MMI Canyon - Arches National Park

RATING: 3A

LENGTH: 4-6 Hours

GEAR: Standard Technical Gear, extra webbing.

RAPPELS: 2-4 to 60 m ( 197 ft. )

WATER: None.

FLASHFLOOD: Low to moderate.

SEASON: Any, although summers can be very hot.

NOTES: Accessing the trailhead requires a bit of sandy road. A high clearance vehicle or 4-wheel drive is recommended, although cars can make it to the trailhead if aggressively driven across the sandy spots in most conditions.

Hype

MMI is a classic Arches canyon. It has a bit more meat than some of the other, shorter canyons in the park, and packs a lot of beauty in a little package. Several rappels, combined with huge alcoves and a few arches make this a must do in the Moab area.

The route offers 2 options. The first, a shorter route, that does not require a car shuttle but does require some exposed lower 5th class slab climbing. The second, a slightly longer option with no climbing that does require a car shuttle. Either way you do it, this is a great adventure, and very highly recommended.

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Comments

Descended MMI on 4/15/11. There was no anchor above the big rappel. I think folks are simply walking back to collect it since its so close the TH. We just down climbed the low angled slot section and rapped 33 feet from a single piece of new webbing into the boulders. There were NO other anchors with webbing in the canyon. We used retrievable anchors on everything, so bring about 70 feet of webbing and quick links with you to ensure enough extension for the final rap. Some bad grooving from those who have not extended enough are forming. If I get back out here I will install some new webbing. We exited via under covert arch, which I would only recommend for the experienced climbers out there, about as difficult as the climbing exit.

by: mesa_rn [Apr 18, 2011]