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| | | Heaps Canyon - Zion National Park, UT | | | |
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Heaps Canyon - Zion National Park, UT
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| Canyoneering | 12.90 Miles |
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| | Canyoneering | 12.90 Miles | 2 Days | | |
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| | Advanced Canyoneering - Mix of exposed/aid/complex rope/poor anchor/problem-solving | | B - Up to light current; wading/swimming; possible wet/dry suit | | Risky - Extraordinary risk factors exist; solid skills/judgement reqd; no beginners | | VI - Two or more days |
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| no partners | | We did it!! 
Heaps Canyon, one of the most difficult technical canyons in Zion National Park and formerly in the way too crazy category. Heaps is enormous, deep and dark with frigid water, 25 or so rappels and the possibility of numerous keeper potholes to escape out of. The final rappel sequence is 500' feet in 3 stages, including switching ropes on a small "bird perch" before a 290' completely overhanging rappel into the Emerald Pools.
Day 1 started out with a mellow approach hike through peaceful meadows of wildflowers and had some incredible views of Phantom Valley. Four hours, a traverse along the "fin of death" and a couple of rappels later, we were down to the canyon floor. We had 2 sections of narrows to complete with rappels, downclimbs, logjams and even a crazy jump over a pothole. We made quick work of it and before long we were at the Crossroads, where the canyon opens up a bit and has some sweet sandy spots for camping.
Day 2 started off pretty cold, with the longest narrows section looming ahead. These narrows were amazing! Much more scenic than I was expecting. The walls were tall, sculpted and immense. Often they were glowing orange and green with moss which was simply beautiful. More rappels, logjams to climb, pools, jumps and swims around every bend of the canyon. There was a narrow hallway to swim through filled with thick log soup which I found to be the most difficult obstacle, as it took so much effort just to make a few inches of progress. More rappels and a few hours later we were in the sun and relaxing before the grand finale.
I felt surprisingly calm at the top of the final rappel sequence. Standing in a small nook so high above the ground is a great place to ponder life and feel amazingly alive, which I did a lot of while waiting there as everyone got into sequence. Before long it was my turn, first rappelling 60' down to the anchor that Ben was manning. We worked together to pull and stuff the rope, all the while being attached to a tree precariously hanging off a small ledge. Then 150' more feet down to the bird perch where Dan was stationed, again to switch ropes and triple check everything before continuing on. Then I was on my way down the final 290', enjoying the amazing view and thinking about the huge ice cream cones that awaited us at lodge once were were done. It felt great to touch down on solid ground and then watch the rest of my group come down that huge cliff. Everyone and all ropes made it down safely, many of us receiving applause from the spectators gathered at the Emerald Pools. What a rush, that last drop!
We lucked out and had easy conditions with no major potholes to deal with due to the recent monsoon rains. Even in easy conditions, this is a very physically demanding and difficult canyon as you have to haul yourself up many awkward logjams and potholes, carrying very heavy wet packs and dealing with cold water for hours at a time. I can only imagine how much more difficult it is when you have multiple keeper potholes to deal with. It's an intense canyon but I loved everything about it and am glad it was so much fun with such a great group. All the planning, research, skill and level-headedness they contribute to make trips like this happen without incident never ceases to keep me inspired to be a better canyoneer. And as always with Zion, I can't wait to return.  |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Before long we were at the confluence of South Canyon, where we took the backpacker's route over the dryfall and then stayed in the creek bed for the boulder hop down to the narrows. The redwall narrows of South Canyon were pretty short but very scenic with more good downclimbing. The last chockstone drop had an anchor already set up, and I have to give major props to anyone who can actually downclimb that beast(the log ramp mentioned in Todd Martin's book is gone). Was definitely glad to be wearing a wetsuit as the water in there was extremely cold, although over quickly. Made it to the beach around 2pm where we checked out the Stanton's Cave and Vasey's Paradise (thoroughly enjoyed both). Dirtbagged it that night out under the stars next to the Colorado with the almost-full moon above us. Had some crazy dreams which always seems to happen when sleeping below the rim.
