Das Boot Canyon 3BII, Zion National Park, Utah

Das Boot Canyon has been on the radar for years — finally time to tackle this gem just above the Subway. Night before we camped at Kolob Reservoir where it got down into the 50s. The following morning we headed to Wildcat TH and started down. A permit from the Zion visitor center is required — a separate permit is needed if you continue down the Subway, otherwise exit back through Russell Gulch.

We immediately swam through canyon juice and debris from recent floods. Cold but manageable — I wore a 3mm farmer john, Heather a full 5mm. The narrow corridors gave way to mossy coloring and greenish-blue-grey hued walls. Some sections had a subterranean feel with open ceiling soft light casting into fluted passages.

Two short raps under 20ft, then a last 30ft rap off a pine tree (alternative: keyed boulder). Exited via Russell Gulch. 8 hours total — heavier than expected packs due to excess wet gear. Best approach: do Das Boot combined with the Subway — bring people who haven't done the Subway and run both. Das Boot alone is not worth the effort but paired with the Subway it's a great day.