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ACA Canyon Rating System American Canyon Association

NOTE: Ratings refer to descents in normal conditions, during what is considered the normal season for the canyon. Adverse conditions, such as higher than normal water volume or colder temperatures, will increase the difficulty of the descent.

Technical Canyoneering

Never enter a semi-technical or technical canyon without the knowledge and skills needed to safely explore and return. Many technical canyons, such as Das Boot, also require gps skills or excellent map reading skills. Remember slot canyons can change dramatically in a short time due to flash floods and water levels in this canyon change. Be prepared for variations in the canyon.

Directions to Zion National Park From the North: Travel I-15 south, past Beaver. Exit on Hwy 20. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take SR-9 to Zion's east entrance. From Arizona: Travel US-89A through Fredonia, Arizona and Kanab Utah. Follow US-89 to Mount Carmel Junction. Take SR-9 to the east park entrance. From the South: Travel I-15 north. Take exit 16 and travel through Hurricane to LaVerkin. Continue on SR-9 to the south entrance of the park. SR-9 through Zion National Park is always open and is also called the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway.			Zion Photo: Bo Beck, Zion's Veteran High Angle Search and Rescue Team Member and avid Zion Canyoneer doing what he loves most - hanging on a rope in Zion National Park.
	Zion National Park Lodging Lodging and services are available in East Zion. The main road through Zion, the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (SR-9) is open year-round, and is not a route the Zion Canyon Shuttle takes. Zion Canyon is deep inside the park. Towering 3000' walls form a slot canyon, forged by the violent rush of torrent water over millions of years. From late March to late October access through the six mile stretch of road is via the Zion Canyon Shuttle, the rest of the year the canyon is accessed in private vehicles.

Technical

1 Canyon Hiking - Non-technical hiking where no rope is required. There might be some scrambling requiring the use of hands.

2 Basic Canyoneering - Rope recommended for belays, rappels and possible lowering packs and possible emergency use. Basic canyon scrambling, easy vertical or near vertical climbing and down climbing requiring frequent use of hands.

3 Intermediate Canyoneering - Exposed technical climbing. Down climbing could be difficult and dangerous where most people rappel instead. Rope required for single-pitch rappels and belays. Anchors are usually existing. Retreat up canyon will require ascending fixed ropes. Basic pothole escaping.

4 Advanced Canyoneering - Includes difficult and exposed climbing, down climbing, multi-pitch rappels, complex rope work, anchor problems, advanced problem solving.

Normal Water Volume and Current

A - Normally the canyon is dry or holds little water.

B - Normally the canyon holds water but the current is light or there are still pools. There might be a trickle on the falls, water deep enough that needs to be waded or swam. Wetsuit or drysuit may be required depending on temperatures.

C - Normally the canyon contains water with strong current and even waterfalls. Swimming deep pools required. Wetsuit or drysuit may be required depending on temperatures.

Time Required

I Requires only a couple of hours.

II Requires a half day.

III Requires most of a day.

IV Dawn to dark and longer if problem arise. Bring a head lamp and plan for possible bivy.

V Expected to take an average 1.5 days.

VI Expected to take two or more days.

History of the Thunderbird