Matkatamiba Canyon (Matkat) is a remote non-technical canyon within the vast reaches of the Grand Canyon. Access is either by river with rafters stopping before the Matkat rapids, or via a technical canyoneering trip down 150 Mile Canyon followed by a packraft crossing of the Colorado River. Our group came the technical way. Once you hike around to Matkat you are greeted with beautiful narrow canyon dropping into an incredible layer of muav limestone. Spring water feeds the l

Rock Canyon is a 3AI technical canyon in Zion National Park featuring classic Navajo sandstone rappels and beautiful canyon scenery. The canyon is on the shorter side, making it an excellent half-day technical option in Zion's canyon-rich landscape. The sandstone rappels are fun and the canyon has good flow-line narrows characteristic of the Zion region. A permit is required to access Rock Canyon in Zion. Check the Zion permit lottery system well in advance. The canyon pairs

White Mountain Peak at 14,246ft sits at the top of the White Mountains — California's third highest peak and one of the most accessible 14ers in the state. The approach follows a maintained dirt road to a research station, from which a straightforward trail leads to the summit. The hike is non-technical but the altitude demands respect and proper acclimatization. From the summit the views are extraordinary — the Sierra Nevada to the west, Boundary Peak and Nevada's Basin and

The biggest canyon tributary in the Grand Canyon is almost like its own canyoneering destination in itself. There are multiple access points into the Kanab Creek tributaries. We took a route down from Kanab Point via the technical Kanab 0 Canyon. The route took most of the day but once in the canyon, the massive redwall limestone walls expanded the horizon and filled most of our views. Once in the canyon we headed over to Whispering Falls Canyon via a sneak route. After this

After Whispering Falls we struck camp and made it as far up Kanab Creek and into Scotty's Hollow before nightfall. We spent one more night at the confluence of Scotty's and Kanab Creek with water, dice, and the last of the whiskey. Up at 4:30am, we left camp at 6am and started up Scotty's Hollow. What an incredible trip. Kanab Point → Kanab 0 → Whispering Falls → Scotty's Hollow → rim. One epic Grand Canyoneering experience. We had a shuttle car parked at the rim of Scotty's

Red Blanket Cave is a newly discovered cave named for the distinctive red coloring of its formations — a vivid geological feature that sets it apart from other Nevada desert caves. The cave has interesting passage and geological features worth documenting as part of the ongoing Nevada cave survey effort. Location remains undisclosed for conservation purposes. If you are interested in Nevada cave exploration, reach out to the Nevada Cave Survey or your local NSS grotto to lear

Spring Creek Canyon in Kanarraville, Utah is a beautiful non-technical canyon known for its cold spring-fed water, lush vegetation, and impressive slot canyon narrows. The canyon is accessible with a day-use permit from the town of Kanarraville and is a fantastic option for those seeking a scenic canyon hike near Zion National Park. The canyon features numerous small waterfalls, cold swimming sections, and tight narrows that make it a memorable experience in any season. The c

Kanab 0 Canyon is the technical canyoneering route from Kanab Point into Kanab Creek — the most direct and committing entry point into the Kanab Creek wilderness of Grand Canyon National Park. The descent took most of the day but delivered the reward of entering one of the most expansive and seldom-visited tributaries in the entire Grand Canyon system. The canyon requires technical gear and a multi-day commitment. Once in Kanab Creek the scale of the redwall limestone is humb

Jumpup Canyon is an excellent connecting tributary to the Kanab Creek system. You can gain access from Indian Hollow to the east or from Kanab Creek to the west. Jumpup has a straightforward non-technical hike through redwall narrows — quite extensive in length and a very beautiful and scenic approach to Rattlesnake Canyon and Kirk's Chasm.

Grey Mountain Pit is a vertical pit within the state of Arizona. We rigged off to a Prius and dropped into this gypsum cave which was very crumbly — approximately 100ft of depth. Gypsum caves in Arizona are an interesting geological feature and this one is worth noting for documentation purposes.

Rogers Spring and Blue Point Spring are two desert springs located near Lake Mead in the Nevada/Arizona border region. Both springs produce warm, clear water that pools in beautiful natural basins — a stunning contrast to the surrounding Mojave desert landscape. Rogers Spring is the more accessible of the two and is a popular stop for locals and visitors alike. Blue Point Spring requires a short hike but rewards with a more secluded desert spring experience. The turquoise wat

Rainbow Canyon is a 3AI canyon with vibrant color streaks running through its walls — a fitting name for a canyon that delivers a spectrum of desert hues. The technical rating makes it accessible for newer canyoneers while still offering beautiful scenery and engaging rappels. The narrows section is particularly scenic with color-banded walls that showcase the layered geology of the Southwest desert. A recommended canyon for anyone looking to experience technical canyoneering

Mighty Mouse Canyon is a short but fun 3AI technical canyon in Zion National Park. The canyon lives up to its name — small but punchy, with the classic Zion Navajo sandstone narrows that make this park such a destination for canyoneers. Rappels are straightforward and the scenery is quintessential Zion. A great half-day option that pairs well with other Zion canyons in the area. Permit required — plan ahead and check the Zion permit lottery. The canyon is a good introduction

Nordic Pit is a 20ft pit within the state of Arizona. This was a pit that was visited a long time ago — records are now being updated for documentation purposes. This information is for people who know where this pit is located. If you are interested in learning more about how to get involved with caving, please reach out or contact your local grotto.

Burnt Canyon East Fork is a remote technical descent in the Grand Canyon backcountry. Like many Grand Canyon canyons, the commitment level is significant — a long approach, serious route-finding, and the ever-present awareness that you are deep inside one of the world's most formidable landscapes. The East Fork offers technical rappelling in stunning desert canyon terrain. The geology throughout the canyon is classic Grand Canyon — layered reds, oranges, and purples with the

A 4:30am rise — the darkness still clouds my introspection. Weather reports showed higher integers than zero just to the right of the decimal. Rain was on its way. We hiked up Jumpup Canyon from the Kanab Creek junction as our approach. The blue hour threw colors of violet onto the redwall like a changing lens filter cycling through pigments of magenta. The canyon was beautiful — 6-8 rappels through very interesting sections of narrow redwall. We also attempted a sneak route

Grand Canyoneering is measured by the time between being over the rim and under the rim — and the wait time can be quite slow. Heading down Flipoff Canyon to the bench of the redwall allowed us access to a small yet scenic canyon tucked away in the upper reaches of Kanab Creek: Crackbaby Canyon. The raps are in quick succession and the narrows were quite impressive — cavernous chasms and beautifully polished stone. Awkward rappels made for spicy teamwork. The last rap provide

Eastern Sun Canyon in Zion National Park is a 3AII technical canyon that earns its name from the way sunlight illuminates its walls at certain times of day — the Navajo sandstone glows with an intensity that makes every rappel feel like a descent into fire. The canyon has fun technical sections and beautiful scenery throughout. A permit is required to access this canyon in Zion. The rating makes it appropriate for intermediate canyoneers with technical experience. Combined wi

Arriving to the Grand Canyon region is a local ticket to another world. Flipoff Canyon is our entry point — around 2,400ft of elevation loss getting us into the upper reaches of the great Kanab Creek Canyon. Hiking was straightforward with amazing views and the route-finding was a pick-your-way approach. The roads leading to the trailhead were some of the better roads I've experienced in the Grand Canyon region. Flipoff was a great access point for our Crackbaby, Rattlesnake,

I wiggle myself into a hole, just big enough for a single body. I immediately find a room opening into a triangular passage. The years of work and research came to an exhilarating discovery — the reality that discovering new caves is still very much at the forefront of modern times. Helmet on, eyes wide open, walking down a passage headed into the earth, I continue into what has become one of the most unique cave discoveries in the United States and potentially the world. I l