If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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
|
|||
|
|||
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. Hike early (like starting at first light). Much of the Angel's Landing hike is in the shade on a paved (yep) trail. How you will react to the heat is a matter of how well you are conditioned to serious exercise in high temperatures. But if you want a cooler hike, do the Narrows (assuming there are no impending flash floods about to roar downcanyon). 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? People do fall off the final ascent to, and summit of, Angel's Landing. And, yes, they die. A 29-year-old Las Vegas woman did so last summer (it was a 1200' drop with a rather abrupt ending). But thousands of people have done the route without incident, so let's hope that the trail will not be closed. The route is fine up through Walter's Wiggles (a paved switchback section) to a big overlook area. The faint-of-heart usually wuss out there after surveying the narrow, ascending ridge to the Angel's Landing summit. The chains are along that section and are helpful to those without good balance, borderline acrophobics, and non-climbing folks. There are a few gaps in the chained route and some sloping sandstone friction sections which increase the pucker factor. The bottom line is that people who think they may not be up to that final section shouldn't attempt it. Those of us who have worked search and rescue in the southwest for many years really hate fighting to get some panicked tourist's frozen grip off the chain to get them back to safety. It's also very dangerous work. Caveat |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
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 |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
How tough are Zion Hikes?
"Caveat" wrote in message ... "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. A unclip and re-clip would only take a few seconds. I recently free climbed a 5.2 so I could set a toprope anchor. I was quite ill by the time I got to the top, despite not having fallen on anything under 5.8 in years. It is all in the mind. 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. Oh yes I do! As I crawled up the pyramid at Uxmal, little kids played tag on it. I really don't mind. (though my son might not want to be near me...) |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
How tough are Zion Hikes?
"Toller" wrote:
"Caveat" wrote: "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... A unclip and re-clip would only take a few seconds. Ah, but during those few seconds (repeated dozens of times) you are gulp unclipped. As in " If I slip here...." I recently free climbed a 5.2 so I could set a toprope anchor. Well then you certainly have the technical skills to do Angel's Landing. Unless exposure of, say, 1200' seems more "difficult" than, say, 30 feet. As you (and John Lennon) have observed: "It's all in the mind." Just remember my favorite climbing maxim: "It's not the consequence of a fall, but the likelihood of a fall that should concern you." Not very likely on Angel's Landing. I was quite ill by the time I got to the top, despite not having fallen on anything under 5.8 in years. Probably more people have died from falls under 5.8 than above that level, my friend. It is related to skill and experience. 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. Oh yes I do! As I crawled up the pyramid at Uxmal, little kids played tag on it. All those Mayan temples are steep. Chichen Itza's main temple climb isn't a place you would want to fall, either. But, for me, it was a lot less intimidating than the claustrophobic crawl up the Caracol tunnel at that park. Caveat |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Rough Guide is tough on England, says tourism chief | eetinBelgië | Europe | 94 | May 4th, 2006 10:32 PM |
Tough Choice and advice for the Caribbean... | Brett | Caribbean | 5 | January 14th, 2006 04:19 AM |
French New Tough Immigration controls | [email protected] | Europe | 4 | December 5th, 2005 09:11 PM |
Tough Scientific Work | SNUMBER6 | Cruises | 1 | June 26th, 2004 12:10 PM |