Quandary Canyon | San Rafael Swell

Canyoneering Quandary Canyon - San Rafael Swell Canyoneering Quandary Canyon

San Rafael Swell

Overview

Wed Sunny. High near 67, with temperatures falling to around 63 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 14 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.
67° | 47°
Thu Sunny, with a high near 62. West northwest wind around 12 mph.
62° | 38°
Fri Sunny, with a high near 67.
67° | 39°
Sat Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
68° | 45°
Sun A chance of rain showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
62° | 44°
SEASON: Late Spring through Early Fall
GEAR: 50 m rope, pothole escape gear.
RAPPELS: 2-7 to 20 m ( 66 ft. )
WATER: Generally quite a bit. Wetsuit recommended even in the hottest times of the year.
FLASHFLOOD: Moderate.
Wed Sunny. High near 67, with temperatures falling to around 63 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 14 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.
67° | 47°
Thu Sunny, with a high near 62. West northwest wind around 12 mph.
62° | 38°
Fri Sunny, with a high near 67.
67° | 39°
Sat Partly sunny, with a high near 68.
68° | 45°
Sun A chance of rain showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
62° | 44°
Open area after the first slot
Open area after the first slot

Quandary Canyon is one of the San Rafael Swell classic canyons. It offers great scenery while giving the adventurous a chance to try their hands at pothole escapes and creative natural anchors. A bypass is available to avoid dealing with the keeper potholes, but if you are doing Quandary, the direct section through the potholes is the recommended way. It makes the canyon, and is one of the most beautiful sections.

Because of the potholes, and anchors, a minimum group size of 3 is recommended, as well as having pothole escape skills and good natural anchor skills. Most potholes yield fairly easily to a good pack toss, but a cheater stick with a hook on it could also be useful. A hook can also be useful for one tricky downclimb in the pothole section as an anchor.

Looking back on one of the keepers
Looking back on one of the keepers

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