MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

21 days till hike time! Scored some nice top down two day hike permits for the Virgin River Narrows. This is what I decided on for camera protection:

Mountainsmith kit cube camera insert in a Mountainsmith lumbar day pack. Kit cube, camera and two lenses, double dry sacked in two Osprey 12L dry sacks. Spare batteries, timers and filters stored in an Osprey 6 liter dry sack (Mefoto tripod gets wet). So far, testing in the bathtub yields a dry bag interior (yea!).

Any advice from those who have done this trip would be greatly appreciated. It looks like I have to play the last minute lottery for the Subway hike, but have some good alternate plans if I dont get one.

Thanks

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Sounds like you are ready for a great time Mark. Can't wait to see your trip.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Sounds good. I look forward to the shots.

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

Did the hike 50 yrs ago when I was 20. No camera. But waded through chest deep water with no out. Water proofing for gear is a must. In the real narrow parts you can see the stars in the daytime. I am sure not much has changed even though time has elapsed.

illininitt

I just went there last month. When I found out how long the hike would be.....I crossed it off the list!! People would ask me: "Are you going hiking with us to Antelpe Canyon tomorrow!?" I would say: "Unless I can drive my car to the rim.....to me Antelope Canyon will become NOALOPE CANYON!" To me.....no picture is worth a long hike. Same thing with Delicate Arch! When they told me it may be 2 hours out and 2 hours back.....I found a place I could take a pic of the Arch with only walking 4-5 minutes. I took a couple pictures from there and just TOLD everyone I walked 4 hours r/t!

steve49 Loc: massachusetts

i hiked in there 2 yrs ago.
went into canyon for 4 hrs and then came back.

it is a stunning hike. wonderful.
i used no camera protection. it was october and the river was pretty low.
equipment was never threatened. no issue.
i remember water mid hip depth- deepest that we went... mostly just 6" deep.
you can also walk on the side a lot.

was beautifully cool in the canyon. water kind of cold but not troublesome.
we rented "hiking boots" and neoprene socks for the trip and they were super helpful i thk.
lot of slippery rocks. they also give you a walking stick... which is also very helpful.

lot of folks start and walk maybe the first 1/2 - mile or so. after that it thins out.

notable, as im sure you know, if there is a thunder storm 50 miles north they close the canyon. a month or 2 after we were there... 6 people died in a flash flood. well warned by the nat park.

ps
i did not do what you are doing. i started and returned to the national park.

nokin

You don't know all you have missed. So much worthwhile the 2 hours walk to see it. The angle was so different from the point where you were!!! I speak of the Delicate Arch at Moab in Utah, naturally.

illininitt

I flew into LAS....rented a car...and drove to the GC and MV. From there I them went to the Mighty 5. 14 day trip. Last 2 were in LV. Just walking around that town was bad enough!

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

I was at Antelope last year, way too many crowds for my taste. Since I have to 2 day permit with a reserved campsite, we are taking the shuttle up to Chamberlains Ranch, then backpacking our way down with a night spent at campsite 7, then the next day end up back at Sinawava to grab the shuttle back to town.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I do so envy you your trip through the narrows. I was there years ago before one had to have a permit and intended to do it. However, the gal I was with wanted no part of it, so I had to forego it. Never got back and now I'm afraid I couldn't do it. I'll look forward to your images and do it vicariously through you!

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

I have always been an adventurous kind of guy and hear that often. I too hope I come back with some nice shots.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Please make sure you have proper foot gear and insulated socks like the scuba divers wear. Bring two hiking poles for balance. Yes, bring a tripod for long exposures in the dark areas of the canyon. Bring an ultra wide angle zoom lens as you are in narrow areas or settle for a 20 mm prime. You many need nothing else. Consider ND gradient filters as the bottom of the canyon is often much darker than the top. Most interesting shots are often at high noon as the light begins to eek through. Bring a pocket camera as a backup or use a GoPro Hero affixed to your shoulder. Use caution. There will be tons of people there with you and they will be in your pictures. Zion is like the 3rd most popular park in America.

btbg

Just two observations. First you are putting your camera in so much stuff that you won't be able to get at it when you need it. I have a waterpoof bag that has a strap that I hooked to the outside of my pack so all I had to do was unclip it and open the bag when I did that hike. Just have to be careful not to bang the camera against anything if you do that.

Second, your mefoto tripod won't be very stable, and may not even be tall enough if you try to take photos while still standing in the water. There are places where a tripod is essential, but you really need a big stable one. There are beautiful photos the entire length of your hike. Don't forget to turn around and look upstream. Some people make the mistake of only shooting what is in front of them when some of the best views are looking back upstream.

Also make sure that you have the right clothes. Depending on the weather a lot of people wear wet suits on some of the canyon hikes in that park, if you don't do that at least make sure that you have comfortable shoes that are good in slick conditions and some way to keep as dry as possible. If the water is low enough chest waders work, but they also rent dry hiking pants socks and boots that look pretty comfortable near the park.

There are only a couple of places that are at all technical on that hike. Most of it is just wading, but you still need to make sure that you have all necessary safety equipment and be selective where you choose to camp.

Enjoy the hike, it is beautiful and unforegetable.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

My other comment is the importance of foreground. Shots lower to the water with some boulders in front are always better than face-high. Lower is better. Pre-vision your shots, look at 500px for ideas, Use google earth gallery. Know every inch. It is once in a lifetime effort. Don't miss it.

MarkintheHV Loc: Hudson Valley

Great advice, thanks