Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Andy approaching Aires Butte. The only route on this slickrock dome goes up the right skyline.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Andy approaching Aires Butte. The only route on this slickrock dome goes up the right skyline.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh and Andy at the Center of the Universe.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh and Andy at the Center of the Universe.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
South Ariel Peak (the big white peak behind us) served as my introduction to Zion slickrock four years ago.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
South Ariel Peak (the big white peak behind us) served as my introduction to Zion slickrock four years ago.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Andy's geared up for the climb. The trees in the background make for a nice spot to stash hiking shoes and any other superfluous gear.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Andy's geared up for the climb. The trees in the background make for a nice spot to stash hiking shoes and any other superfluous gear.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Andy and Josh at the base of the technical portion of the route known as Led By Sheep. Its called this because the first ascent party (well first HUMAN ascent party) observed and followed the line taken by bighorn sheep!
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Andy and Josh at the base of the technical portion of the route known as Led By Sheep. Its called this because the first ascent party (well first HUMAN ascent party) observed and followed the line taken by bighorn sheep!
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Looking down the first of four pitches, the crux pitch in our opinion. On lead it can be tricky spotting the next bolt/pin because they are so far apart. The pitches are roughly 150 feet long and protected by only 3 or 4 fixed pieces. Luckily those pieces are very thoughtfully placed at tricky sections. Andy & Josh are on the left down there. On the right is a party of two totally non-english speaking Russians. They were happy to see us coming as they screwed up and only brought a single rope! I untied their rope from the anchor after they did a single strand rappel to get down.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Looking down the first of four pitches, the crux pitch in our opinion. On lead it can be tricky spotting the next bolt/pin because they are so far apart. The pitches are roughly 150 feet long and protected by only 3 or 4 fixed pieces. Luckily those pieces are very thoughtfully placed at tricky sections. Andy & Josh are on the left down there. On the right is a party of two totally non-english speaking Russians. They were happy to see us coming as they screwed up and only brought a single rope! I untied their rope from the anchor after they did a single strand rappel to get down.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Andy coming up P1.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Andy coming up P1.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh and Andy chillin' at the first belay.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh and Andy chillin' at the first belay.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh is ready to belay me up the next pitch.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh is ready to belay me up the next pitch.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Aires Butte is absolutely one of my favorite vantage points in Zion National Park. The white dome in the foreground is South Ariel Peak. The pointy-topped one behind it is Nippletop.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Aires Butte is absolutely one of my favorite vantage points in Zion National Park. The white dome in the foreground is South Ariel Peak. The pointy-topped one behind it is Nippletop.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh on P3.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh on P3.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh and Andy simulclimbing.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh and Andy simulclimbing.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Andy & Josh arriving at the 3rd and final belay station.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Andy & Josh arriving at the 3rd and final belay station.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
From the top of P4 its a short and easy scramble to the top of Aires Butte.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
From the top of P4 its a short and easy scramble to the top of Aires Butte.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh beginning the descent.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh beginning the descent.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Andy on the first of four rappels. This one only takes a single rope but all the others require two.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Andy on the first of four rappels. This one only takes a single rope but all the others require two.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh and Andy at one of the bolted belay/rap stations.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh and Andy at one of the bolted belay/rap stations.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh and Andy learn how to simulrappel on the final two rappels.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Josh and Andy learn how to simulrappel on the final two rappels.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Descending Aires Butte after another amazingly fun ascent.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Descending Aires Butte after another amazingly fun ascent.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
We haven't bathed in 4 days, what do you expect?!
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
We haven't bathed in 4 days, what do you expect?!
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Plus we have black hands from my filthy rope!
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Plus we have black hands from my filthy rope!
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
View toward the Guardian Angels and Tabernacle Dome from camp on Kolob Terrace.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
View toward the Guardian Angels and Tabernacle Dome from camp on Kolob Terrace.
Led By Sheep [5.6]
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
View toward Pine Valley Peak (left) from camp.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
View toward Pine Valley Peak (left) from camp.
Zion National Park
April 8, 2012
Petroglyphs seen along the short approach to Aires Butte.