For a canyon named Don't Do It! DDII have done it far too many times! When I was working up to Sandthrax, DDI Canyon was one I did several times over a year or so to gain some confidence in X-Rated canyons The canyon, at least to my eyes, isn't particularly pretty I do, however, find the climbing fun, engaging, and hard enough to challenge, but not hard enough to feel desperate Why the name "Don't Do It" I am not sure of the history beyond the lore Steve Allen named it after his descent My suspicion is the name com...

Short lives up to its name short Although short in length and time, it is a lovely slot canyon, with some highly photographic sections in the right light If you are in the area doing other adventures, Short Canyon is a great start or end to a day

Canyon ratings are notoriously confusing. Be sure to read the introduction to canyon ratings to understand what each part of a rating denotes. By: Diane Menuz Have you ever spent longer in a canyon than you anticipated or wondered whether you were ready to take on a more challenging canyon? Not known what canyon to take a group of beginners down or gotten out of a canyon after dark? Canyoneering ratings should help resolve these issues, but more often than not they don't!&nb...

Upper Greasewood is a great little canyon, in an easy to access, yet remote feeling part of the Swell Its short nature makes it a good beginner canyon with competent leadership The canyon is not a slot, but more of a V-shaped canyon with many possible exits along the way This canyon is like Upper Three, but without the potholes The canyon is memorable to me, because of the large number of wild burro tracks we found in between rappels The locals were clearly trying to find what during the hot summer months! The cany...

Ah, on my first trip through Micro Death Hollow in about 2005, the big first rappel is what left a lasting impression on me Re-visiting the canyon in 2015 left me surprised at how much action and fun is packed in such a short section of canyon This is a canyon with a little bit of everything You start the day with a mellow approach to a stunning 84 m rappel down a water worn groove into the belly of the monster This is followed by a keeper pothole and some sinuous and tight narrows Though not as tight as Egypt 3, S...

Yellow Brick Road is one of the most beautiful areas around The area is not the place for tight, deep, dark slots, but rather open areas, big views, and an incredible bridge Unique features abound on this one Yellow Brick Road is more of a hike with a few amazing rappels If you are looking for a technically challenging slot fest, look elsewhere Be sure to bring your camera Penny Martens and I first checked out this area back one very dreary winter day in the early 2000s Having spotted Tik-Tok Bridge, we came back t...

Climbing Cleopatra's Chair is something I had wanted to do for a long time The 56 C0 rating made it sound fun, the "shoulder stand" made it sound adventurous True to my impression, it didn't disappoint The route is not for 56 leaders! We avoided the shoulder stand at about 58, but above that move there is a good section of runout climbing A slip would be disastrous, and help a long way off Cleopatra's Chair is a true adventurous desert summit best left to those with a bit of experience The summit is amazing, howeve...

Assembly Hall Peak looms over the San Rafael campground Although the upper pitches are poor quality, the first pitch is really good, and the views from the summit are second to none I know several groups that have bailed from the start of the third pitch It is indeed run-out and looks tricky Those comfortable with desert runouts and sketch factor only!

The Tomsich Butte area mines were started by John Tomsich in 1951 and are steeped in history The area is a plethora of mining ruins, old cars, and even a lonely cabin Mining commenced in the area during the 50's, ending in the late 50's or early 60's Towering over Muddy Creek, Tomsich Butte proper, is a seldom visited summit with a surprisingly moderate route The top provides outstanding views of Hondoo Arch, Muddy Creek, and the area of the Swell south of I-70 The technical climbing is short 5 m, but be warned, th...

Home and Marge is a unique tower, or rather 2 towers than have leaned on each other over time Similar, I assume in the first ascenders mind, to how Home and Marge lean on each other in a symbiotic relationship Not very interesting climbing leads to an amazing summit on a unique feature I recommend this one!