Zion Narrows in Winter

[anish]

Hello All,

I will be in Zion for 6 days around New Years time, and we are planning on

renting dry suits for a dayhike into the Narrows. Question is: Given the

depth on the canyon, and the low angle of the winter sun, will I get enough

light down there to be able to capture that warm glow we always see in so many

photos? Either way, we are going in, as for me photography will always come

second to "being" there. But I'm just wondering if I should lug all my photo

gear with me. I'd rather walk light if I won't be taking many shots, but if

there's a chance for capturing something special, then I have no problem

carrying the weight. Any thoughts welcome. Thanks!

 

Anish

[fourfa]

unlikely to get much glow, except a few spots that happen to run exactly north-south around 11am-1pm. Having done this trip, I'd be looking for interesting patterns in ice, frozen plants, frozen waterfalls and flowstones. Bring a macro lens.

 

I can recommend Zion Adventure Company in springdale for the rentals. Get the wetsuit booties and canyoneering shoes, and bring a couple different weights of polarfleece layers to wear underneath. Wear one, carry the other in a drybag in your backpack. Swap if you get too hot or cold, and have the other in reserve just in case.

 

Depending how far you intend to go, you may want waterproof drybags for all your stuff. I had to turn back at a particular choke point at a pool where the water went over my head, about halfway to the campsites.

 

Schedule a fair bit of time to go up Orderville Canyon. It's a little colder in there, so the ice will be more dramatic.

[fourfa]

also, you may need to call ZAC or other shops a few days in advance, they're not often open full hours during the winter. Someone may have to drive down to open up the shop and rent you the gear. Plan ahead.