Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Fall Trip Through the Narrows

I led another Scout group through the Zion Narrows. The Backcountry Ranger told me we had better all have wet suits due to abnormally high and cold water. A bit overkill in my opinion. We wore pretty standard clothing and were certainly chilled early on, but things warmed up nicely.

If you can manage the colder temps, mid October really might me the best time for the Narrows. Fall colors were again off the charts.

Enjoy the pics:

























































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12 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 16, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    So you didn't take drysuits, even though the ranger suggested it? I'm glad it worked out for you and boys, but it seems odd to set that example for your Scouts.

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  2. TK421November 16, 2011 at 7:20 PM

    If none of us had ever done the Narrows before, then I suppose you could say I was negligent by ignoring the rangers. I find the rangers are sometimes overly cautious--and with good reason--people get in over their heads in Zion nearly every day. But most are tourists that underestimate the extremes of Zion.

    We live a stone's throw from Zion, and everyone in our group knew what to expect. As the group's leader, I made sure everyone was prepared--there are more economical ways to deal with moderately cold water than expensive dry/wet suit rentals. Some in the group (including myself) had done this hike on the exact same weekend 2 years ago with identical weather and temps.

    This reminds me. There was one other group that went through the Narrows that day. They got about a 1 hour head start on us. As I watched them pass our camp near the trailhead, I figured they were from out of the area since they had the ranger-recommended "Narrows kit" from Zion Adventure Co. complete with dry pants, 5.10 Canyoneer shoes, and those silly wooden walking sticks. We passed them near Deep Creek, and they were barely moving and clearly not enjoying the experience. I hope they had headlamps because they were not going to get before dark. I'm sure they were better off with the fancy gear, but it was mostly their inexperience in river hiking that had overwhelmed them.

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  3. AnonymousNovember 17, 2011 at 6:17 AM

    If someone in your group got hurt, you would legally be considered negligent for disobeying the ranger and could be sued for damages personally.
    Utah is famous for preventable deadly Scout accidents, from forest fires to tragic bear encounters (tragic for the bear, that is).
    You set a terrible example for your troops.

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  4. bodhijoeNovember 17, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    Hi TK421--What date did you do your hike? (October or November?) You got some great snaps of the fall colors! I'm trying to plan a fall hike for next year. Looks like you all had a great day.

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  5. TK421November 17, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    Sorry, experience trumps a recommendation from a ranger in my book.

    True, many scouts have died in Utah, although I've never heard of any being killed by a bear or, uh, forest fires was it?

    Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. TK421November 17, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    Thanks Bodhijoe. For every decent shot I got there are about 5 blurry ones. With the sun at such a low angle this time of year, very little light gets down in there. Take a tripod if you can. We hiked it on October 22nd, and arguably, we were about 1 week too late for peak fall color, but it was still good. Two years ago during the same week, it was absolutely perfect.

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  7. Tim LundinNovember 18, 2011 at 6:19 AM

    @Anonymous... stop being a ninny and enjoy the pictures.

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  8. AnonymousNovember 18, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    Color me envious! Looks like a super day and good temps. Yes it is very dark in there - tripod is big but sometimes you can lean against a canyon wall or rock for some stability.

    Please don't mock the ZAC-equipped tourists too much. If you don't what you're doing, better to be over equipped, and the wooden poles are not nearly so silly as trying to walk that canyon with no support!
    -mojave_geek

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  9. ENovember 18, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    I find the stick useful, but then I normally hike with a single sick anyway, so I'm accustomed to that and can use it properly.

    Great pictures. I went in September 2? years ago and really want to go back. No clunky 5-10 canyoneers ever again, though. I finally found an all fabric boot that I like so I'll stick with just the neoprene socks and the hiking pole, thanks!

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  10. TK421November 18, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    I hear ya Mojave, a pole is a must. ZAC's "broomsticks" just look a little funny every time I see them. A collapsible trekking or even a x-country ski pole is lighter, easier on hand/wrists, and more versatile (I like to keep mine packed and collapsed until the Deep Creek confluence).

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  11. Nick WilkesNovember 22, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    Nice pics, great thread here. I worked as an outfitter for a couple seasons at Zion Adventure Company and had the distinct pleasure of seeing ALL KINDS of people/groups come through our doors, each with their own approach to The Narrows. I've seen two guys zoom the Through-Hike in four hours in nothing but Speedo swimming suits and water socks, and older couples who feel like The Narrows is too intimidating, even with a guide. I think it's bold for anyone to state with any authority what someone "needs" in The Narrows... it's different for everyone. Seems totally reasonable for a large, prepared Scout group to go without gear, as long as they can manage the possibility of an injury, etc.

    Regarding the walking sticks, they certainly are heavy duty. Is that why they look funny to you, TK? They are the only things that stand up to the abuse people impose on them in The Narrows, however, so we stick with them. And we have seen SO MANY people return with bent/snapped/lost expensive trekking poles, it's arguably a good idea to leave your nice poles at home and use a fat walking stick, or perhaps an old ski pole, instead. Even if you look funny. :)

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  12. TK421November 23, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    Funny because they're heavy duty? No. Funny just because they look funny to me, but I get why ZAC uses them. No big deal. I can't really talk, this time through I wore cycling tights and skull cap, purple poly gloves from the dollar store, some horrendous cycling glasses, and tan desert gaitors -- I looked goofier than anyone in the canyon.

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