Alcatraz starts like a Mountain Dew commercial, with a 50 m rappel off your car bumper With such a dramatic start, it is hard to imagine the canyon getting any better or more adventurous, but it does! Aside from the go-big-or-go-home entrance rappel, the rest of the canyon is a deep, dark, sinuous slot The canyons name comes from a group Scott Patterson and Michael Kelsey that were descending the slot As the narrows began growing tighter and tighter, they were unsure they could finish the canyon Mike led a particul...

A short canyon, with big views Smokestack is a canyon you do more for the approach and exit hikes than for the actual canyon The approach winds its way up an improbable gully to the top of Meeks Mesa using a circuitous route locals have often used in the past to reach the mesa top The views from the mesa are stunning of the Aquarius Plateau to the south, Thousand Lake Mountain, and the Waterpocket Fold After taking in the views, Smokestack is descended to Chimney Rock canyon, and the ever lovely Chimney Rock canyon...

Tucked high above Hickman Bridge, Stegosaur Slot offers a short narrow section of canyon with an amazing approach The views along the approach are stunning, and the route up offers just enough route finding challenge to be fun The canyon is named after a distinctive ridgeline that defines the skyline above the canyon I had poked around this area years ago, and when I recently heard of a new canyon being done called Stegosaur Slot, I immediately knew the general area It is a very distinctive landmark The route descr...

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!

Dairy Canyon is not a destination canyon, but if you are in the area it makes for a great family friendly outing The canyon can be hiked up from the bottom by all in a short hour or so as an out and back to an impassable dry fall Though short, it visits a lovely section of canyon and is easily accessible from Richfield Technical canyoneers can follow the rim of the canyon and descend through a short narrows, rappel the dryfall, and amble back to the car in likely an hour or less The short approach, straightforward ...

Pine Creek has to be the most popular technical canyon in Zion It is a truly amazing canyon, and well worth the popularity it has attained The canyon has a half a dozen rappels, but all are straight forward It is a good introduction to Zion canyoneering, and suitable to all groups with competent leadership The middle section is cavern-like and sublime If you are only going to do one canyon in Zion, this is the one I would recommend It can be busy, but offers many opportunities to pass slower parties if needed Note:...

Have a couple of hours to kill in North Wash Done all the classics Looking for a casual evening route Want something new Death is for you! A short approach, leads to a short entrada slot canyon, with a 10 m rappel Although not a destination, it is a fun little canyon The short approach and ease make this one that I have done a number of times as an "on-the-way-home" type adventure It is also one of my "intro-to-canyoneering" type outings, and I know several of my friends have done the same