New to Utah questions for long term stay

In May (I know it is going to be too hot) I will be moving towards Lake Powell, and utilizing that as a home base whilst I drive my car around the desert for the following six months. I have some questions pertaining to climbing around there, finding random work, and generally just being a bum in Utah, nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Southern Idaho, and maybe California. Particularly Page, AZ is where I'll have a primary connection. I'll foreseeably be out there for at least six months.

1. Where could I climb in the summer in the area? It is my understanding that Lake Powell has some great DWS, but I do not own a boat. I am not opposed to the heat or sun, but I also have never been around the desert in the summer.

2. Is it likely I will be able to find random work to do around southern Utah, or will I have to mostly stick to freelance autocad drafting and graphic design? I definitely look at myself like a jack of all trades type, and I'll do most anything legal for money in a pinch. I have a good amount of savings to live on, but income is always worth finding.

3. Do any foreign-to-me dangers exist, natural or human, that I should know about when being a bum? Anything from rampaging meth-bikers to poisonous snakes to flash flooding to weird laws, what is going to be a hindrance to my leisurely lifestyle that I should worry about or be aware of?

4. If I keep my climbing gear in a Thule box on my roof, should I worry about it actually melting in the summer? If so Should I paint said box white? Again, I have no experience in the desert.

5. Anyone looking for partners at this time? I'd literally do anything from bouldering to aid climbing. I am knowledgeable to keep myself safe doing long multi-pitch routes, but have no experience doing multiple day climbs or bag-hauling.

Thank you for your time,

Eli

Hello Eli,

I don't think I can get you answers to all of your questions but ill do my best. First, I will begin by saying yes, it will be hot but there is certainly enough climbing in the area to keep you busy. Get a copy of the Limestone Bible by Misty Murphy and the Southern Utah guide, that should keep you busy. Also if you can stay in the shade climbing in Zion is totally possible in the summer, I do recommend trying to be off the wall by noon though. (Early starts are key). I lived in St. George for a summer.

1. Across all of those states you have many options. Red Rocks just find shade, (Icebox Canyon). Most of the SLC Wasatch Range is climbable in the summer. Select summer days in City of Rocks ID too. Head into the High Sierra in CA and you will find a lifetime of summer climbing. Wind River Range WY is the same. Rifle CO and Maple Canyon UT for your sport fix. You have a very large playground, get on MP and start clicking around.

2. I don't have great suggestions for quick work.

3. You are part of a large community of people who do this lol you will figure it out as you go, thats the best part :). However; Southern Utah and Northern AZ has been known to have some weird activity as far as sketchy people just park in popular areas and preferably where other people are. Overall, its nothing to be super concerned about in my opinion. Flash Floods are a real thing, you can find yourself in a very dangerous situation quite quickly. If you know of a large storm coming from a distance away and you are in southern Utah or AZ be aware of main drainage areas and try to stay out of them in those days. Just be smart about it and use common sense and you will be fine.

4. Your box wont melt, you will be fine. Plastic melts in the upper 200ºF range, and your blood boils around 212, you will be alright :) I would make sure your box is secure just to make sure no one tries to steel shit.

5. I am generally all over the place and make plans quickly so I dont know how much I will actually commit to but feel free to hit me up if your in Utah.

Best of luck and have fun!

Branden

Branden Michelkamp wrote:4. Your box wont melt, you will be fine. Plastic melts in the upper 200ºF range, and your blood boils around 212, you will be alright :) I would make sure your box is secure just to make sure no one tries to steel shit.

However, the interior temperature of a roof-top black box in the southern UT summer, where temps often hit 100+, can easily go to 160F or more. Do you really want to keep baking your gear like that?

From a security perspective, those Thule boxes shatter pretty easily with a few well placed blows from a rock. Something you might want to reconsider.

Be careful with how you store any fuel for your stove they don't like the heat(i haven't had a fuel cylinder blow up, but I have had lighters blow up in my glove box).

Drink plenty of water, if you are not used to the desert you will be surprised at just how much more water you need. The sun is relentless out in the desert it will sap your energy and water, and most people will burn even with a good tan so keep sunscreen sunglasses and chap stick handy. But you will get used to it, and may even begin to thrive in it.

Flash floods are a big concern, they can come in under 30 seconds in narrow canyons, extreme ones can wash out roads and bridges in minutes. Last year an SUV was washed away killing the occupants. With a little knowledge they are pretty easy to avoid, but something to aware of.

There are a lot of tourist jobs that will be hiring shortly you might be able to pick some work up there.

I would also take the time to learn some canyoneering while you are here, Zion is a very easy place to learn, and get into a great sport.

I think climbers tend to be tuff by the nature of our sport, and you seem like a smart guy, I'm sure you will figure it out and have a great time out here.

jacob m s wrote:Flash floods are a big concern, they can come in under 30 seconds in narrow canyons, extreme ones can wash out roads and bridges in minutes. Last year an SUV was washed away killing the occupants. With a little knowledge they are pretty easy to avoid, but something to aware of.

Flash floods can also occur despite it being blue-bird sunny and cloudless where you are. For example, the watershed for the part of the Virgin River that carved Zion is over 400 sq miles. A localized thunderstorm 50 miles away can create a 4' high wall of rushing water and debris 45 minutes later in your location.