One would expect that the country’s premier state for canyoneering would be the home to America’s number one maker of specialized canyon gear.   And that leader is Imlay.   Utah has literally hundreds of slot canyons, many well known, some even unnamed.   Most all present different challenges that those encountered hiking on ridges, in the desert, or on mountain trails. Because of the nature of the beast; ie. confinement, rappels, flash floods and steep, sheer walls, slot hiking/canyoneering presents unique problems of carrying gear, managing ropes and pothole escapes.   Imlay Canyon Gear to the rescue!   Imlay makes packs specifically designed to work in the slots.   Tough, abrasion resistant fabrics with easy access that drain.   If you’ve ever had your pack fill with water, you know how important that last feature is!   In three sizes, Imlay’s packs are named after three of Utah’s greatest slot hikes, Heaps, Mystery and Kolob.   A fourth is the company name.

Ropes want to tangle in slot canyons, which is highly inconvenient, time consuming and possibly a safety hazard.   Imlay solves rope management problems with three sizes of Rope Silos that are engineered and constructed of burley flow-thru mesh, wire reinforced, with flotation foam on three sides.   The company also makes a weight-saving Pull Cord bag for a smaller diameter rope.

Exiting a water-filled pothole is a common and often difficult canyoneering problem.   Most likely the water is quite cold and in the shade, so rapid exit is important to avoid possible hypothermia.   Imlay makes a Nut Sack that is easier to fill and throw to dry ground than a backpack.   For extreme pothole escapes, look at Imlay’s Happy Hooker online at www.imlaycanyongear.com.