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Maple Canyon: climbing in the wet?

Original Post
Branon Rochelle · · Vernal, UT · Joined Oct 2020 · Points: 298

I assumed Maple Canyon is a no-go for wet weather (sandstone/conglomerate) but am I wrong?

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65

Those cobbles will be desperately slippery when wet.

grug g · · SLC · Joined Jul 2022 · Points: 0

Doesn't matter. But it sure won't be pleasant to climb if wet. 

Alan Rader · · Wherever my Van is. · Joined May 2014 · Points: 322

Plenty of routes and crags that stay dry in rain. Bumber, bridge, Zen, craggenmore, minimum, pipe dream are a few. Maybe not all routes but enough. 

Jeremy McCormick · · salt lake city · Joined Mar 2020 · Points: 40

The cobbles are quartzite which will be fine, 

zoso · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2007 · Points: 798

The matrix varies from soft sandstone to bullet-hard quartzite.  

Jeremy McCormick · · salt lake city · Joined Mar 2020 · Points: 40
zosowrote:

The matrix varies from soft sandstone to bullet-hard quartzite.  

Assuming the matrix is then indeed weakened by moisture? 

zoso · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2007 · Points: 798

Sorry I should have been more clear.  It varies from area to area more so than it does from route to route, ie, some crags are unfazed by water and others might be a problem.  

For more established crags (older crags historically), I suppose more comments about choss means more likelihood of a sandstone matrix?

But I'm kinda theorizing here.  Anyone want to geek out and make a spreadsheet on the issue?  

Bottom line, just stick to the crags that remain dry in the rain and you'll be fine. 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northern Utah & Idaho
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