The Subway in Zion
- Thread starter Ndheiner
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Totally. And remember when we did it that Tim, Jake and Rick never used their harnesses once they were in the actual Subway. They just hand lined down the big ramp and then you only have that last 8-10 foot section at the end to deal with. I just wouldn't recommend it for people who are scared to death of heights or not good with down climbing. Here's a shot of Tim hand lining it.
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Haha. Good luck with that man!
Seldom Seen Anderson
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When I was a young, stupid teenager I did the entire route without the use of a rope just jumped into the pools (I would highly highly not suggest, nor ever attempt it again as that is the cause of the vast majority of SAR. In fact a group that was right behind us tried to jump the first place and someone in their group broke an ankle and was long roped out)
Archbishop
Make ready. Go forward!
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optimist in every group.
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I brought the Subway discussion in the Waterfalls thread to this thread.
You can totally hand line all of the obstacles but I wouldn't recommend it, especially if you haven't been through before and know them well.
There are 4 obstacles in the top down route.
1. The Boulder Jam
I like to rap down into the rabbit hole on this one. It's down-climbable but I find it to be very awkward and you can't see anything. If I wasn't such a big guy, I might better trust people to spot my on it but I don't. A lot of people try to down climb the front of the boulder jam which frequently means a helicopter ride to the emergency room with a broken ankle.
2. The Bowling Alley
Some people rap here but I have no idea why. It's an easy two-stage down climb. Sit on your but, scoot down onto the next ledge, repeat. Now swim through the best swimming section on the entire hike. This shot is looking back towards the down climb but it is not visible. You have to swim under that log to get through.
3. Keyhole Falls
This isn't much higher than the bowling alley. Probably like 12-15 feet? I think it's a bit trickier though because it's overhanging and very, very wet. I hand lined it the first time and cracked something in my knuckle which hurt for like 4 months. I've rapped it since, even if it was just on a 30 foot piece of webbing doubled up.
Some people do the superman trick at Keyhole. There's a little arch right at the drop, they slip a loop of webbing through and almost jump off. The momentum swings them around the corner and into a deep pothole. I think that's a bit dangerous for my liking. It would be a very challenging place to get airlifted out of. Here's a shot of @Lostlandsapes getting ready to do the superman at keyhole. wanderinfinn had just done it.
And a couple of Smokey rapping over Keyhole Falls
And a shot of my wife standing next to it. You can see the arch they swing through. Doesn't look bad does it? But the footing is far from even under that water and varies a lot in depth.
4. The Subway
There's a 30 foot rap right into the part of The Subway that day hikers can access. The first 15-18 feet are pretty easy to walk/scoot down but then there's a 12-15 foot wall at the end. These guys rocked it hand lining but I am a bit more cautious and prefer to rap, just to be safe.
BTW, If all goes to plan, there will be a Backcountry-Fest sometime in May that would involve a trip down The Subway. Keep our eyes peeled on that Meet Up section if you're interested.
You can totally hand line all of the obstacles but I wouldn't recommend it, especially if you haven't been through before and know them well.
There are 4 obstacles in the top down route.
1. The Boulder Jam
I like to rap down into the rabbit hole on this one. It's down-climbable but I find it to be very awkward and you can't see anything. If I wasn't such a big guy, I might better trust people to spot my on it but I don't. A lot of people try to down climb the front of the boulder jam which frequently means a helicopter ride to the emergency room with a broken ankle.
2. The Bowling Alley
Some people rap here but I have no idea why. It's an easy two-stage down climb. Sit on your but, scoot down onto the next ledge, repeat. Now swim through the best swimming section on the entire hike. This shot is looking back towards the down climb but it is not visible. You have to swim under that log to get through.
3. Keyhole Falls
This isn't much higher than the bowling alley. Probably like 12-15 feet? I think it's a bit trickier though because it's overhanging and very, very wet. I hand lined it the first time and cracked something in my knuckle which hurt for like 4 months. I've rapped it since, even if it was just on a 30 foot piece of webbing doubled up.
Some people do the superman trick at Keyhole. There's a little arch right at the drop, they slip a loop of webbing through and almost jump off. The momentum swings them around the corner and into a deep pothole. I think that's a bit dangerous for my liking. It would be a very challenging place to get airlifted out of. Here's a shot of @Lostlandsapes getting ready to do the superman at keyhole. wanderinfinn had just done it.
And a couple of Smokey rapping over Keyhole Falls
And a shot of my wife standing next to it. You can see the arch they swing through. Doesn't look bad does it? But the footing is far from even under that water and varies a lot in depth.
4. The Subway
There's a 30 foot rap right into the part of The Subway that day hikers can access. The first 15-18 feet are pretty easy to walk/scoot down but then there's a 12-15 foot wall at the end. These guys rocked it hand lining but I am a bit more cautious and prefer to rap, just to be safe.
BTW, If all goes to plan, there will be a Backcountry-Fest sometime in May that would involve a trip down The Subway. Keep our eyes peeled on that Meet Up section if you're interested.
wes242
This one time...
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the first 5 times I did this hike I never tried with a harness and the last time we made one out of webbing, a bener, and ATC. It worked well and easy to stuff in a pack.
That is a crazy log jam stuffed in the bowling alley section. The last time I went there was so much sand after KeyHole that you were standing in inches of water..
shoot you can see for yourself here if you want.
That is a crazy log jam stuffed in the bowling alley section. The last time I went there was so much sand after KeyHole that you were standing in inches of water..
shoot you can see for yourself here if you want.
HomerJ
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Thanks for all the info.!!! Repelling gear it is! Then I can assess the obstacles and my own scrambling skills and abilities for another time. I always like to play it safe, especially in slot canyons, when I don't know the terrain. My boss has repelling gear, I'm sure he'd loan me what I need!
Giggity!