Peak Climbed: "South Ariel Peak"

Peak Height: 6,280'

Route: South Slopes

Difficulty: Class 4

Location: Zion National Park, Utah

Trailhead: UT-9 pullout

Mileage & Gain: 1.7 mi & 1,300 ft RT

Date Climbed: November 20, 2018

South Ariel Peak is a beautiful slickrock dome situated very close to the road that winds through the east side of the park. It was one of my first Zion summits and the spicy fourth class slabs on the southeast side terrified me. I was looking forward to returning for a carefree romp up the aesthetic (and supposedly 2nd class) south slopes with Kevin.

We cranked up the steep and clean southern slickrock slopes until stopped by a 5th class headwall. We'd failed to read the route description and wasted some time before figuring out that we needed to traverse a ledge system on the west side of the peak. The traverse wasn't difficult but it was loose and somewhat exposed and felt a little spooky - certainly more interesting than we'd expected. The route finishes on the north ridge with a couple of 4th class moves required to pull onto the slightly overhung summit.

This is a pretty nice outing, but don't go expecting a 2nd class walk in the park! There is a hint of spice.