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#1
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How tough are Zion Hikes?
I am planning on visiting Zion in late July. Yes, I know it is horribly
hot, but that is when I will be there. I am thinking of doing either Angel's Landing or Observation Point. I am a little concerned about the strenuous nature of the them, but more so about the chains. Can't say I have ever been on a trail with chains before. Presumably no one falls off them or they wouldn't be open, but just how dangerous and difficult are they? Last year I did a 25' traverse across a 10" wide ledge with a 50' drop off; I didn't much enjoy it and wouldn't want to face anything like that again. |
#2
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How tough are Zion Hikes?
"Toller" wrote... I am planning on visiting Zion in late July. Yes, I know it is horribly hot, but that is when I will be there. I am thinking of doing either Angel's Landing or Observation Point. I am a little concerned about the strenuous nature of the them, but more so about the chains. Can't say I have ever been on a trail with chains before. Presumably no one falls off them or they wouldn't be open, but just how dangerous and difficult are they? Last year I did a 25' traverse across a 10" wide ledge with a 50' drop off; I didn't much enjoy it and wouldn't want to face anything like that again. I was over 50 and was (and am) a mid-level or lower speed and not any sort of an endurance hiker when I went to Zion with instructions to hike Angels Landing as long as I wasn't afraid of height. Take your time and the length and vertical gain of the hike shouldn't be an issue. Without doubt, it was the most memorable hike I've done. I have never done a hike with chain assistance, either, but it wasn't an issue for me. I've forgotten the vertical drop from the chain area and Landing but it is a BIG drop. I'm pretty sure that there were a few areas where you can look Down both sides of the ridge but it's not like a 10" wide ledge that you have no wish to do again. It does get a bit more interesting when you meet someone going the other way on the chains--there are places to safely pass each other. But look at the bright side--unlike some Zion hikes, you have no chance of a flash flood sweeping you to your death on Angels Landing. Ah, from a map, it looks like you may be able to look straight down a good 800-1200' or so...as I said, the most memorable hike I've done. Let us know what you decide, either now or after returning from the trip. I'd like to hear your thoughts. Craig PS: from a web search: In August 2006, a 29 year old Las Vegas woman fell 1,000 feet to her death from near the top of the trail, the 5th fatality here since 1983. Pix: http://www.zionnational-park.com/ima...m2/index10.htm |
#3
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How tough are Zion Hikes?
"Craig" wrote in message ... "Toller" wrote... I am planning on visiting Zion in late July. Yes, I know it is horribly hot, but that is when I will be there. I am thinking of doing either Angel's Landing or Observation Point. I am a little concerned about the strenuous nature of the them, but more so about the chains. Can't say I have ever been on a trail with chains before. Presumably no one falls off them or they wouldn't be open, but just how dangerous and difficult are they? Last year I did a 25' traverse across a 10" wide ledge with a 50' drop off; I didn't much enjoy it and wouldn't want to face anything like that again. I was over 50 and was (and am) a mid-level or lower speed and not any sort of an endurance hiker when I went to Zion with instructions to hike Angels Landing as long as I wasn't afraid of height. Take your time and the length and vertical gain of the hike shouldn't be an issue. Without doubt, it was the most memorable hike I've done. I have never done a hike with chain assistance, either, but it wasn't an issue for me. I've forgotten the vertical drop from the chain area and Landing but it is a BIG drop. I'm pretty sure that there were a few areas where you can look Down both sides of the ridge but it's not like a 10" wide ledge that you have no wish to do again. It does get a bit more interesting when you meet someone going the other way on the chains--there are places to safely pass each other. But look at the bright side--unlike some Zion hikes, you have no chance of a flash flood sweeping you to your death on Angels Landing. Ah, from a map, it looks like you may be able to look straight down a good 800-1200' or so...as I said, the most memorable hike I've done. Let us know what you decide, either now or after returning from the trip. I'd like to hear your thoughts. Craig PS: from a web search: In August 2006, a 29 year old Las Vegas woman fell 1,000 feet to her death from near the top of the trail, the 5th fatality here since 1983. Pix: http://www.zionnational-park.com/ima...m2/index10.htm Oh my God! Thanks for the link, it looks incredible; but I don't know if I could do that. I have climbed a 5 pitch 750' climb in Yosemite, but had a rope. |
#4
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How tough are Zion Hikes?
In article ,
Toller wrote: Oh my God! Thanks for the link, it looks incredible; but I don't know if I could do that. Well, you can get near to Angel's Landing without doing anything scary, and then decide if you want to go farther. You'll be able to see it and talk to people who are coming back. There's a lookout where you can stop before the "scary" part out to Angel's Landing. If you aren't afraid of heights, it's not a big deal to go to Angel's Landing (it's not very technical). If you are, don't go, but do go up to the lookout. It's a big climb, but the footing is fine. Just take your time. The longest climb is up something called "Walter's Wiggles." The nice thing about this is, in the morning, it'll be in the shade. Observation Point is similar to the pre-Landing hike. There's nothing scary in that. Just take your time (and bring plenty of water) if you're unsure. |
#5
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How tough are Zion Hikes?
"Todd Michel McComb" wrote in message ... In article , Toller wrote: Oh my God! Thanks for the link, it looks incredible; but I don't know if I could do that. Well, you can get near to Angel's Landing without doing anything scary, and then decide if you want to go farther. You'll be able to see it and talk to people who are coming back. There's a lookout where you can stop before the "scary" part out to Angel's Landing. If you aren't afraid of heights, it's not a big deal to go to Angel's Landing (it's not very technical). If you are, don't go, but do go up to the lookout. Sadly, I am rather afraid of heights. Last year I had to have a friend go up on my roof and fix a piece of trim cause I couldn't; very embarressing. Is there any reason I couldn't wear a climbing harness and loop a rope over the chain? Safely tied in I become very bold again. It looks like an incredible hike and I would like to do it. |
#6
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How tough are Zion Hikes?
In article ,
Toller wrote: Is there any reason I couldn't wear a climbing harness and loop a rope over the chain? I suggest asking the Park Service about something so specific. I could only guess what their opinion would be. The concern, if any, would be the other hikers; it's a crowded hike. |
#7
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How tough are Zion Hikes?
"Toller" wrote:
Sadly, I am rather afraid of heights. Last year I had to have a friend go up on my roof and fix a piece of trim cause I couldn't; very embarressing. Is there any reason I couldn't wear a climbing harness and loop a rope over the chain? Safely tied in I become very bold again. The problem with this idea is that there are vertical posts along the chained sections they would require unclips and re-clips, plus sections with no chains. For most people, one's arms and handgrips can provide all the tie-in that is really required to do this route. If you really can't negotiate an exposed Class 3 section without being roped-up, don't do this route. And BTW you have no idea just how embarrassing it would be to do this non-technical route with technical climbing gear, while dozens of kids and geezers scamper around you -- pointing at you and snickering. Caveat |
#8
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How tough are Zion Hikes?
Toller wrote:
"Craig" wrote in message ... "Toller" wrote... I am planning on visiting Zion in late July. Yes, I know it is horribly hot, but that is when I will be there. I am thinking of doing either Angel's Landing or Observation Point. I am a little concerned about the strenuous nature of the them, but more so about the chains. Can't say I have ever been on a trail with chains before. Presumably no one falls off them or they wouldn't be open, but just how dangerous and difficult are they? Last year I did a 25' traverse across a 10" wide ledge with a 50' drop off; I didn't much enjoy it and wouldn't want to face anything like that again. PS: from a web search: In August 2006, a 29 year old Las Vegas woman fell 1,000 feet to her death from near the top of the trail, the 5th fatality here since 1983. Pix: http://www.zionnational-park.com/ima...m2/index10.htm Oh my God! Thanks for the link, it looks incredible; but I don't know if I could do that. I have climbed a 5 pitch 750' climb in Yosemite, but had a rope. Hi Toller, I did both Angels Landing and Observation Point. From the point of view of hight anxiety Observation Point is not exposed, whereas only the last 300' of Angels Landing is (where the chains are). In the pictures it looks pretty nasty, but in the real world it is not as scary, since there ale always a lot of fellow hikers to help/assist. The view from Observation Point is breathtaking too, since you look down on Angels Landing! Best regards and enjoy! Jjan |
#9
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How tough are Zion Hikes?
"jjan" wrote in message ... Toller wrote: "Craig" wrote in message ... "Toller" wrote... I am planning on visiting Zion in late July. Yes, I know it is horribly hot, but that is when I will be there. I am thinking of doing either Angel's Landing or Observation Point. I am a little concerned about the strenuous nature of the them, but more so about the chains. Can't say I have ever been on a trail with chains before. Presumably no one falls off them or they wouldn't be open, but just how dangerous and difficult are they? Last year I did a 25' traverse across a 10" wide ledge with a 50' drop off; I didn't much enjoy it and wouldn't want to face anything like that again. PS: from a web search: In August 2006, a 29 year old Las Vegas woman fell 1,000 feet to her death from near the top of the trail, the 5th fatality here since 1983. Pix: http://www.zionnational-park.com/ima...m2/index10.htm Oh my God! Thanks for the link, it looks incredible; but I don't know if I could do that. I have climbed a 5 pitch 750' climb in Yosemite, but had a rope. Hi Toller, I did both Angels Landing and Observation Point. From the point of view of hight anxiety Observation Point is not exposed, whereas only the last 300' of Angels Landing is (where the chains are). In the pictures it looks pretty nasty, but in the real world it is not as scary, since there ale always a lot of fellow hikers to help/assist. The view from Observation Point is breathtaking too, since you look down on Angels Landing! The pictures do look nasty, thanks. Ignoring exposure, which is the better hike? The canyon on Observation Point looked pretty cool, but it is a longer more difficult hike. |
#10
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How tough are Zion Hikes?
On May 9, 7:43 am, "Toller" wrote:
"jjan" wrote in message ... Toller wrote: "Craig" wrote in message ... "Toller" wrote... I am planning on visiting Zion in late July. Yes, I know it is horribly hot, but that is when I will be there. I am thinking of doing either Angel's Landing or Observation Point. I am a little concerned about the strenuous nature of the them, but more so about the chains. Can't say I have ever been on a trail with chains before. Presumably no one falls off them or they wouldn't be open, but just how dangerous and difficult are they? Last year I did a 25' traverse across a 10" wide ledge with a 50' drop off; I didn't much enjoy it and wouldn't want to face anything like that again. PS: from a web search: In August 2006, a 29 year old Las Vegas woman fell 1,000 feet to her death from near the top of the trail, the 5th fatality here since 1983. Pix:http://www.zionnational-park.com/ima...m2/index10.htm Oh my God! Thanks for the link, it looks incredible; but I don't know if I could do that. I have climbed a 5 pitch 750' climb in Yosemite, but had a rope. Hi Toller, I did both Angels Landing and Observation Point. From the point of view of hight anxiety Observation Point is not exposed, whereas only the last 300' of Angels Landing is (where the chains are). In the pictures it looks pretty nasty, but in the real world it is not as scary, since there ale always a lot of fellow hikers to help/assist. The view from Observation Point is breathtaking too, since you look down on Angels Landing! The pictures do look nasty, thanks. Ignoring exposure, which is the better hike? The canyon on Observation Point looked pretty cool, but it is a longer more difficult hike.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - As noted above, Angel's Landing looks scarier in photos than it is in real life. The chains are a reassurance, but even if there were no chains, I would not consider it a particularly dangerous hike. I think it might sort of be like comparing Yosemite's Half Dome and Cloud's Rest hikes. Half Dome has the chains and it's undoubtedly steeper, more popular, etc. But from Cloud's Rest, you get to look down on Half Dome. Same with Angel's Landing v. Observation Point. |
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