Southern Utah Canyoneering

[Aldaron]

It took right at about 24 hours of driving time from northern Alabama. We took I-40 on the way there and I-70 on the way back just to mix it up.

 

[Slot Canyon]

From my home in Birmingham it is almost 1600 miles or nearly 24 hours. You can really begin to make good progress (provided no wrecks) when you get to the point where speed limits are 75 mph. I prefer to have my car (standard drive RAV 4) so I can do some car camping and have gear for canyons and backpacking. I have done all the forks of Leprechaun and a couple of the other similar rated canyons in the area. Also some of the stuff in Arches. Don't feel the need to go up the difficulty scale any more that that.
Aldaron, you are correct....even though the trip had a lot of set backs and was cut short, there were lessons learned and experiences to be remembered. You do not know what you may be able to do until you are challenged.
Be safe out there.

 

[Curt]

A pet project that destroyed our innocence:

http://backcountrypost.com/threads/ticaboo-creek-aka-survivorman-is-a-fake.2818/

http://outsidebynature.com/main/les-stroud-fake/

I remember watching that episode on TV. Wow! Now I'm disappointed.

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

Great report @Aldaron. I hope you and everyone else that might feel the same way, continue to post reports. I personally read every trip report posted here (although sometimes it takes a few days to catch up) and I appreciate every single one. That being said, I think it's to be expected that there will be members that are mostly only interested in discussing their own reports, or only reading reports from their region, or only places they've already been to, or only in discussing gear, etc. People come here for different reasons and I have no problem with that. It all adds traffic which is good for BCP right?

However, I think there's definitely a sizable group of members here (as many of the comments here illustrate) who read pretty much read everyone's reports. So please, keep posting them up for us!

 

[TannerT]

Awesome TR. Your comments make me feel guilty for all the TRs that I haven't posted....yet!! I've love that area and the canyons.
Thanks,

Salud!

 

[canadug]

Great TR! The cow situation could have really sucked. We have come across cows floating (dead) down rivers and one dead one in a canyon.....pretty foul. They are not the smartest creature.

 

[Tres Westbrook]

Don't give up on BCP yet. I've been derelict about posting some of my pissant reports, and I get intimidated when I read some of these reports of awesome trips lasting multiple weeks in places I'll never go (like you I live in Alabama, so can't just pack up the truck for weekend trip in the Utah or Idaho or Wyoming wilderness). But I enjoy reading everyone's reports, even the day trips, which are much more likely for me, and as soon as I get a chance I will try to catch up on my own posts. I just do it for myself. It looks like you had an excellent trip, and I enjoyed reading your report and seeing your photos. As far a I am concerned, everything about southern Utah is good. And if you post reports of trips in the Alabama area, I'll read those too.

 

[DrNed]

Unlike Facebook, one of things that makes BCP so awesome is that the comments and commentators are awesome! There are rarely empty comments here. So when you've done an awesome trip (like this one) and I haven't, it's hard to make a valuable comment, other than "Awesome TR!" and once that's been done 10x it feels phony to make it 11, so it's easier to not comment.

It does take an investment of time (a limited and precious commodity) to write a good report and if your investment doesn't seem to be helping the group, maybe it feels easier not to post. Remember though, they will be searched and studied by those, like me, who are amateurs and need the experience and insights of the grizzled veterans.

Your TR have directly aided my trips - from your help with GPS to your Green River trip. Your data collection on backcountry deaths and shinning the spotlight on Survivor Man are invaluable. For you to leave BCP would be like Paul McCartney leaving The Beatles. If BCP had a Mount Rushmore you'd be there.

So, thanks . . . and keep 'em coming!

By the way, Awesome TR!

 

[Aldaron]

That was very nice...thank you!

 

[blueeyes]

I lurk a lot, especially when I am itching to get out. Nice report.