Tagged | technical potholes

Technical Potholes

The "Keepers" of the desert

Advanced Skills Required

Technical potholes require serious skill! These canyons should be reserved for experienced canyoneers that understand pack tosses, shoulder stands, floating pack assists, and all the other tricks of the trade for dealing with potholes.

Shoulder stand escape

Cristina escaping a relatively easy keeper with a shoulder stand.

What is a pothole?

The best comparison is to imagine a 12+ foot deep swimming pool without any exit ladders. How would you get out?

Full of Water?

Swim to the edge and mantle out. Easy-peasy.

Empty?

Maybe you can create a human pyramid to get the first man out and have them throw a rope down.

1/2 Full?

You'll be treading water until you drown unless you have a plan before you get in!

Technical Geology

Learn about the formation of keeper potholes from the Utah Geological Survey.

View Geology Article

Pothole escape skills are best learned from an experienced canyoneer or professional instruction. Potshot tosses and swimming assists have served me best.

Pothole canyons vary in difficulty GREATLY depending on water level. Be sure you have the skills for the worst possible water level, because you never know what the level will be until you reach it.

Capitol Reef Escalante & Bryce Lake Powell North Wash Robbers Roost San Rafael Swell Zion & SW Utah

Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef is a diverse destination. Many short park trails and scenic drives make for great family fun, while some technical canyoneering adventures keep the more adventurous entertained.

Escalante & Bryce

Escalante area is likely best known for its stunning backpacking opportunities. There are also plenty of hiking and canyoneering adventures. This makes a great spring and fall destination and would take a lifetime to fully explore.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is unique in the world with miles and miles of exquisite boating. Beyond the boating, however, are some of the most stunning canyoneering and hiking adventures on the Colorado Plateau.

North Wash

Canyoneering is king in North Wash, and likely the reason most visit. North Wash canyons tend to be short, narrow, and physical. This is the place to bring long sleeves and long pants. With easy access, next to the highway, this makes a good choice for groups.

Robbers Roost

The Roost is a very remote area of south eastern Utah. Canyoneering adventures in Robbers Roost tend to be fairly dry, and have long exits. The area was used in the late 1800's and early 1900's by outlaws, hence the name.

San Rafael Swell

My favorite area in Utah, the San Rafael Swell offers excellent camping, hiking, canyoneering, and rock climbing. For solitude and amazing views, this is the place to go.

Zion & SW Utah

Quite possibly the canyoneering capital in the US, Zion offers canyoneering, climbing, and hiking among towering sandstone walls. The park itself is a destination, but within a short distance of the park are many additional wonders to be visited.