"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
"Aires Butte" comes into view, a fitting acme of the swirling slickrock. Notice CP and Ed traversing steep slabs on the far right.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
"Aires Butte" comes into view, a fitting acme of the swirling slickrock. Notice CP and Ed traversing steep slabs on the far right.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
This area was coined "The Center of the Universe" by a local.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
This area was coined "The Center of the Universe" by a local.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Dominic gazes up at the south face of "Aires Butte".
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Dominic gazes up at the south face of "Aires Butte".
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
CP stands at the base of the first technical pitch as Dominic approaches. Its been damp in Zion and CP, having done the climb many times, will go first to assess the state of the sandstone.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
CP stands at the base of the first technical pitch as Dominic approaches. Its been damp in Zion and CP, having done the climb many times, will go first to assess the state of the sandstone.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
CP prepares for the first pitch. "Nippletop" (center) and "South Ariel Peak" (right) are behind him. Notice the wet patch on the slickrock on the far right.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
CP prepares for the first pitch. "Nippletop" (center) and "South Ariel Peak" (right) are behind him. Notice the wet patch on the slickrock on the far right.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
CP leads the first pitch for Team #1: himself and Double A. Four quickdraws are all you need for this climb! The bolts are widely spaced but thoughtfully placed.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
CP leads the first pitch for Team #1: himself and Double A. Four quickdraws are all you need for this climb! The bolts are widely spaced but thoughtfully placed.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Luba leads P1 for Team #3: herself and Ed. I'm ready to take off on lead up P2 for Team #2: Dominic & I. We had three teams of two and everyone swapped leads within teams. This made for very efficient climbing.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Luba leads P1 for Team #3: herself and Ed. I'm ready to take off on lead up P2 for Team #2: Dominic & I. We had three teams of two and everyone swapped leads within teams. This made for very efficient climbing.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
CP starts off following P2, pulling perhaps the toughest moves of the climb on smooth, sandy slab.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
CP starts off following P2, pulling perhaps the toughest moves of the climb on smooth, sandy slab.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
CP negotiating the crux at the start of P2.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
CP negotiating the crux at the start of P2.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Dominic and Luba belaying at the top of P1.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Dominic and Luba belaying at the top of P1.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Ed leads up P2.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Ed leads up P2.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Ed nearing the top of P2.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Ed nearing the top of P2.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Dominic following P4.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Dominic following P4.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Magnificent vista to the south. "South Ariel Peak" is in the foreground. "Nippletop", "The Fin", "The Triplets", and "Lost Peak" (left to right) make up the background.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Magnificent vista to the south. "South Ariel Peak" is in the foreground. "Nippletop", "The Fin", "The Triplets", and "Lost Peak" (left to right) make up the background.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
With 6 60 meter ropes between the 6 of us and some teamwork we make a quick descent of the four technical pitches. Here Dominic and Double A simulrap the top pitch.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
With 6 60 meter ropes between the 6 of us and some teamwork we make a quick descent of the four technical pitches. Here Dominic and Double A simulrap the top pitch.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Ropes atop P3 pre-rigged by CP and I, Dominic and Double A hop off rappel and then right back on simulrappel. They're armed with two more ropes to rig the next rappel.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Ropes atop P3 pre-rigged by CP and I, Dominic and Double A hop off rappel and then right back on simulrappel. They're armed with two more ropes to rig the next rappel.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Ed and Double A chat at the bottom of the technical difficulties.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Ed and Double A chat at the bottom of the technical difficulties.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
CP and Dominic begin the short but scenic slickrock descent.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
CP and Dominic begin the short but scenic slickrock descent.
"Aires Butte" - Led By Sheep (5.6)
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Dominic, Ed and Luba at The Center of The Universe.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
Dominic, Ed and Luba at The Center of The Universe.
Zion National Park
April 21, 2011
After a short stroll up Petroglyph Canyon we exit east and begin to make our way up slickrock slabs, aiming for the col between "Aires Butte" and "South Ariel Peak". As evidenced by webbing around a tree, some climbers feel the need to rappel part of this on the way down (totally unnecessary for experienced slickrock scramblers). On our descent we ran into a party of two who were roping up here... coincidentally, they identified themselves as among those who had to be rescued from the Subway the day before... hmmm...