Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
For the most part the route is well marked by yellow and red paint.
April 10, 2012
For the most part the route is well marked by yellow and red paint.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
A steep staircase of sorts marks the start of a highly improbable route up through the cliffs on the east face of Lady Mountain. This route was constructed by the Park Service way back in 1925. 1400 steps were chiseled into the soft sandstone and 2000 feet of cable and 2 ladders were installed. In the late 70's it was deemed too dangerous, the "trail" was closed, and all of the hardware removed. Today bold scramblers can still make use of it to reach the summit!
April 10, 2012
A steep staircase of sorts marks the start of a highly improbable route up through the cliffs on the east face of Lady Mountain. This route was constructed by the Park Service way back in 1925. 1400 steps were chiseled into the soft sandstone and 2000 feet of cable and 2 ladders were installed. In the late 70's it was deemed too dangerous, the "trail" was closed, and all of the hardware removed. Today bold scramblers can still make use of it to reach the summit!
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Carved steps turn this 5th class slab obstacle into a steep 3rd class scramble.
April 10, 2012
Carved steps turn this 5th class slab obstacle into a steep 3rd class scramble.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh with Zion Lodge below.
April 10, 2012
Josh with Zion Lodge below.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy carefully scrambling up a tricky section of rock. The steps have really eroded, especially near the bottom here.
April 10, 2012
Andy carefully scrambling up a tricky section of rock. The steps have really eroded, especially near the bottom here.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Crux #1: A deep chimney. A couple of 5.6ish moves over MUCH air are required. There is one bolt at the bottom of the chimney for anchoring a belayer and one bolt at the top for belaying seconds and rapping on the way down. A BD #2 cam can be placed reasonably well but is not really necessary for a confident climber/scrambler. We rope up, I lead and then belay Andy & Josh up.
April 10, 2012
Crux #1: A deep chimney. A couple of 5.6ish moves over MUCH air are required. There is one bolt at the bottom of the chimney for anchoring a belayer and one bolt at the top for belaying seconds and rapping on the way down. A BD #2 cam can be placed reasonably well but is not really necessary for a confident climber/scrambler. We rope up, I lead and then belay Andy & Josh up.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy holds onto a pine tree for protection as he traverses a narrow, exposed ledge. Cables used to serve this purpose. Today trees are the best we can do.
April 10, 2012
Andy holds onto a pine tree for protection as he traverses a narrow, exposed ledge. Cables used to serve this purpose. Today trees are the best we can do.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy continues to traverse the exposed ledge system running south on Lady Mountain's east face.
April 10, 2012
Andy continues to traverse the exposed ledge system running south on Lady Mountain's east face.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
This way! Don't trip!
April 10, 2012
This way! Don't trip!
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Partway up Lady Mountain we veer off the "trail" and take a detour toward Mount Moroni. This rubble gully with a dead tree marks our departure location.
April 10, 2012
Partway up Lady Mountain we veer off the "trail" and take a detour toward Mount Moroni. This rubble gully with a dead tree marks our departure location.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh hikes up a nifty little slot en route to the top of Mount Moroni.
April 10, 2012
Josh hikes up a nifty little slot en route to the top of Mount Moroni.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Mighty Jacob towers above Andy as we near Mount Moroni.
April 10, 2012
Mighty Jacob towers above Andy as we near Mount Moroni.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy and Josh scramble up a tricky spot.
April 10, 2012
Andy and Josh scramble up a tricky spot.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Mighty Isaac comes into full view as we climb higher.
April 10, 2012
Mighty Isaac comes into full view as we climb higher.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy, Josh & Jacob.
April 10, 2012
Andy, Josh & Jacob.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy approaching the summit of Mount Moroni with its north ridge in the background.
April 10, 2012
Andy approaching the summit of Mount Moroni with its north ridge in the background.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy just below the summit with great views down into Zion Canyon.
April 10, 2012
Andy just below the summit with great views down into Zion Canyon.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy & Josh on Mount Moroni.
April 10, 2012
Andy & Josh on Mount Moroni.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
View west into the Court of the Patriarchs from the summit of Mount Moroni.
April 10, 2012
View west into the Court of the Patriarchs from the summit of Mount Moroni.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Yet another shot of Jacob.
April 10, 2012
Yet another shot of Jacob.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy on the descent from Mount Moroni.
April 10, 2012
Andy on the descent from Mount Moroni.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
After regaining the Lady Mountain "trail" we soon come to the second crux of the route: a 12 foot open book. This one's a little tougher, 5.7, but its short and not exposed. Andy bravely tackles it first. Notice the old, now useless hardware on the left wall.
April 10, 2012
After regaining the Lady Mountain "trail" we soon come to the second crux of the route: a 12 foot open book. This one's a little tougher, 5.7, but its short and not exposed. Andy bravely tackles it first. Notice the old, now useless hardware on the left wall.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy gets a little help from Josh and manages to overcome the obstacle without feeling the need for a rope. Nice work Andy!
April 10, 2012
Andy gets a little help from Josh and manages to overcome the obstacle without feeling the need for a rope. Nice work Andy!
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh tops out above crux #2.
April 10, 2012
Josh tops out above crux #2.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy scrambling further up Lady Mountain.
April 10, 2012
Andy scrambling further up Lady Mountain.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy & Josh take a break at a cool alcove along the trail.
April 10, 2012
Andy & Josh take a break at a cool alcove along the trail.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh and a bunch of red paint marking the way.
April 10, 2012
Josh and a bunch of red paint marking the way.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh climbing up an exposed, 4th class chute. There was a rappel anchor at the top of this section but we didn't need it.
April 10, 2012
Josh climbing up an exposed, 4th class chute. There was a rappel anchor at the top of this section but we didn't need it.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh atop Lady Mountain's east face cliffs.
April 10, 2012
Josh atop Lady Mountain's east face cliffs.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
From here its a 10 minute hike to the top of Lady Mountain.
April 10, 2012
From here its a 10 minute hike to the top of Lady Mountain.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Top of Lady Mountain! Its my 2nd time here.
April 10, 2012
Top of Lady Mountain! Its my 2nd time here.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
The distinctive red alcove on Cathedral Mountain is obvious from here.
April 10, 2012
The distinctive red alcove on Cathedral Mountain is obvious from here.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh beginning the descent.
April 10, 2012
Josh beginning the descent.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Careful here! Slip on the dirt and you'll fall over a sheer cliff face thats at least hundreds of feet tall!
April 10, 2012
Careful here! Slip on the dirt and you'll fall over a sheer cliff face thats at least hundreds of feet tall!
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh above the Virgin River.
April 10, 2012
Josh above the Virgin River.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh carefully making his was up the exposed Moki steps.
April 10, 2012
Josh carefully making his was up the exposed Moki steps.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Yellow arrows point the way.
April 10, 2012
Yellow arrows point the way.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh approaching one of two cruxes of the route. There used to be a ladder here!
April 10, 2012
Josh approaching one of two cruxes of the route. There used to be a ladder here!
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Yikes, its clear there is no room for error here!
April 10, 2012
Yikes, its clear there is no room for error here!
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh hikes along the narrow ledge.
April 10, 2012
Josh hikes along the narrow ledge.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy gazes ahead to the summit of Mount Moroni. Time for some bushwhacking!
April 10, 2012
Andy gazes ahead to the summit of Mount Moroni. Time for some bushwhacking!
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Routefinding our way to the top of Mount Moroni. Just can't get enough of Jacob! Too bad I'll never get to climb that one.
April 10, 2012
Routefinding our way to the top of Mount Moroni. Just can't get enough of Jacob! Too bad I'll never get to climb that one.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Isaac as seen from the top of Mount Moroni.
April 10, 2012
Isaac as seen from the top of Mount Moroni.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Above the second crux we found the trail a little difficult to follow in a couple spots.
April 10, 2012
Above the second crux we found the trail a little difficult to follow in a couple spots.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
The summit of Lady Mountain is finally visible. Still a ways to go.
April 10, 2012
The summit of Lady Mountain is finally visible. Still a ways to go.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh high above Zion Lodge.
April 10, 2012
Josh high above Zion Lodge.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy leads the way across another exposed ledge.
April 10, 2012
Andy leads the way across another exposed ledge.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh and Andy carefully descend an exposed section. We're tired and this is no time to get sloppy!
April 10, 2012
Josh and Andy carefully descend an exposed section. We're tired and this is no time to get sloppy!
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
We take it one step at a time.
April 10, 2012
We take it one step at a time.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh rappels the upper crux from an exisiting anchor. Last time I was here there was so anchor.
April 10, 2012
Josh rappels the upper crux from an exisiting anchor. Last time I was here there was so anchor.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Josh rapping the lower crux from an eyebolt.
April 10, 2012
Josh rapping the lower crux from an eyebolt.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Andy oozes down a worn out staircase. In its current state this section is low 5th class near the bottom.
April 10, 2012
Andy oozes down a worn out staircase. In its current state this section is low 5th class near the bottom.
Zion National Park
April 10, 2012
Battle scars & beers, Visitor Center parking lot :)
April 10, 2012
Battle scars & beers, Visitor Center parking lot :)
April 10, 2012
Looking up Zion Canyon and the Virgin River from the Emerald Pools Trail.