Das Boot | Zion West Side

Canyoneering Das Boot - Zion West Side Canyoneering Das Boot

Zion West Side

Overview

Sat A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9am, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
51° | 41°
Sun Rain before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 45. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
45° | 42°
Mon Sunny, with a high near 46.
46° | 33°
Tue Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
52° | 32°
Wed Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.
50° | 36°
RATING: 3B
SEASON: Spring, Summer, Fall
GEAR: Standard Technical Gear, Moderate Navigation (Pothole escape gear if doing the full route)
RAPPELS: 2+ to 11 m ( 37 ft. )
WATER: Much. Wetsuits required any time.
FLASHFLOOD: High
Sat A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9am, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
51° | 41°
Sun Rain before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 45. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
45° | 42°
Mon Sunny, with a high near 46.
46° | 33°
Tue Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.
52° | 32°
Wed Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.
50° | 36°
The standard pass and higher das boot one.
The standard pass and higher das boot one.

Das Boot, an absolute Zion classic! Deep, dark, convoluted narrows, long swims, and a relatively easy approach, this one is a must do. "Standard" Das Boot is often done as an extension to the Subway. For a competent group, this only adds an hour or so to the regular Subway from the top route and is highly recommended, though you will need full wetsuits for Das Boot even in the hottest part of the summer. I would not recommend doing the standard Das Boot by itself. The approach and exit would take away quite a bit of the fun.

Wait! While standard Das Boot is a nice addition to the Subway, there is an alternate entry that makes Das Boot a fairly good day on its own. This is considered Upper Left Fork of Great West Canyon, or an extended Das Boot, and takes about 5-7 hours on its own, without adding the Subway. The extended version is by far my recommendation. It doesn't require a car shuttle, and gives plenty of time for enjoying the canyon without feeling pressed for time. The permit is also typically easier to get than a Subway permit.

Note: If doing Das Boot as part of the Subway, it does require you have a Subway permit to continue down stream past Russell Gulch. If you just have a Das Boot permit, you must exit at Russell Gulch and back to the Wildcat trailhead. If doing Das Boot as part of the Subway, read up on the Subway description.
The beautiful start of the upper section - Das Boot - Zion
The beautiful start of the upper section - Das Boot - Zion
Beautiful angles in Das Boot
Beautiful angles in Das Boot

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