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How tough are Zion Hikes?



 
 
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  #1  
Old May 8th, 2007, 07:37 PM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Toller
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Posts: 59
Default 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  
Old May 9th, 2007, 01:19 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Craig
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Posts: 29
Default 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  
Old May 9th, 2007, 04:16 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Toller
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Posts: 59
Default 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  
Old May 9th, 2007, 04:36 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Todd Michel McComb
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Posts: 120
Default 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  
Old May 9th, 2007, 05:28 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Toller
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Posts: 59
Default 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  
Old May 9th, 2007, 06:02 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Todd Michel McComb
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 120
Default 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  
Old May 9th, 2007, 06:03 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Caveat
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Posts: 38
Default 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  
Old May 9th, 2007, 06:20 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Caveat
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 38
Default 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  
Old May 9th, 2007, 06:35 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Toller
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 59
Default 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  
Old May 9th, 2007, 07:10 AM posted to rec.travel.usa-canada
Caveat
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 38
Default 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
 




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