Zion Butte
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010


"Zion Butte" as seen on the drive to the "trailhead". The northwest ridge (our route) starts near the end of the road and goes to the highpoint on the right. "Zion Butte" is a ranked sub-summit of the Canaan Mountain massif. Canaan Mountain is behind "Zion Butte" in this picture.
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010


Kevin does some awkward scrambling as we search for a way onto the northwest ridge.
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010


The views of Smithsonian Butte (left) and into Zion National Park (right) are phenomenal from here.
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010


Someone has had a small campfire way up here!
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010


Smithsonian Butte is an awesome summit adventure.
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010


The scrambling on the ridge is fun and varied.
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010


Some chossy 4th class stuff.
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010


VERY COOL rocks on the ridge.
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010


Back down the choss.
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010


We tried to take a shortcut on the way down and managed to downclimb all but the last 20 feet. We rapped from a tree and then got our rope stuck. Doh! Kevin ended up climbing back up some exposed 4th class stuff to get it.
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010


Smithsonian Butte at sunset.
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Zion National Park
November 11, 2010


"Zion Butte" (right) at sunset.