Spry is the last of the moderate Zion "classics" I had yet to do. Despite its status I did not have the highest expectations for it as it looks very uncanyon-like where it pours out between Mt Spry and East Temple. Nevertheless I wanted to see what it was all about. Like Icebox, Spry has brief intervals of water that do not require a wetsuit if it is a hot day.
From our parking spot near the tunnel we walked up the sandy bottom of upper Pine Creek until a slight side canyon comes in on the side and signals or slickrock approach. Thankfully the approach was nowhere near as unpleasant as Icebox, and we made good time ascending slabs and noses to the pass into Spry Canyon. We took a large herd (50-60?) of mountain sheep by surprise, but they did not seem overly concerned as we descended the canyon towards them. The descent was somewhat steep, loose and unpleasant but was over soon enough. After falling for a couple use trails cutting off meanders in the wash (the latter being better travel), we arrived at the first rappel down a long slickrock chute.
This low angle rappel had a easily avoidable hanging keeper pothole which served as an oasis for a colony of frogs. About a dozen of them nestled into a overhanging crease in the rock, apparently offering some semblance of protection from the sun and predators. Cross beds raced around the curved surface of the slab in delightful patterns. While we were waiting for the last of us to rappel a couple chipmunks raced past on thin slickrock ledges, downclimbed vertically, and drank from the lower pool while we watched on. It was clear from the abundant life nearby that this pool was an important resource.
More sandy wash walking brought us to a few downclimbs and a couple rappel in a shallow slot. The latter rappel was off a wedged log into a 60 foot long flooded corridor. None of us were looking forward to getting wet at this point! I went first and braved a full bridge (fingertips to tiptoes at one point) to clear the stretch completely dry. The other successfully followed suit.
The canyon continued intermittently, some wash, some downclimbing, some rappelling. A long slabby section dropped abruptly into a dark and seemingly bottomless slot. Although short, this was the best section of slot in the canyon. Several more rappels followed. We always chose the dry option!
Ryan sacrificed his ankles in one shallow hanging pool. For amusement mostly we rigged a guided rappel for the rest which allowed us to remain dry. After this one more stretch of slot remained. A careful abseil avoided water hazards at the first drop, but a rigged handline led down the second drop into a deep water-filled slot. Thinking he would get wet I sent Ryan down first. Unexpectedly he was able to span the slot and cross to the other side completely dry! Damn! Ryan had a good foot of reach on me and I was not sure I would be able to replicate his moves. It was a challenge and for a few brief moments I thought I was going to end up in the drink, but I made it. Most satisfying. Only the simple matter remained of having the camera ready in case the other two made the plunge. They both crossed without incident. Staying dry despite the challenges was probably the most satisfying thing about the canyon for me.
After the flooded corridor, we could see and hear the Zion highway on the opposite side of the valley. A chute rappel exited the final slot. Another rappel brought us into a large alcove where lunch was declared. A cute tree frog provided entertainment. Much boulder scrambling then one final freehanging rappel and we were done with the canyon. Somewhat challenging boulder scrambling brought us down to Pine Creek, and use trails brought us back to the road. A nice little trip.
Round 2 was a quick run through Keyhole to give Dave and Leigh a brief taste of the deep and narrow. Cloud cover made it reasonable to suit up at the car. Harnesses and a 100 foot rope and we were off. The canyon was exceptionally dry, unlike anything Ryan or I had seen before. We raced through the upper canyon. The first rappel had a calf deep pool at the bottom in place of what usually was a swimmer.
We continued on, making quick work of the dry conditions. Ryan and I were both very surprised to find the final corridor, usually a lengthy swim, calf deep at most! The trip took about 40 minutes roundtrip. We used the remainder of the day to get to camp early. We laid out gear on the slickrock, carefully gearing up for our very big day the next day: Heaps!
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