May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Obscure "Flagpole Mountain" is our next objective.
Zion National Park
Obscure "Flagpole Mountain" is our next objective.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
A-bushwhackin' we will go. Andy's in the lead as he's made the trip twice before! Pretty sure he now holds the record for number of Flagpole Mountain ascents.
Zion National Park
A-bushwhackin' we will go. Andy's in the lead as he's made the trip twice before! Pretty sure he now holds the record for number of Flagpole Mountain ascents.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Mystery Canyon, our eventual descent route, is obvious in this picture. Right now we're aiming for the narrow saddle that connects the rim with Flagpole Mountain.
Zion National Park
Mystery Canyon, our eventual descent route, is obvious in this picture. Right now we're aiming for the narrow saddle that connects the rim with Flagpole Mountain.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Andy's the first one down a long and dirty rappel just above the saddle. To return from Flagpole Mountain you've either gotta leave a rope fixed here to ascend or plan on an alternate descent route (like Mystery Canyon).
Zion National Park
Andy's the first one down a long and dirty rappel just above the saddle. To return from Flagpole Mountain you've either gotta leave a rope fixed here to ascend or plan on an alternate descent route (like Mystery Canyon).
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Andy at the base of the rappel into the saddle. This is right before Dwight tried to kill us with a big rock while on rappel. Dodging it required fancy footwork on my part!
Zion National Park
Andy at the base of the rappel into the saddle. This is right before Dwight tried to kill us with a big rock while on rappel. Dodging it required fancy footwork on my part!
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Funky tree at the base of the rappel.
Zion National Park
Funky tree at the base of the rappel.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
From the bottom of the rappel its a short scramble down into the saddle proper.
Zion National Park
From the bottom of the rappel its a short scramble down into the saddle proper.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
The cliff face we rappelled towers above Kevin en route to the saddle.
Zion National Park
The cliff face we rappelled towers above Kevin en route to the saddle.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Andy leads a loose downclimb.
Zion National Park
Andy leads a loose downclimb.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Andy spots Kevin for the chossy Class 4+ downclimb.
Zion National Park
Andy spots Kevin for the chossy Class 4+ downclimb.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Summit in sight. Brush kinda sucks.
Zion National Park
Summit in sight. Brush kinda sucks.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
"Blew By Peak" actually looks like something from over here! We rapped down the far left side.
Zion National Park
"Blew By Peak" actually looks like something from over here! We rapped down the far left side.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
View down Zion Canyon. Angels Landing is just above and left of center.
Zion National Park
View down Zion Canyon. Angels Landing is just above and left of center.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Andy performing cactus removal on Dwight. We all got prickered up on this peak!
Zion National Park
Andy performing cactus removal on Dwight. We all got prickered up on this peak!
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
From the saddle we begin the next chapter of today's adventure: descending the steep and grungy east face of Flagpole Mountain into Mystery Canyon below.
Zion National Park
From the saddle we begin the next chapter of today's adventure: descending the steep and grungy east face of Flagpole Mountain into Mystery Canyon below.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Dwight above upper Mystery Canyon.
Zion National Park
Dwight above upper Mystery Canyon.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
This was the sketchiest of the rappels. The loose dirt slope at the start easily gave way under our feet. Notice the dust Kevin's kicking up! I don't know how the tree we're rapping from is staying in place on this slope... rappel gently!
Zion National Park
This was the sketchiest of the rappels. The loose dirt slope at the start easily gave way under our feet. Notice the dust Kevin's kicking up! I don't know how the tree we're rapping from is staying in place on this slope... rappel gently!
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Dwight on the third rappel. Andy makes sure the ropes don't get tangled.
Zion National Park
Dwight on the third rappel. Andy makes sure the ropes don't get tangled.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
This part of the canyon is often a small lake. No such luck today. Swimming sounds great right now.
Zion National Park
This part of the canyon is often a small lake. No such luck today. Swimming sounds great right now.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Dwight disconnecting from the 2nd to last rappel.
Zion National Park
Dwight disconnecting from the 2nd to last rappel.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Andy bravely jugs the rope up the slimy chute to unstick it from a boulder I got it stuck on. Thanks Andy! Hero of the day :)
Zion National Park
Andy bravely jugs the rope up the slimy chute to unstick it from a boulder I got it stuck on. Thanks Andy! Hero of the day :)
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
A few downclimbs through flowing water are interesting.
Zion National Park
A few downclimbs through flowing water are interesting.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Getting cold water in your pants is a good motivator and seems to inspire downclimbing confidence!
Zion National Park
Getting cold water in your pants is a good motivator and seems to inspire downclimbing confidence!
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Kevin finishing the rappel down the slimy wall complete with a small waterfall!
Zion National Park
Kevin finishing the rappel down the slimy wall complete with a small waterfall!
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Looking down into the famous Zion Narrows from the top of the exciting final rappel in Mystery Canyon.
Zion National Park
Looking down into the famous Zion Narrows from the top of the exciting final rappel in Mystery Canyon.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
And he slips after explaining to us several times how to complete the rappel without slipping on the slime and bashing ourselves around. Classic!
Zion National Park
And he slips after explaining to us several times how to complete the rappel without slipping on the slime and bashing ourselves around. Classic!
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Cleaning up after the final rappel. The small waterfall we rapped down is visible in the forground.
Zion National Park
Cleaning up after the final rappel. The small waterfall we rapped down is visible in the forground.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Andy's turn at the spectacular finish.
Zion National Park
Andy's turn at the spectacular finish.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
We were cheered on by tourists walking the Narrows who stopped to gawk at us. They especially liked Dwight's performance.
Zion National Park
We were cheered on by tourists walking the Narrows who stopped to gawk at us. They especially liked Dwight's performance.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Kevin's digging this! Who wouldn't?
Zion National Park
Kevin's digging this! Who wouldn't?
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
The hike out the Narrows is just what the doctor ordered after a long day in the heat.
Zion National Park
The hike out the Narrows is just what the doctor ordered after a long day in the heat.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
The Narrows is a great hiking destination in and of itself.
Zion National Park
The Narrows is a great hiking destination in and of itself.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Kevin topping out after a cruxy, loose Class 4+ upclimb as we begin ascending from the saddle toward the summit of Flagpole Mountain.
Zion National Park
Kevin topping out after a cruxy, loose Class 4+ upclimb as we begin ascending from the saddle toward the summit of Flagpole Mountain.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Dwight on Flagpole Mountain. Great views!
Zion National Park
Dwight on Flagpole Mountain. Great views!
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Dwight on the first (and least unpleasant) of four rappels.
Zion National Park
Dwight on the first (and least unpleasant) of four rappels.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
From the bottom of the fourth and final rappel we bomb down a loose slope toward the canyon bottom taking care not to knock rocks on each other. Again notice the dust!
Zion National Park
From the bottom of the fourth and final rappel we bomb down a loose slope toward the canyon bottom taking care not to knock rocks on each other. Again notice the dust!
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
FINALLY in Mystery Canyon.
Zion National Park
FINALLY in Mystery Canyon.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Dwight and Kevin wait for their turn to rappel as the canyon starts slotting up.
Zion National Park
Dwight and Kevin wait for their turn to rappel as the canyon starts slotting up.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Andy's the director of rope management today. He's the rope stuffer. I'm the rope cleaner/feeder, Kevin's the rope puller and Dwight's the scoper aheader. Over a dozen rapid fire rappels force us to hone our teamwork to maximize efficiency.
Zion National Park
Andy's the director of rope management today. He's the rope stuffer. I'm the rope cleaner/feeder, Kevin's the rope puller and Dwight's the scoper aheader. Over a dozen rapid fire rappels force us to hone our teamwork to maximize efficiency.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Andy hiking up and over the debris pile that created the lake several years ago. A HUGE chunk of the canyon wall cleaved off! Geologic time is NOW.
Zion National Park
Andy hiking up and over the debris pile that created the lake several years ago. A HUGE chunk of the canyon wall cleaved off! Geologic time is NOW.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Short downclimb on a polished log. There were several of these.
Zion National Park
Short downclimb on a polished log. There were several of these.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Kevin rapping into a lush green wonderland.
Zion National Park
Kevin rapping into a lush green wonderland.
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Here's where Mystery Canyon gets incredible. Water at last! There is actually water seeping out of the sandstone!
Zion National Park
Here's where Mystery Canyon gets incredible. Water at last! There is actually water seeping out of the sandstone!
May 19, 2012
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
Zion National Park
There is much rejoicing when we summit "Blew By Peak" after bushwhacking a couple minutes off trail on the approach to "Flagpole Mountain" and Mystery Canyon. Pretty lame peak but its a *ranked* lame peak!