Access gully
Gully used to access the northwest ridge of Tabernacle Dome. 5.2ish climbing and plenty of bushes make it an interesting undertaking.
A short but fun climb up an intersting sandstone dome
Gully used to access the northwest ridge of Tabernacle Dome. 5.2ish climbing and plenty of bushes make it an interesting undertaking.
Dwight making his was up typical terrain in the gully. Using a rope in such brush isn't appealing, but we did mange two short rappels on the way down without too much hassle.
Dwight frictioning up smooth, water-polished sandstone near the top of the gully.
Lambs Knoll as seen from the top of the gully. The easiest route to the summit is reportedly 3rd class and requires some routefinding. Lambs Knoll sits on the western boundary of Zion National Park.
Dwight making his way over easy terrain towards the northwest ridge.
These steep slabs (5.0) on the northwest ridge made for fun climbing. Although the moves are easy, huge exposure makes this a very serious pitch. A fall would most likely be fatal. The pitch is unprotectable, so Dwight climbed up and and gave me a belay using a convenient tree.
The slabs look much steeper from above. Downclimbing them would be spicy. Notice the house below.
Dwight scrambling up easier terrain above the slabs and just below the summit. Red Butte can be seen in the background.
The elusive South Guardian Angel as seen from the summit of Tabernacle Dome. With a long, physically demanding approach and complicated routefinding, this peak takes a lot of effort to climb.
Dwight on the final steps to the summit of Tabernacle Dome. The register indicated that this peak only sees about one visit per year! The pointy peak in the background is North Guardian Angel, a classic Zion climb.
North Guardian Angel as seen from the summit of Tabernacle Dome. Unlike South Guardian Angel, North Guardian Angel can be climbed in half a day or so.
Me on the summit of Tabernacle Dome. The unmistakable profiles of The West Temple and Mount Kinesava can be seen in the background on the left.
Dwight rappelling down the steep slabs. A sturdy tree provides a good anchor. Its 50 meters from the tree to the base of the slabs so two ropes are needed.
Dwight descending the steep access gully.