I was wondering about the feasability of doing keyhole in the winter in dry suits. I am meeting people in Zion who have heard about my canyoneering trips. They are curious and want to see what it is like. I was wondering whether Keyhole is accessible or if snowfall clogs it. I am mainly a spring, summer, and fall canyoneer. I have done some canyons that were pretty open and dry in the winter. However, I have only been in 3 canyons three where snow and ice were a major concern. Any comments are welcome.
Yahoo Canyons Group
Tom Jones
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “shawn” wrote:
I was wondering about the feasability of doing keyhole in the winter > in dry suits. I am meeting people in Zion who have heard about my > canyoneering trips. They are curious and want to see what it is > like. I was wondering whether Keyhole is accessible or if snowfall > clogs it. I am mainly a spring, summer, and fall canyoneer. I have > done some canyons that were pretty open and dry in the winter. > However, I have only been in 3 canyons three where snow and ice > were a major concern. > Any comments are welcome. > We did Keyhole a few winters back as prep for a winter Imlay. It was cold. If there has been recent snow, the downclimb to get to the canyon might be dicey, but it should melt off quickly.
The water is cold, as in, 32 degrees. We used double neo socks with WaterBlocker socks over the ankle seal, held in place by the ankle cuff. Neo gloves will be required, at least AFTER the rappels.
Short, sweet, kinda cool. You will likely do some ice-breaking at the end.
But not something I would call “real fun” for newbies.
Tom