Birch Hollow, Mystery, Right Fork, and Pine Creek, Zion National Park, UT

Did a few things before blowing the knee: Took a bunch of kids down Birch Hollow, as a start...

Canyoneering, Right Fork, Tom Jones, Trip Report, ZionTom JonesSeptember 4, 2003zion, imlay, Birch Hollow, mystery canyon, right fork, right fork of north creek, right fork canyon, zion canyoneering, canyoneering

Englestead Canyon and Natural Anchors, Zion National Park, UT

On this occasion, we were descending Englestead with several southern Utah locals. Mark "Little Bear" Mallory had invited us down since he had a rope fixed for the first drop.

Spanish Cathedrals and Spain Canyoning

Alicia and I dashed off to Catalonia, on the way to Turkey, for a little touristing in Barcelona and a little canyoning up in the Pirineos with Koen.

Canyoneering, Europe, Tom Jones, Trip ReportTom JonesJune 7, 2003Barcelona, Koen, Pyrenees Mountains, Spain, canyoning, waterfalls, spain

Cheesebox Canyon and Explorations in Robber Roost, UT

And the call went out throughout the Land: Many Days in March, Canyons to be Done, Old Friends and New. Come and enjoy. Bring lots of gear. Gotta do some of those Roost Canyons before the Hordes of the Prophet Kelsey descend upon the desert.

Canyoneering, Robbers Roost, Tom Jones, Trip ReportTom JonesMarch 1, 2003Cheesebox, Steve Brezovic, Steve Ramras, White Roost, robbers roost, canyoneering, canyoneering robbers roost

Anasazi Ruins and Art, Bluff and Blanding, UT

For Valentines, Alicia treated me to a weekend in Bluff and Blanding, visiting with Dave Black and hunting down ruins and artwork. We gathered at Dave Black's house and found Jim Wright in residence, having recently "retired".

Ruins & Art, Tom JonesTom JonesFebruary 15, 2003Blanding, Bluff, Butler Wash, Dave Black, Horse Collar Ruin, Jim Wright, Natural Bridges National Park, Procession Panel, Sipapu Bridge, Anasazi art, anasazi, ruins, petroglyphs, pictographs

Downclimbing Hidden Canyon, Zion National Park

Ram said: "It's good, otta do it."

Hank said: "I'm in."

Canyoneering, Tom Jones, Trip Report, ZionTom JonesFebruary 9, 2003hidden canyon, zion, canyoneering, zion canyoneering, hidden, downclimbing

The Subway Canyoneering Route and Russell Gulch, Zion National Park, UT

A late fall weekend. Zion beckoned. Rain in the forecast.

Canyoneering, The Subway, Tom Jones, Trip Report, ZionTom JonesOctober 26, 2002canyoneering Subway, Left Fork of North Creek, Subway Canyon, subway zion, the subway

Right Fork of North Creek, Zion National Park, UT

Back down to Zion for another grand trip with the Big Crew. We had quite a posse heading into the Right Fork of North Creek, but decided to break into squads to check out various entries.

Canyoneering, Tom Jones, Trip Report, ZionTom JonesOctober 19, 2002Barrier Falls, Grand Alcove, Right Fork, Right Fork of North Creek, Steve Ramras, zion, zion canyoneering, canyoneering

Canyoneering in Capitol Reef: Cottonwood and Five Mile Canyons

We drew the long straw, and got to do the famed Cottonwood / Five Mile loop with Sir Ram.

Canyoneering, Capitol Reef, Tom Jones, Trip ReportTom JonesOctober 12, 2002Alicia Scotter, Cottonwood Canyon, Five Mile Canyon, Steve Ramras, capital reef

Canyoneering Festival: San Rafael Swell

About 30 intrepid canyoneers turned out for a weekend of gnats, canyons and sunshine. Many new techniques were shared, new friends made, faces connected with email names, and good times had.

Canyoneering, San Rafael Swell, Tom Jones, Trip ReportTom JonesMay 3, 2002Hidden Splendor, Quandary Direct, Quandary Direct Canyon, Squeeze Swell, The Squeeze, the swell, san Rafael swell, canyoneering

Blue John Canyon, Robbers Roost, UT

Saturday, a trip through Lower Squeeze was delightful and uneventful. Sunday was a day for Blue John Canyon. Ram gave us the beta and we headed over, starting at an incredibly crapped-out cowboy camp just off the Hans Flat road.

Canyoneering, Robbers Roost, Tom Jones, Trip ReportTom JonesApril 14, 2002Alicia Scotter, Blue John Canyon, Bluejohn Canyon, Hank Moon, robbers roost, canyoneering, canyoneering robbers roost

One Nasty Ass Slot Canyon, Escalante, UT

The man with the white hands denies responsibility for all that occurs on our last day in the Escalante, when fate had ordained our encounter with the dreaded canyon, Nasty Ass.

Canyoneering, Escalante, Tom Jones, Trip ReportTom JonesMarch 15, 2002Nasty Ass Slot, escalante, escalante canyoneering, Escalante National Monument, canyoneering in Escalante

Kaleidoscope Canyon (Choprock Canyon), Escalante, UT

Another morning, another early start, another day humping the pack through some wonderful terrain. Today’s objective was the mysterious Moe Slot, an unusual find I had not heard of before. It promised cold swims, strenuous climbing and beautiful sandstone slots.

Canyoneering, Escalante, Tom Jones, Trip Report, Tom's First VisitTom JonesMarch 13, 2002Choprock Canyon, Chopslot, Moe Slot, escalante, Escalante canyoneering, canyoneering, Kaleidoscope Canyon

Neon Canyon and the Golden Cathedral, Escalante, UT

After a quick descent of E2, we realize we have enough time to pack up, make the walk down to Fence Canyon, and set up camp for a little more adventuring. After a quick hike and a brief evening scotch-and-storytelling session, we set the alarm clock for dawn.

Canyoneering, Escalante, Tom Jones, Trip ReportTom JonesMarch 12, 2002Escalante River, Mike Dallin, Neon Canyon, Steve Ramras, golden cathedral, the golden cathedral

Egypt Two, Escalante, UT. Natural Anchors, Water, and Downclimbing

Made the dash to the Escalante... First on the agenda: Egypt Two. Yeah, you've driven by it a dozen times. It looks interesting, but if it's not in the bible...

Canyoneering, Escalante, Tom Jones, Trip Report, Tom's First VisitTom JonesMarch 11, 2002canyoneering in Escalante, Egypt 2, Egypt Canyon, Egypt Two, Escalante canyoneering, Escalante National Monument, canyoneering, steve ramras

Death Canyon, North Wash, UT

Death sits on the map just north of Turkey Knob, and looks like it might be interesting. But not too interesting, as it turned out.

Canyoneering, Exploration, North Wash, Tom Jones, Trip ReportTom JonesMarch 10, 2002Alicia Scotter, Death Canyon, Mike Dallin, North Wash, Steve Ramras, canyoneering, north wash canyoneering

Shenanigans Canyon, North Wash, UT

We decided to start the week with a canyon we had looked into recently, but had not explored the upper part of. Unfortunately (maybe), jumping into canyons in this area can be dangerous, and we almost re-created our friends' experience in Sandthrax last fall.