canyondad
Todo List
Moab
San Rafael Swell
Zion & SW Utah
Tick List
Das Boot - Zion West Side
Date: 05/09/2025
Full route, group size of six. Four of us in our 40s-50s + two whippersnappers. 14 hours car-to-car: 4 for the approach, .5 to suit up, 5.5 technical portion, .5 to un-suit, 3 to exit. Brutal approach and exit. Absolutely exhausting, but a stunningly perfect, gorgeous day. The canyon was in stellar conditions - clear, full, and flowing. I was comfy in 6mm. A body-fat-challenged member of our group was shivering most of the canyon in 5mm. Do not underestimate the physical stamina required. 3L of water minimum. Ryan's GPX is absolutely necessary for the approach. There is no "social trail" once you leave the Subway approach route, and you WILL waste time and energy bushwhacking and backtracking if you do not follow his route precisely.
Full route, group size of six. Four of us in our 40s-50s + two whippersnappers. 14 hours car-to-car: 4 for the approach, .5 to suit up, 5.5 technical portion, .5 to un-suit, 3 to exit. Brutal approach and exit. Absolutely exhausting, but a stunningly perfect, gorgeous day. The canyon was in stellar conditions - clear, full, and flowing. I was comfy in 6mm. A body-fat-challenged member of our group was shivering most of the canyon in 5mm. Do not underestimate the physical stamina required. 3L of water minimum. Ryan's GPX is absolutely necessary for the approach. There is no "social trail" once you leave the Subway approach route, and you WILL waste time and energy bushwhacking and backtracking if you do not follow his route precisely.
MMI Canyon - Arches National Park
Date: 02/16/2018
I realize I'm in the minority here, but I was quite disappointed with MMI. After having done (and loved) Granary and Morning Glory Arch (both rated 4 stars), I was excited to try MMI (rated here as 3.67). The cost to benefit ratio simply wasn't there. ~3 hour round trip from Moab, plus the time to set up a shuttle. First rap was a nuisance, the second was really an assisted downclimb, third rap was fine but not particularly special. The short, "climber's" exit is a misnomer, since it implies the ability to set up protection, e.g. provide belay support for one another. "Spiderman" exit would be more accurate. You're zig-zagging across a sheer, steep sandstone face. Absolutely dry conditions with sticky shoes are imperative. The views inside the canyon are nice but nothing especially unique. I hear Lost & Found is better.
I realize I'm in the minority here, but I was quite disappointed with MMI. After having done (and loved) Granary and Morning Glory Arch (both rated 4 stars), I was excited to try MMI (rated here as 3.67). The cost to benefit ratio simply wasn't there. ~3 hour round trip from Moab, plus the time to set up a shuttle. First rap was a nuisance, the second was really an assisted downclimb, third rap was fine but not particularly special. The short, "climber's" exit is a misnomer, since it implies the ability to set up protection, e.g. provide belay support for one another. "Spiderman" exit would be more accurate. You're zig-zagging across a sheer, steep sandstone face. Absolutely dry conditions with sticky shoes are imperative. The views inside the canyon are nice but nothing especially unique. I hear Lost & Found is better.
Comments
Das Boot - Zion West Side
Date: 2025-05-11
Comment: Full route, group size of six. Four of us in our 40s-50s + two whippersnappers. 14 hours car-to-car:...
Cassidy Arch Canyon - Capitol Reef
Date: 2024-06-01
Comment: Ran Cassidy Arch solo on 5/31 from Grand Wash trailhead due to Scenic Dr. closure. 5.5 hours round t...
Granary Canyon - Moab
Date: 2022-03-21
Comment: It would appear that the Canyon Goddess removes more than just webbing from canyons. She also remove...
U-Turn Canyon - Arches National Park
Date: 2021-04-19
Comment: Looks like 17 months by my count, not ten years... but besides that, great info on taking kids throu...
Granary Canyon - Moab
Date: 2020-09-21
Comment: Having done Granary twice myself, I'm intrigued by your comment. The full route has many rappels of ...
Lost and Found Canyon - Arches National Park
Date: 2020-06-15
Comment: Except when it has been raining/snowing and the sandstone is wet. Then *no one* should do the climb-...
Granary Canyon - Moab
Date: 2019-10-03
Comment: Melissamw25, I'm not sure who decreed you Canyon Goddess and Remover of All Webbing. I agree with sk...
Peekaboo-Spooky-Brimstone Canyons - Hole In The Rock
Date: 2019-06-28
Comment: , my bad! Yes, a member of our group had the Road Trip Ryan App and the combined beta and navigation...
Peekaboo-Spooky-Brimstone Canyons - Hole In The Rock
Date: 2019-06-27
Comment: Highly recommend navigation tools, like AllTrails.com's app. There are trails everywhere, making the...
MMI Canyon - Arches National Park
Date: 2018-03-01
Comment: I realize I'm in the minority here, but I was quite disappointed with MMI. After having done (and lo...
Medieval Chamber - Moab
Date: 2017-02-28
Comment: February 25, 2017 - Beautiful day! The trailhead was less apparent than I thought it would be for a...
Granary Canyon - Moab
Date: 2017-02-25
Comment: Spectacular canyon, especially Lower Granary. We took 4-wheelers up Long Canyon Rd. (short approach)...