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Zion Canyoneering Equipment and Gear Suggestions

A checklist of essential hiking, backpacking and canyoneering gear by Bo Beck

"Canyoneering" has grown immensely in popularity in the last decade; as a matter of fact the name "canyoneering" has been adopted in the US within just the last decade. Along with the new sport, techniques and equipment for descending canyons has changed dramatically, making the experience easier, safer and more enjoyable for many! Ropes have become smaller, lighter and less water absorbent, yet maintaining integrity of durability and strength.

Backpacks, Stuff Bags, Kegs

Packs of all sizes for different equipment needs are now available that not only are tough and abrasion resistant, but float and also instantly drain out water that fills a pack when swimming through pools of water ever so present in canyons. Bags designed to "stuff" ropes that can be tossed are also mesh and drain when lifted out of a pool, and also will float. Dry bags have become lighter, yet totally waterproof to protect cameras and other essential items; Waterproof Kegs not only keep cameras dry, but also are very impact resistant. There are many "canyon" specific soft goods and hardgoods available today such as dry suits, descending and ascending devices, footwear and many others!

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: Tom Jones designs his own canyoneering gear. You can get it from Tom or shop at the Desert Rat in St. George operated by Bo Beck.
	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.

If you are unsure about specific items or just have general questions, call The Desert Rat at
(435) 628-7277 and the staff would be glad to help you out; or you may wish to the Yahoo e-group; "Hiking in Zion National Park"; . There are many experienced "Canyoneers" including Bo Beck and Tom Jones that frequent these e-groups and will be able to answer any questions you may have.

La Sportiva Exum Ridge and Exum River: The ideal shoes for canyoneering and hiking on the sandstone in Zion National Park.

When off-trail hiking, the right kind of shoe is important to keep you comfortable and safe as you hike, boulder or canyoneer. La Sportiva makes an ideal shoe that holds up strong to all three challenges. The La Sportiva Exum Ridge is a radical hybrid with suction dot rubber lugs for friction, sticky "frixon" climbing rubber outsole to grip, its super lightweight and dries fast.

"The Exum Ridge is the One. If you had only one pair of shoes, this would be it .. for running, scrambling, hiking, canyoneering, this is the ticket."

History of the Thunderbird