The Latest Rave is your resource for Utah Canyoneering know-how. From Utah canyon condition reports to narratives of mind-bending epics to wildflower sightings, you will find all the beta you need from Tom and his team on The Rave.
Think about where you are at this very moment, reading these words. Think about the land beneath your feet, under your seat, and right outside your window. Chances are that your current location is like much of the rest of our planet today - dramatically altered and under the direct control of human beings, utterly unrecognizable in terms of its prehistoric qualities. These changes might have improved your current comfort, but something valuable and increasingly rare has been lost in the taming of where you are now.
Consider your dependence on technology in your day to day life. How reliant are you on motorized or mechanized vehicles for your transportation needs? How long has it been since you’ve been without an outlet to charge your smartphone? How much do you depend on your furnace when it’s cold and your air conditioner when it’s hot? How able are you to thrive in the absence of grocery stores and permanent shelter? Are skills like these even relevant in your daily routine?
The Mystery 2023 is 2” taller than prior versions, making it more of a ‘real pack’, only 1” shorter than the Kolob. The three-point shoulder straps fit and carry better, and are easier to sew. They allow a wide fit range, from 5’4” to 6’2” (ish). The hipbelt is the traditional Wing Style as before, but adjusted for better function and easier sewing. The back frame is lighter and better at providing vertical structure. Otherwise, the standard Mystery features apply - small enough to bring through narrow canyons, large enough to bring… well, stuff. On the approach. Not so much IN-Canyon. No lid. Armored sides with moderate drainage. Padded bottom for durability, with the Swoop styling that works well for downclimbing. Quick-release shoulder straps. Water tube exits for those foolish enough to bring tanks into canyons. Inside Rack to hold your gear. Stout handle on the outside. Over-the-top strap to pull the whole thing together. Sidewinder handle on one side, for when it really gets skinny. Helmet pocket outside. And a non-pocket on the lower part of each side.
Total Weight = 2 lbs 10 oz. Volume is 28 liters for the body, plus 5 liters for the Helmet Pocket on the approach.
East Rim Trail near East Entrance —- April 2022 Flowerwalks
Last year was very very dry. Last year's condition has a lot to do with how this year's bloom will be, in addition to spring temperatures and precip.
When I started studying Zion Wildflowers, I wanted to write a book that would say what blooms where and when... how incredibly naive! I also thought there were only maybe 200 species of flowers in The Park... ha ha ha ha ha. Joke's on me.
We have made a change to the ScuttleButt for 2022.
Rather than entirely welded PVC laminate construction, the new version with have a '“Cordura” (actually, air-textured nylon, non-branded) top section that goes around the harness waistbelt, and a welded PVC laminate lower section over your butt and the harness leg loops.
It had been on the list for a few years. Okay, TEN years. Expectations were low, but the approach was only an hour, the canyon itself was fairly short, it promised some long raps at the end, NO WATER, and the exit was short. In the quest to get out and do something, yeah, let’s do an exploration, and see what happens!
Tim Hoover recently located in Springdale was my partner for the day. We met at the Water Canyon (Hildale) trailhead and it was darn cold out… being, like, January and all. Got going at 9:24. Wonderful hike up to the top of water canyon. Lots of uphill. Nice to do it at a relaxed pace.
For ten years, us pagans have done an interesting canyon on Christmas Day. And usually, it is perhaps the most difficult canyon of the year for me, being the “responsible one” with a vivid imagination for what could go wrong. This year, our Christmas gang was down to Tim Hoover and myself, and we were both inclined less toward suffering / swimming in icewater; and more toward just getting out for the day to stimulate the appetite.
After a bit of discussion, we settled on Hidden Star (which I had not done previously) and Yankee Doodle (which I had only done as a guided trip, all three of which were ‘interesting’). Tim suggested an early start, and I asked why?
So we did. Took us a while to find the start of Hidden Star, but I have to say it is a brilliant find. And Yankee Doodle - uh, well… is Yankee Doodle.
Some canyons opened for business 9-24-2020 and I decided to make a quick dash through Pine Creek on the next day, Friday 9-25.
I had unfinished anchor business in there. The winter before last, the large boulder at the end of the narrows section moved down 6 feet, restoring the rappel that used to be here, since climbing under was no longer possible. The glue-in bolt Mr. Cabe …
My buddy Jonathan Zambella made a connection with a UK boot maker a couple years ago, and has been using their boots in his Rental Program since. It’s complicated, so stay with me here. The goal is to bring a USA version “Chameleon” of the European boot “Aquator” to the USA starting Spring 2021 - might have a few Nov 1, 2020.
Out onto Dominey Reservoir for another splendid September trip. The weather was bomber - blue sky, not much wind - but a bit on the hot side, so early starts were called for, and many of our approach hikes were long and took a lot out of me, who does not do that well in the heat. Especially after hiding in my basement all summer…
I don’t take enough pictures to tell the tale of A canyon, and it is Lake Powell, so we don’t anyway. Powell is a special place, a reserve of adventure canyoneering.
Zion Park re-opened on a limited basis and I needed some exercise. Trail-hiking allowed, off trail not so much. Tim Hoover came up from Springdale which allowed us to do a 2-car route to Observation Point. The Cross-Echo version starts from the Stave Springs Trailhead, crosses Echo Canyon, hits O Pt, then exits via the East Mesa Trail. The simple East Mesa to OPt and back just seemed too little punishment for our sixty-year-old plus bodies…
I took along my “medium” camera to take pics of flowers (and perhaps scenery), and the results were …
Home confinement was driving me nuts. Doing a straightforward canyon with a small well-selected crew seemed like a reasonable and safe/conservative thing to do. No local contact required. Separate cooking and sleeping / social distancing. We chose a place to camp where we expected no one else to camp, even on a beautiful weekend as was finally coming up after a slow spring. In this case, we was Sara Morger, Melissa Webb and myself. Thanks for inviting me.
I had done the South Fork of Ticaboo Creek route several years ago with Ryan Cornia after a 10 hour drive from Mt Carmel on a HUUUGE thunderstorm day. Thus we got the canyon full of fresh water. We had a good day, but I was not particularly impressed by the canyon. Three hours of sleep the night before might have had something to do with that.
The weather was beautiful, we did the canyon, it was brilliant.
S Fork is an odd canyon. A couple big rappels, a chain of potholes, and arch or two. Not very Ticaboo-like, no skinny stuff.
Heaps is closed. Hopefully opening soon - I hear they are working on the Kayenta Trail. In the meantime, here is a pictorial for the Canyon, from pics over many trips and from several sources. Enjoy.
There is a long tradition of Pie and Beer Day in Utah — our second 4th of July! Coming on a Wednesday this year, we HAD to take the day off but… the madness of Zion these days, and the maddening heat finally here, the standard canyons inside the Park just did not seem like a good idea. Shirlz suggested a romp through Benson Creek up by Parowan / Brian Head. Splashing water, a couple nice raps, not too long, someone else driving… Previously it had seemed a long way to go for a short canyon (1-1/2 hours from Mount Carmel), but it sure seemed like a good idea on this day.
One concept I have been working on putting into words is the idea of Stewardship, both personal on my part, and moreover the stewardship the community and visitors take on, to keep the canyons clean, friendly and in as natural a state as possible. Keeping the canyons “natural” requires active management, as contradictory as that sounds, and producing a guidebook spurns the steward in me to take action, and deal with problems that have festered for a while.
I have some bruised ribs, so I am not up for much right now, but I could not resist getting out to my closest Zion trail to shoot some flowers. It rained last month, almost every day. Now we have had a week or two of hot weather, so the flowers are out something FANTASTIC! All shots here at near the East Entrance trailhead to the East Rim Trail… and actually within 100 yards of the parking lot. SO many blooms out. No mosquitoes. Hot hot hot though…
Not the best conditions (excuse#1). A late start due to errands to run, etc. It was windy. There was not much light. But there were a fair number of flowers out, and Cassy Brown and I both got a few good shots, despite the excuses… uh, I mean, challenges!
Parking in Zions is tough at around 5 pm, on a Saturday, but we found at spot at Canyon Junction. Took a quick peek around there. Then Weeping Rock, in the shade, chilly. Then …
