Canyoneering Courses in Southeastern Utah

Well 2011 is here (OK, we're 2 months behind saying that) and we are pleased - No we're STOKED - for this years season.  There have been a lot of dramatic movements in the Canyoneering world this year.  Most notable is the Hollywood feature film "127 Hours" highlighting the struggle of Canyoneering Icon Aron Ralston.

There has also been an increase in guide company's popping up this year.  A result of the expected increase in popularity due to the movie? Who Knows.  We are privileged to be continuing this year with our hugely popular Canyoneering Courses.  We have enjoyed over the years meeting people from all over the lower 48 states and even some from outside the lower 48.  We look forward to making many more friends this year and hope that you will be one of them.  Contact us with any questions you may have regarding any of our Canyoneering options.

Spring 2011 3 Day Technical Canyoneering Courses:

March 17-19, 2011
April 14-16, 2011
April 25-27, 2011*
May 12-14, 2011
June 9-11, 2011

*Our April 25-27 course is set to preceed the North Wash Rendezvous of member of the American Canyoneering Association (ACA).  Participation in these courses include a membership to the ACA and therefore allowing you access to these and other rendezvous at membership rates.

Spring is playing hard to get!!

Well this year spring is certainly playing hard to get.  We have had a banner year as far as snowfall in the Four Corners.  Not the best year ever mind you, but a good one.  The canyons are going to be full and take a long time to dry out.

A couple of weeks ago we drove out through Cedar Mesa up to Hite Marina on Lake Powell and into the North Wash area to check out the snow levels.  Driving from Blanding the snow was thick through Cedar Mesa and didn't start to taper until we passed the Bears Ears / Natural Bridges National Monument area.  After that most snow was on the north facing slopes only and every where else was heavily saturated with standing water.  White Canyon was flowing approx. 8 inches deep.

Lake Powell area had no snow except for the occasional north facing shaded spot but still had run off coming from the cliffs with small waterfalls hitting the road in places.

North Wash area had  no visible snow, but the wash itself was running which I rarely see.  There is going to be water for a while.

Two weeks ago the weather broke enough for me and a couple of friends to get out and dust some ropes off and teach them a refresher on rappelling and give them their first instruction on how to ascend a fixed rope.  It was a sunny day, the wind was blowing and a bit chilly, but it was nice to get out and play.

We woke Yesterday (April Fools Day) to two inches of snow.  Mostly gone now and we are looking forward to upcoming trips and classes this spring and hope to have the weather warming up after this weekend.   Here are a few pics from our excursion two weeks ago.  You can also follow along more frequently on our Facebook page.  Look forward to seeing you out in the canyons this year.

North Wash Outfitters LLP. on Facebook

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2010 Canyoneering Courses

2010 is anticipated to be an awesome year.  The ACA is changing some of the Course curriculum's and we are excited to be a part of this with them.  We have begun to setup our course schedule and they are already getting filled up.  We look forward to meeting some great new friends and Canyoneering partners this year and being able to get out and have more of a presence in the Canyoneering world.  We will be adding to this list as we add more courses.

Technical Canyoneering

March 4-6, 2010
April 15-17, 2010
May 10-12, 2010
June 10-12, 2010

Advanced Canyoneering

Still Pending dates

As always we expect the courses to fill up quickly.  Go to the individual course descriptions (www.northwashoutfitters.com/courses.htm) to see what the courses entail and to click on the registration link and fill out the registration information.  You can e-mail us to check availability or for any questions you may have about the courses.  Courses are capped on size and it is filled on a first come - first registered - first paid basis.

Please join us on Facebook to keep up on events and just to make us feel loved.

Jared Hillhouse
jhillhouse@northwashoutfitters.com
435-678-3255

SPOT LLC Announces Recall!

SPOT LLC has announced a recall of it's SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger.  This is for the generation 2 model.  This model has only been available since October 2009.  Although North Wash Outfitters has not yet began selling the generation 2, we understand that some of our customers may have purchased this unit elsewhere and therefore encourage you to look up the SPOT website for information on this recall.  The article from their site is posted below along with a link to their website.

Spot LLC is dedicated to providing the highest quality and best performance products to our customers, therefore, Spot LLC will be conducting a voluntary return on any new model SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ (SPOT 2) purchased since October 1, 2009. During recent testing, we discovered that some of the new SPOT 2 devices might not meet battery and messaging operating specifications.
Affected Units

To see if your SPOT-2 unit is affected by this issue, please do the following:

• If you have activated your SPOT-2 unit, login to your account at https://login.findmespot.com, click on the My GPS Locations tab and a message will display indicating if you have an affected SPOT-2 unit.


• If you have not activated your SPOT-2 unit, do not activate. We highly recommend you return your product for replacement at your earliest convenience.

The Exchange Process

• Replacement units are anticipated to be available in early 2010. More details to follow.


• If you exchange your eligible unit, you will also receive 1 additional month of your current SPOT service plan and associated services.


• Once exchanged, you will receive a new SPOT-2 unit.


• Please follow this process to receive your return shipping materials. These will be sent you upon completion of the form.


• Ship only your SPOT-2 unit and take out batteries prior to shipping.

Important notes
This does not affect SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker (SPOT-1) nor is it an upgrade program to transition from SPOT Satellite Personal Tracker (SPOT-1) to the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger (SPOT-2).



SPOT LLC website address:  http://www.findmespot.com/exchange/

Sale on SPOT Satellite Messenger

We are excited not only for the Canyoneering Community but for the outdoor community as a whole.  SPOT Satellite Messenger is having a sale to beat all sales.  I am thrilled because this device is one that should be with anyone who is going to be out of cell phone range.  I have seen some incidents quickly resolved because of this device and I have seen some incidents that would have fared much better had help been summoned much sooner.  SPOT is a great device that is well worth the money.  Most Americans spend much more money a month on their cell phone bills than on what this unit is going to cost you a year, and your cell phones won't get out in some areas like this will.  Plus your cell phone doesn't come with an optional $100,000 rescue insurance for $7.95 a year, A YEAR!!

I'm not going to rant about it again, this unit is well worth it and I am not being paid by the company to promote it.  I have seen and used it and have had great success with it as well as peace of mind.  Whether you buy yours from North Wash Outfitters or any other retailer, it is an investment that is worth it.

Right now SPOT is offering the unit for free or at a reduced price through rebates depending on the service contract you sign up for. This offer is valid 6/1/09 through 8/3/09.

Canyoneering with The Totem

Have you ever been frustrated by your rappelling device? Tired of a device that seems to work good on one type of rappel but not another? Well, I don't know if there can be such a perfect device to fix all your problems, but The Totem is going to come as close as you can get right now.

The Totem is by far going to be one of your favorite pieces of Canyoneering / Climbing / Rescue gear. This rappelling and rigging device was designed by Rich Carlson from the American Canyoneering Association and is  going to fast become one of those devices that you can't leave home without.  No it doesn't have a bottle opener built into it but this device is multi functional and can carry the rigging load of many of your other / older / outdated devices.  It functions like a figure eight, sticht plate and gigi all in one.  It will do everything each of these devices will do, plus a few things unique to The Totem. Use it to rappel on single or double strands of rope from 7.5mm to 10.5mm. Easy to add friction on the fly. Simple to lock off.

Other uses include: rigging releasable eight, joker and stone eight; anchor rigging plate; as a "trolley" for guided rappels, guided hauls and lowers; and much much more.

Check out below some of the different ways to rig this amazing device.
The Totem on YouTube

The Totem on YouTube (Rough Cut)

PDF download show different Anchor Rigging Options which can be done with the Totem.

PDF download show different ways to rig Rappelling Options with the Totem.

The Totem sells for $45.00

2009 Spring Canyoneering Courses Announced

2009 is going to be a great year.  We are excited about the weather already warming up and the opportunity to start getting into teaching again.  We have begun to setup our course schedule and they are already getting filled up.  We look forward to meeting some great new friends and Canyoneering partners during our courses.  We will be adding to this list as we add more courses.

Technical Canyoneering

March 5 - 7, 2009 (Course Full)
March 19 - 21, 2009 (Course Full)
April 2 - 4, 2009
April 30 - May 2, 2009
May 28 - 30, 2009 (Course Full)

Advanced Canyoneering

March 27 - 28, 2009 (Course Full)
April 10 - 11, 2009 ( Course Full)
April 17 - 18, 2009
May 15 - 16, 2009 (Course Full)

As always we expect the courses to fill up quickly.  Go to the individual course descriptions (www.northwashoutfitters.com/courses.htm) to see what the courses entail and to click on the registration link and fill out the registration information.  You can e-mail us to check availability or for any questions you may have about the courses.  Courses are filled on a first come - first registered - first paid basis.

Jared Hillhouse
jhillhouse@northwashoutfitters.com
435-672-9942