Stats for the day:
· 20507 steps (on pedometer)
· Virgin River Stream Flow Rate Peak: 133 cubic feet per second
· Number of the 5 premier Colorado Plateau hikes completed: 4
· Feet to fall if I took a misstep: 1500
· Prayers said: countless
· Proud hikers at the end of the day: 3
We hiked Angels Landing in Zion today. I was a bit hesitant at the start because of some of the descriptions:
· The 1.9-mile trail to Scout Lookout is paved, though steep - it climbs 1,000 feet. The route to Angels Landing is more rugged, adding .5 mile and another 500 feet in elevation to the hike. Both trails are popular. The best time to hike here is in spring and fall or on early summer mornings.
· One of the park's construction wonders, this trail was cut into solid rock in 1926, including an amazing series of 21 short switchbacks called ''Walters Wiggles.'' Both Scout Lookout and Angels Landing offer spectacular views over sheer drops into Zion Canyon. From Scout Lookout it is 3 miles of uphill hiking to the West Rim.
· Caution: The route to Angels Landing involves travel along a steep, narrow ridge with support chains anchored intermittently along the route. Footing can be slippery even when the rock is dry. Unevenly surfaced steps are cut into the rock with major cliff dropoffs adjacent. Keep off when it is wet, icy or thunderstorms are in the area. Plan to be off before dark. Younger children should skip this trail; older children must be closely supervised.
But, I could take it slow and it’d be fine. We got to the top and I was feeling pretty accomplished. And then I walked around the big boulder. I think Brian and Matt enjoyed the sheer look of terror on my face all too much. We got through Walter’s Wiggles and reached a general “flat area.” I figured Scout Lookout, and then the large boulder that went up a bit more was Angels Landing. And then I walked around that boulder. I’m not sure there is any way to describe what I saw before me and how in the world I thought I was going to make it up that. So, I’m directing you to an ehike, so you can know my sheer terror was completely valid.
Note Slide 11. What you don’t see if how far down it is on each side of you. But, I’m alive. And I made it. I think that Brian and Matt deserve some credit for this. I don’t think that I would have stopped (I’m a little stubborn, which is backed up by my Earth sign), but they were completely supportive. I was scared – and going down scared me more than going up! Matt graciously carried my hiking sticks that I thought would be helpful, but weren’t so much for the climb. All they managed to do at that point was get in the way on my pack as I was trying to squeeze and scramble over the rocks.
On the way back to camp, we stopped by the Backcountry Desk to check on The Narrows status. Matt’s been receiving hourly updates for the past few weeks (gotta love technology), but ultimately, we’re waiting for the park to open the trail. AND IT WAS OPEN! While we were exhausted from the grueling climb in extreme heat, we were an exciting bunch because tomorrow is The Narrows!
We had a quiet evening, complete with getting outfitted with neoprene socks (the Virgin River water is 58°F (quite warm since when we arrived it was 42°F), canyoneering shoes, and walking sticks.
Math thoughts for today:
· Statistics on deaths due to climbing accidents – it’s probably really a pretty smaller percentage of all of those who climb.
Shout-outs:
· Kate (O’Brien) Barta – The necklace you gave me with the dove was definitely a reminder of strength and courage of the Holy Spirit with me today. I needed it climbing Angels Landing. Thank you!
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