Sand Slide Slots (Lower)
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| | Difficulty:3A III R (v1a1 IV) Raps:0
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| Best season: | Any;HOT in Summer
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38.3552, -110.5658
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Introduction[edit]
If doing the Full-Monty, meaning ascending up Slot #5, descending #7, then hiking up again and descending #6, this is a 5-Star route IMHO. Slot #7 contains some high-stemming over Bombay Slot sections and chimneying down very smooth walls with not many features. The slightest slip in #7 in some spots would have immense consequences and could be fatal. #7 is obviously not for beginners. High-stemming experience is recommended. If ascending #5 and descending #6, this is a beginner-friendly route, but the rating would be 2-Star IMHO. #6 has some sustained stemming at a very comfortable width with very low consequences. There are two up-climbs at the beginning of #5 that may pose difficulty to a beginner but can be easily defeated with a hand line.
Approach[edit]
Easy hike down an old 4X4 road to the Dirty Devil River, then 1/2 mile level hike and a river-crossing. The river is usually knee-deep at most but extremely cold. On the approach, just before reaching the riverbed level, it is recommended to find a well-trodden cow trail and make a bee-line for the point on the riverbank that is directly across from the mouth of Slot #5. It is about 1/2 mile from the bottom of the old 4X4 road to the point directly across from the mouth of Slot #5. If you go to the riverbed level you will have to bush whack through Tamarisk and Willow for this 1/2 mile. Cross the river here at the point directly across from the mouth of Slot #5. It should take 45 minutes from the 4X4 Parking spot to the first up-climb in Slot #5.
Descent[edit]
Again, a warning that Slot #7 is not for beginners - much stemming experience is recommended before attempting this route due to the high consequences of a mishap. Skipping #7 and descending #6, is however, a beginner-friendly route.
Exit[edit]
From the mouth of Slot #6, head a couple hundred feet down river to make the crossing at a shallow spot. Then find the cow trail and go left until you run into the old 4X4 Jeep road you came down on. Returning involves this river crossing and then a 450 foot gain.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
RoadTripRyan.com : Lower Sand Slide Slots
Trip reports and media[edit]
Background[edit]
Note, as with any slot canyon, it is impossible to rate this route on the French rating system. If someone were to fall into the bottom of the slot in #7 and get wedged in, rescue time would likely be very lengthy as a cave-type rescue system would be needed.