Peak Name: The East Temple

Peak Height: 7,709'

Location: Zion National Park

Trailhead: Canyon Overlook

Route: Mountaineers Route

Difficulty: 5.4 R

Length of Climb: 4 roped pitches

Round Trip Stats: 4 mi, 2800 ft

Date Climbed: 11/28/2015

Precisely two years ago, on Thanksgiving Day 2013, Dom and I tackled The East Temple. This November 28th we returned for another visit with our friends and fellow Zion fanatics Giles & Julie.

Today we took a different variation out of the v-notch, staying in the prominant gully instead of escaping to the steep slabs on climbers left. The gully is much less sustained and generally the more comfy of the two options, but the crux at the top of the gully is considerably tougher than anything on the slab variation. The slab is highly exposed and sustatined at Class 4 - 5.2; last time we managed it unroped in our sticky canyoneers.

Yet another special day on a Zion classic!