Atlas › Robbers Roost - White Roost
Chambers Canyon
verified
ACA 3A
High flood risk
Hanksville, UT
A 2.7 mile no-rope White Roost slot famous for sustained stemming and a single overhead-lit chamber, often called one of the Plateau's best skinny slots.
AKA Bull Canyon and Chambers and South Fork Bull Canyon. The crux is body size against slot width: a fit 160 lb canyoneer moves through fluidly; a 200+ lb body has to fight every meter. Bring knee pads, gloves, and a small pack that fits under one arm. Solo descents are common but not advisable; partner assist on the high stems is faster.
Logistics
| Manager | BLM Hanksville Field Office |
|---|---|
| Permit | No permit required. Dispersed BLM land. The standard route stays on BLM; watch boundaries for nearby Glen Canyon NRA and Capitol Reef NP if extending. |
| Distance | 2.7 |
| Time | 2-5 hr |
| Technical | Rated 3A II PG (v4a1 II). Zero rappels but technically demanding: physical squeezes, sustained stemming, and one main chamber that opens to overhead light around noon. Ropewiki notes very few parties stay on the ground all the way through; most will need a few high stems to clear the skinnies. Difficulty scales sharply above 200 lb body weight. |
| Season | Mar-May, Sep-Nov. Summer brutally hot, winter cold and slow. |
| Flood risk | Moderate to high. White Roost drainages flash with any local monsoon storm; the canyon's tightness means no exit during a flood event. |
| Vehicle access | High clearance required on the approach road from Hanksville. |
| Crowd | Low. Considered among the best skinny slots on the Colorado Plateau but the squeeze grade keeps casual parties away. |
| Coordinates | 38.3332, -110.5183 |