Angels Landing
Angels Landing from the West Rim Trail. The Virgin River can be seen more than 1,000 feet below.
A full day hike and scramble to two obscure summits
Angels Landing from the West Rim Trail. The Virgin River can be seen more than 1,000 feet below.
"The Bodhisattva" (left) and "Sneak Peak" (just left of center) as seen from near the point at which the route leaves the comfort of the West Rim Trail.
"Sneak Peak" as seen on the approach to "The Bodhisattva". We hope to have time to climb it this afternoon if all goes well.
The approach to "The Bodhisattva" passes through an enchanted little forest with a remote feel. Enjoy the solitude.
Finally we set eyes on our ticket to the summit: the South Buttress. It sure looks steep!
Dominic poses at the base of the somewhat intimidating South Buttress.
As we begin scrambling up the South Buttress we spy a beautiful waterfall off to the west. There is a lot of snow melting up high.
Rock shoes are a big help for this low 5th class crack. It is not difficult but it is dirty. Exposure is minimal. Feet jams work well.
The crux of the route for us is the sandy, crumbly slab above the crack. Even with rock shoes the footing isn't solid. The moves are very low 5th class but the dirtiness magnifies their seriousness. A fall could mean a long, painful pendulum over low angle sandstone.
Above the crux the terrain mellows.
The South Buttress is a truly aesthetic line: steep and smooth. I love looking at it. Its dirtiness and obscure location will surely deter most scramblers though.
The flat-topped "Sneak Peak" as seen from "The Bodhisattva".
Looking back at the approach from the summit plateau. The south ridge of "The Bodhisattva" is in the foreground. We hiked up the valley to the right (west) of it to reach the steep South Buttress.
Dominic hikes across the summit mesa toward the highgpoint of "The Bodhisattva". There is a strangely serene and remote feel here on this little oasis surrounded by plunging cliffs.
Dominic touches the top of the "The Bodhisattva": an odd-shaped, precariously overhanging boulder.
Dominic carefully descends the South Buttress.
Dominic raps down the sketchy slabs.
Dominic hikes along the south ridge of "Sneak Peak".
Dominic and "Sneak Peak" from the south ridge of "Sneak Peak".
"The Bodhisattva" as seen from the summit mesa of "Sneak Peak".
Dominic on the descent of "Sneak Peak".
Dominic traverses some thin ledges on "Sneak Peak".
The Mountain of Mystery. This peak is high in my list!