Exploring: Southern Utah

Tim and I just got back from an adventure to the Southwest. From California to Nevada, Utah to Arizona and back we certainly saw our fair share of natural beauty. The trip was a mix of business and pleasure so after playing shows at the Zion Canyon Music Festival and Powellapalooza on Lake Powell, we set off to explore some of Southern Utah's magical slot canyons. Tim has been cruising around these parts for years so I was fortunate to have him as my

personal guide :). If you don't have someone experienced to go with, there are many things you can do to prepare for trips like this. By getting as much information as you can about the area you'll be traveling to (ie. expected weather, availability of water) and the possibility of flash floods altering routes (shifted boulders, log jams, etc.) you can prepare accordingly. Slot canyons should be avoided if there is any chance of expected/recent rain in the area or anywhere upstream. Most of these canyon trail heads are extremely remote and require driving miles down dirt roads. Be aware that any kind of precipitation can drastically change road conditions. The last thing you want is to get stuck in the middle of the desert! It's a good idea to always carry lots of water, extra food and a shovel in your car in case this happens. Talking to people that have had successful experiences is also a plus. If you don't know anyone who can give you sound advice, there are blogs and chat rooms discussing such things in great detail. (http://www.dankat.com/swhikes/content.htm, http://canyoneering-adventure.blogspot.com/)

Another option is using guide books. It is usually best to get recommended books from other backcountry travelers as there are many on the market that are less than adequate. When it comes to the Colorado Plateau (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Plateau), Tim and his brother Erik go to the Michael R. Kelsey collection of canyon and mountain guide books. Kelsey has 16 self published guide books (http://kelseyguidebooks.com/index.html). He gives hand drawn maps of each route, photographs, and history of the area in both technical and non-technical editions. While we find these books quite useful, there are those who criticize Kelsey for his boastful tone. One should know that he is an exceptionally fast hiker so his suggested time frames may not be realistic for the average hiker. With that said, he is certainly knowledgeable of these areas and suggests wonderful routes. We had a fabulous trip and found his information to be incredibly accurate. A word of advice: Always know the mileage of your route and factor in how quickly you travel to get the right hiking times for you. An average hiker in the canyons walks about 1 mile/hour. It's a good idea to know your own hiking pace in different terrains and fun to dial in your own procedures! And as always, tell someone in the front country where you are going and when you expect to be out!