car and a mtn bike, and have all my own gear (canyoning and camping). I’ve done a bit of reading and have a bit of an idea of some places I’d like to try, but I was wondering if anyone had a must-do top ten (or even top 20) list of canyons in Utah?

We don’t have any permit systems in Australia (you can just turn up and do any canyon!), so any tips on getting permits would also be gratefully accepted.

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

Cheers

Dan (Canberra, Australia).

ps. I’ve managed already to tag onto a 3 day Buckskin Gulch trip, and a 3 day white rim mtn bike ride in canyonlands, which should be awesome…