I was thinking of doing a trip on Deso/Gray on the week of the 17th . Is it to early for a few rafts to float this section? Ice bridges? is it to early for trip of this magnitude? thanks in advance.
I've heard that ice jams in the shady reaches and ice falling from the cliffs (really high in the middle section) can be hazards at this time of year.
I imagine a look at the USGS website might give you some beta on water temps— I don't recall if they log that for the Green, along with stage and discharge. Also NOAA for nighttime air temps.
You could also ring the BLM office in price, and ask.
Deso!!!!
No worrys Go for it
Its only Deso, big wide open desert canyon
even at thtat the narrows not that narrow!
It's warming up here too
cheers
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chip
I've heard that ice jams in the shady reaches and ice falling from the cliffs (really high in the middle section) can be hazards at this time of year.
I imagine a look at the USGS website might give you some beta on water temps— I don't recall if they log that for the Green, along with stage and discharge. Also NOAA for nighttime air temps.
You could also ring the BLM office in price, and ask.
The falling-ice thing occurs because the cliff walls are so high above the river that some of the waterslicks and seeps can build up quite a lot of ice. When the sun hits it in the morning, chunks fall off. If you're camped underneath, you can get a surprise. Never heard of any injuries, so it's probably not that big a deal. Or that might be because so few people run Deso this early.
Still, I would avoid camping at the base of rock walls that catch early morning sun up high. I've done quite a lot of mountaineering— there are fatalities caused by falling ice on a regular basis. I've been hit by falling ice while climbing frozen waterfalls— no joke.
---------------------------- Original Message ------------------
Subject: [utahrafters] Ice in Desolation
From: "Steve Christensen" Date: Tue, March 11, 2008 10:19 am
To: utahrafters
A report from Redtail Aviation is that there is ice in Desolation Canyon. They plan another flight tomorrow. I'll update after I hear.
Steve
I don't think he's talking about ice for climbing....
Stay tuned,
-AH
__________________
Nothing in the world is more yielding and gentle than water. Yet it has no equal for conquering the resistant and tough. The flexible can overcome the unbending; the soft can overcome the hard. - Lao Tse
Didn't know Redtail would be flying this early. Are they hauling BLM'ers to Sand Wash, to shovel the mouse poop out of the guard station? Has anyone heard if the road is open and driveable?
Seems like there might still be surface ice on the shady, flat reaches and some jams at the rock gardens and debris bars. It's a deep canyon, with parts that only get a few hours of sun at this season.
Recently posted, follow up indicated water temp of 40 degrees at Jensen.
Quote:
---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------Subject: [utahrafters] Re: Ice in Desolation
From: "restrac2000" Date: Wed, March 12, 2008 11:55 am
To: utahrafters
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Just got a ping from Redtail that as of this morning Desolation is clear of the ice that they observed 3 days ago. Still some floating down river but no ice dams or blockage. Dynamic situation that I hope stays in our favor for our projected Sunday launch.
Phillip
__________________
Nothing in the world is more yielding and gentle than water. Yet it has no equal for conquering the resistant and tough. The flexible can overcome the unbending; the soft can overcome the hard. - Lao Tse
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