North
Wash
- Blarney Canyon
- Shimrock Canyon
- Lavar Canyon
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to Trip Index
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| Cost: |
2 Day - $425/person
3 Day - $585/person |
| Plus 7.75% Utah
sales tax. Two person minimum. 10% discount for groups of three or more. 15% discount for returning guests. |
For
each one-way
Flight Option add: |
2 people: $125/person
3 people: $85/person
4 people: $125/person
5 people: $100/person
6 people: $85/person
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Length: 2 to 3 days roundtrip from
Moab (includes 4 hours round-trip driving time). Trips depart at
7:00 AM day one and return approximately 8:00 PM the last day
(unless you choose to fly to the canyon - see sidebar below) .
Season: All year
| Canyon Details |
Blarney Canyon
(Day One - AM) |
Difficulty: Moderate
Rappels: 2 - (40ft/12m, 40ft/12m)
Climbing: Many "fourth class" and "fifth
class"downclimbs up to 20ft/6m. Ropes may be used for
handlines or belays. Most downclimbs are in very tight
chimneys which are secure, but akward. This canyon has many
non-stop sections of great obstacles! See
FAQ for descriptions of the
various "classes" of climbing.
Total Distance: 4mi/6km
Total Ascent/Descent: 420ft/128m
Min & Max Elevation: 4550ft/1387m &
4810ft/1466m |
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Lavar Canyon
(Day One - PM) |
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Rappels: 2 - (40ft/12m, 40ft/12m)
Climbing: Very few significant downclimbs, but
a fair bit of easy stemming and chimneying to stay dry. It's
very easy if you don't mind getting your feet wet (ie, no
stemming or chimneying). Ropes for handlines and lowering
packs are not necessary. Good, casual, clean fun!
Total Distance: 1mi/.6km
Total Ascent/Descent: 200ft/60m |
|
Shimrock
Canyon
(Day Two) |
Difficulty: Difficult
Rappels: 2 - (20ft/6m, 15ft/5m)
Climbing: Many, many, many "fourth class"
and "fifth class"downclimbs up to 20ft/6m. Ropes
may be used for handlines or belays. Most downclimbs are in
absurdly tight chimneys which are both absurd and tight.
Yahoo!! See FAQ for descriptions
of the various "classes" of climbing.
Total Distance: 5mi/8km
Total Ascent/Descent: 640ft/195m
Min & Max Elevation: 4570ft/1393m &
5010ft/1527m |
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| Scenic
Backcountry Flights to and from the canyons |
You may want to
fly into these canyons considering their lengthy driving distance
from Moab as well as the incredible beauty of the landscape viewed
from above. We work with Redtail
Aviation at Canyonlands Airport to provide these shuttle
flights. There are fantastic backcountry airstrips near these
canyons which offer very scenic, quick access.
For
each one-way
Flight Option add: |
2 people: $125/person
3 people: $85/person
4 people: $125/person
5 people: $100/person
6 people: $85/person
|
|
Flights are scheduled to depart at
approximately 8:00 AM the first day and 6:00 PM the last day. You
can choose to fly both to and from the canyons, or you can fly just
one leg - either to or from - and drive with us the other leg. The
price listed above is per person and for one leg direct to the
canyons. Obviously, double the price if you choose to fly both legs.
Keep in mind these are non-scheduled charter flights, so the
plane is essentially yours. You may choose to extend the flight if
you wish, either to fly over different areas (Canyonlands National
Park, for example) or to fly to a connecting airport such as Grand
Junction, CO or Salt Lake City, UT. Advance notice is required for
large diversions. The price listed above is for relatively direct
flights (about one hour) between Moab and the canyons. Longer
diversions may cost more.
These flights are incredible. Consider them to be the delicious
appetizer and rich dessert to an already amazing canyon feast. While
they do add to the cost, you definitely get what you pay for - and
then some!
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This two day canyoneering trip into the canyons of North
Wash offers a whirlwind combination of amazing slot canyon hikes. Each
canyon builds upon the previous in grandeur and difficulty. It's about
the most action-packed two day trip anywhere! While Blarney Canyon,
and it's nearby "big brother" Shimrock Canyon,
showcase some of the narrowest slots in the deserts of Utah, the short
but sweet Lavar Canyon adds an easygoing finishing touch.
Blarney is a first-class slot canyon, period. It is shorter and
more casual than Shimrock and offers a great first day warmup to the
following day's rigors of "Shim." Blarney's charm begins
immediately after leaving the vehicle. Switchbacking our way up an
immense dome of Navajo sandstone, the distant views get more dramatic
with each step. Most notably to the west loom the volcanic Henry
Mountains, or simply - the "Henrys." Long considered to last
of the named and explored U.S. mountain ranges, these 11,000 foot peaks
were originally named the Unknown Mountains by John Wesley Powell during
his pioneering 1869 exploration of the nearby Colorado River and Grand
Canyon. Never one to pass up a great river trip with buddies, Powell
retraced his route in 1871. It was at this time, much to the chagrin of
longtime local Mr. Jeremiah Unknown, Powell renamed the range after then
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute Joseph Henry.
Upon reaching the top of our ascent of the formidable
Navajo domes, the approach hike quickly levels out and our fine views of
the Henrys get more of the attention they deserve. Further to the south
is Trachyte Point, an impressive uplift of even more Navajo sandstone
overlooking the take-out for Cataract Canyon raft trips. Before long we
reach the head of Blarney Canyon and the first rappel. And what a nice
one it is. If you've never rappelled before, no worries. It's easy,
short, secure and with a nice gradual "transition" from flat
ground to vertical. Around the corner, however, "the slot"
awaits. Out comes the body armor...
You'll quickly learn to love the body armor we provide - basically
kneepads and, for truly desperate times, elbow pads. They will save you
a lot of skin over the next couple days and you'll likely want yours
bronzed afterwards! Chimney after chimney is encountered, all of which
are great fun with plenty of "problem solving." There's even
another rappel buried somewhere in the midst of this madness! At any one
of the two spots in the slot where its wide enough to relax, a
well-deserved lunch appears. Eventually we slither our way back out to
sunshine and reaffirm that Life is good.
This is a fantastic slot and really gets this
trip started off on the right foot. While these slots can be serious
work - they are serious fun! And Blarney is just the beginning.
As the afternoon lingers on we begin to feel the pull of a
comfortable camp, a nice dinner and a relaxing evening under the stars.
However, since Blarney is a relatively short canyon hike and we're full
of energy (it is our first day out, after all...), the idea of
another short hike is often entertained. So we're looking for what's
commonly called an "after dinner" hike; one of a relatively
short, casual nature close to camp which can be completed in an hour or
so. Lavar Canyon, situated just footsteps from camp, is a most
attractive prospect!
Speaking of prospects, Blarney, Shimrock and Lavar are located in a
region rich in mining history. Gold, silver, coal, vanadium, uranium,
unameit - it's been mined. Lavar Canyon particularly contains some
fascinating remnants of the good ol' days. Broken down water flumes and
decrepit bridges cling to the canyon walls far above. Oh how the miners
of yesteryear must have cursed this rugged place for the difficulties it
gave them in their search for riches. It's interesting to think that
today we've come to value most that which brought the pioneers so much
trouble.
Within a stone's throw of our camp chairs are the two
rappels into Lavar Canyon. We'll stay dry on the first as it takes us
from the canyon rim to the intermediate canyon floor. Here we find
ourselves within a heavily vegetated, shallow gorge through which a
small creek serenely flows. Almost immediately is the second rappel (aka
"Million Dollar Drop"), cascading steeply - along with the
water - into the very bottom depths of this little gem. On a hot day,
the refreshing spray of water is heavenly. No sense in rushing
downcanyon after unclipping from the rope, either. Linger awhile and
absorb the water and surroundings. Let the sand and dust from the day's
earlier jaunt through Blarney wash away. Then continue on when good and
ready, for camp is close and we've nowhere to be anyway.
The hike out the remainder of Lavar Canyon is within an impressive
stint of tight narrows yet has no significant obstacles. You can even
hike up to the bottom of Million Dollar Drop via the lower end of the
canyon from camp, thus avoiding the rappels. This makes for a great area
to explore on your own in the late afternoon / early evening hours while
the guides prepare dinner. With the tranquil sounds of water always
present, there are several idyllic places to relax, enjoy snacks and a
drink, read a book, take a nap... Rest up now, for tomorrow promises a
grand adventure.
Take Blarney Canyon and stretch it a fair bit length-wise and
squeeze it quite a bit more width-wise. That's Shimrock
Canyon for you. Twice as long, half as wide, five times harder and
ten times funner! It is both abusing and amusing - a.k.a. Abusement!
This is one of the most amazing slot canyons around due to the
incredibly sustained nature of the very tight narrows.
As you've likely observed throughout this website, most
trip descriptions are liberally peppered with praise. Even the notorious
Medieval Chamber, despite its name, is described in glowing terms.
However, Shimrock Canyon (think about that name for a second)
merits a well-deserved caution. It is very, very narrow. While this
canyon is 100% "off-the-charts" fun, it is definitely not a
good place for severe claustrophobes or heavy set folks. Most of the
time it's wide enough for anyone, but traversing a couple spots within
this beauty are akin to sliding under your bed (vertically oriented, of
course, and without the monsters). If you want something a bit wider or
less physical for day two there are plenty of fabulous options (see
below), but for now, let's talk about Shimrock.
Being Blarney's brother, Shim shares kindred qualities. Views of
the Henrys dominate the approach, which is a touch longer and a little
more demanding. The early morning light casts delightful shadows across
the sea of polished Navajo domes. Off to our right, and way down there,
lies the ensuing action. It lingers in our peripheral view for the
better part of the hour-long approach. The deep, dark slot somehow both
tempts and terrifies. Fortunately the former overwhelms the latter and
we quickly find ourselves at the head of the canyon. Having hiked
Blarney the day before we know the rote drill - packs off, body armor
on. Check.
The abusement is relentless. It's a rare day (or night,
perhaps) where you work this hard and yet have so much fun. Obstacle
after obstacle present us with hours of delightful problem-solving
entertainment. Shim is a brilliant natural puzzle requiring physical and
mental adaptability and improvisation. Teamwork is key as we go deeper
into its maw. The slot is often so narrow that you cannot pass one
another without having to chimney up and over. In such confined places,
the right sequence of gear, packs and even people makes an enormous
difference in determining the difficulty of each obstacle. Like Muzak on
an elevator, the near constant dull roar of scraping packs, pads and
pants becomes so familiar that it eventually goes unnoticed. Only during
frequent rests in this seeming otherworld does the silence become
startling. Life is really good.
What about the rappels, you ask? Well, there are a couple of short
rappels lurking here and there, however, they have no choice but to
yield the spotlight to the endless fantastic chimneys. Be assured,
grasshopper, you will attain black-belt "chimney master"
status by the end of this two day trip...
No visit to the North Wash area seems quite complete without the
short stroll to a nearby pictograph panel appropriately named "Cleopatra."
This beautiful rock art is from the Archaic Indians which inhabited the
area as long as 6,000 years ago. Nearly as awesome is her surroundings -
an enormous sandstone alcove. It's a wonderful spot to reflect upon
ancient cultures and a couple of days that were very, very well spent.
We could conclude two very spectacular days of canyoneering here by
calling it quits and heading back to Moab. Scenic flights from a nearby
airstrip or a couple hours on the highway will get us there. However,
for those who just can't get enough of these canyons we can offer an
additional day or more to this itinerary. Though visiting the above
three canyons in two days will satisfy most, there are many other
fantastic slots in the area so trip lengths can easily vary depending on
your group's desire. Endless Possibilities! |
