Bogley

dandyj · Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Provo, Utah

I am considering doing Baker Canyon at the end of June. It would be with a couple of guys I have been with a few times before and a couple people who are avid climbers that want give canyoneering a try. Climb-Utah says it would be miserable in Summer. Why is that? Baker Canyon in June good idea, bad idea? Any words of advice or things I should know?

Stick · Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Provo

Two summers ago I did Egypt 3 in July. After that I decided I would never go to Escalante in the middle of summer again.

I have heard people say you can go down to Escalante in the summertime as long as you choose slots that you can spend the entire day in. I don't know if Baker is like this or not.

stefan · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 4660 Location: somewhere

well, summer can often be very very hot, water consumption can be an issue, leading to carrying lots of water. some deal well with the heat, others don't. dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, whatever--when you commit to a canyon and need to deal with obstacles these can naturally become more serious. sometimes slots offer respite, sometimes they don't.

i've had good days and bad days in the summer, depending on a number of factors. i remember one particular day in the swell about 9-10 years ago. it was about 113º outside ... heat zapped our energy, despite the fact that we were walking in water. found it more pleasant lying in the shade near the flowing water in muddy creek looking up at the canyon walls. day after day of that heat made it difficult.

potholes and wading can make certain canyons enjoyable in the summer (or bearable if you don't wish to use a wetsuit in the colder times of year).
in a number of ways, a place like zion is more of a special case when considering canyons in summer. the tall walls, higher elevations, and cold water can make certain areas very different in the summer.

the other issue with summer, but not as relevant at the end of june, is that it's the monsoon season which is responsible for higher frequency, less predictable flashfloods. but this usually begins mid-july.

some generally recommend not to go in late june. it's a good precaution relating to the heat. if you know you deal well in the heat, then you can reevaluate if it's a good idea to go, gathering other information you might be concerned about.

shaggy125 · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 8:19 am Post subject:

Ahhh... a perfect time to try and sell my start early argument. The main issue in Summer is heat. The canyon SHOULD be wet and shady so keeping cool in the canyon is doable. The key to summer canyons is early starts. I'm talking wake up before the sun is out and start hiking at the first signs of dawn (just as you don't need a headlamp to see, somewhere around 5 A.M. 'ish in July?). This has lots of advantages. You have a long approach and cool hours of the morning make it much more bearable. You drink much less water when temps aren't out of control. It leaves a lot more "chill" time once you get back to camp, and it's safer, if something goes wrong in the canyon, the more daylight you have, the better your chances of being able to get help as quick as possible (lessens the chances of unplanned bivvy's too). Generally I get outvoted on what time we start on my canyon trips, but I'm always all for starting early ESPECIALLY in the summer, I personally am more miserable doing a three hour approach in the heat than I am getting out of my sleeping bag early in the morning.

dandyj · Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Provo, Utah

I was just wondering if it was only a heat issue. It seems that that is what it is so I quess I can be cool with that. Thanks.

ratagonia · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject: Re: Thanks

dandyj wrote: I was just wondering if it was only a heat issue. It seems that that is what it is so I quess I can be cool with that. Thanks.

For Baker, it is a 2-3 hour approach hike (to the camp), then a 3 hourish approach to the canyon, then the canyon, an hour hike back to camp, then a 3 hour exit hike. Except for the canyon itself, most of that is exposed to the full sun.

Hope you have a good headlamp!!! I recommend the Myo XP

Tom

dandyj · Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Provo, Utah

I was planning on camping by the river the night before to cut down on the day's exposure to the sun. This is largely dependent on the state of the Keeper in Neon. I don't want to trek across the flats from egypt to the river and camp for only one canyon. I don't have the skill yet to navigate keepers like that and I don't want to be another article in the paper. Baby Steps :2thumbs: .

I have actually been using the Princeton Tek Eos. Used it in Larry last weekend and was pretty happy with it.