DAS BOOT (Left Fork of North Creek) 
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Overview:
Das Boot (Left Fork of North Creek)"Das Boot" is the humorously-named half-mile section of the Left Fork of North Creek upstream from the standard top-down Subway route. This short technical canyoneering route goes through some beautiful subterranean territory and involves several rappels, downclimbs, swims, and constant exposure to cold water. This route is not suitable for hikers who have no technical canyoneering experience.

Logistics:
"Das Boot" is often done as an extended start to the Subway top-down hike. Aside from arranging a car spot or a shuttle service (readily available from one of the outfitters in Springdale), you must also get a backcountry permit to do the Left Fork. The Subway has gained epic popularity and the National Park Service now limits access to the Subway to 50 people a day. (Camping is not permitted in the Left Fork.) For more information on permit reservations and the lottery system for the Subway, please see the Zion Permits website.

Detailed Description:
The technical section of "Das Boot" may take only 1-3 hours, but the approach and exit hikes make this a full-day endeavor. If doing the Subway as well, the entire route could take anywhere between 7 to 12 hours.

  1. Approach Hike through Russell Gulch:
    Starting at the Wildcat Canyon Trailhead, hike the standard Subway approach down Russell Gulch, but roughly half-a-mile down Russell Gulch, make note of the bench system under the White Cliffs to the east-- that's where you want to be! Leave the normal trail and head due east to cross over the Russell Gulch watercourse above where a small slot section starts. (If you leave the trail too early, you will be bushwhacking the manzanita; wait to leave the trail when you can see a fairly straightforward slickrock route across.)
     
    Once up on the bench, follow it southeast and enjoy the early morning views of the Left Fork and the South Guardian Angel in the distance. As you start to clear the White Cliffs, start heading south to descend a minor drainage that doesn't quite show up on the topo map. (This is west of the more prominent north-south drainage shown on the topo; a GPS is quite helpful for verifying your location.) The minor drainage leads all the way to a shelf roughly 30 feet above the Left Fork. A little rock scrambling to the east through the bushes (fairly easy, but awkward) takes you to a friendly entry point into the Left Fork (at the mouth of the more prominent drainage). Time to put on the wetsuits!
  2. Das Boot!
    Start hiking down the narrow, dark canyon. Dry sections alternate with (usually) waist-deep water until you reach the first significant obstacle: a 20-ft rappel off of a log jam. (I like to call this the "Donkey Kong logs" -- two logs that have been wedged into walls to form a V-shaped pattern reminiscent of my favorite old video game.) In the next quarter mile, you will encounter many smaller logjams and pools; downclimb or do short little rappels as you see fit. (A short 20' run of webbing or rope comes in very handy.)
     
    Das Boot (Left Fork of North Creek)About half-way through the canyon, the water gets significantly colder, but after a narrow corridor of small potholes and a final cold swim, the canyon opens up a bit and the subterranean feel is over. After a bit of easy hiking, you will reach the final obstacle: a 30-ft high dryfall with a wide ledge on the right (north) side that lets you walk around on top to scope out the territory.
     
    There are several options to the final obstacle: Around the corner is a dead stump that people have traditionally rappelled off of, but be wary and test before trusting it! This easy rappel lands you on dry ground. (A 60' rope doubled-over is just long enough to reach bottom.) The safer option is to rappel right through the dryfall (using the live tree or an available log as an anchor) and swim the ~50-ft long pool. (Note: Some people jump into the pool below, but I am a wimp and don't recommend that.) Hike downcanyon from the final obstacle and within moments you will join up with the "normal" Subway route at the mouth of Russell Gulch.
  3. The Hike Out:
    At this point, it's time to continue down the Left Fork and do the standard top-down Subway route. Alternatively, if you have had enough or you are short on time, you can hike up and out Russell Gulch back to where you started (saving you from needing a car spot). Hiking up Russell Gulch is a lot slower than the downhill approach (especially on a hot sunny day), but the scenery in the afternoon is sublime. Most people don't get to hear all of the birds singing in the forested areas!
Das Boot topo map Das Boot (Left Fork of North Creek) Map.
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Equipment Needed:
60' rope minimum (80'-100' may be more useful for the final rappel), a climbing harness, 100' webbing (for handlines and/or emergency use), a few rapid links or rappel rings, a drybag, high-energy snacks. Wetsuits are recommended even in the summer.

Technical Challenges:
A few rappels, many downclimbs over logs and through potholes, sections of swimming, continuous exposure to cold water, and navigation in Russell Gulch.

For More Info:
This description assumes that you are familiar with the standard Subway route. How did "Das Boot" get its humorous name? See Tom's description on his website.

Joe's Spin:
Das Boot is a beautiful subterranean section of canyon that deserves a good amount of respect. This isn't the most technically difficult canyon, but its remoteness and extended exposure to cold water should not be taken for granted. While life goes on in the sunny world above, the cold subterranean sections spell certain death for all small creatures unfortunate to fall in from above. Be safe!

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