The Latest Rave is your resource for Utah Canyoneering know-how. From Utah canyon condition reports to narratives of mind-bending epics to wildflower sightings, you will find all the beta you need from Tom and his team on The Rave.
I have some bruised ribs, so I am not up for much right now, but I could not resist getting out to my closest Zion trail to shoot some flowers. It rained last month, almost every day. Now we have had a week or two of hot weather, so the flowers are out something FANTASTIC! All shots here at near the East Entrance trailhead to the East Rim Trail… and actually within 100 yards of the parking lot. SO many blooms out. No mosquitoes. Hot hot hot though…
Read MoreThe anticipation of it all was next level on this trip. My first
Grand trip was scheduled in January but life had a different
plan for me. The same weekend as my trip, I ended up fighting
for my life in emergency surgery instead. Surprise!
On the fringe of Zion National Park lies the little sister of the famous Zion Narrows. Parunuweap Canyon holds the smaller East Fork of the Virgin River, rather than the North Fork that runs through the more famous (and popular/crowded) Narrows. Kat2 (Katherine H) from Hurricane was looking to go backpacking for the very first time - this seemed like a good choice. Flat, local, not too long, secluded, beautiful...
Read MoreAfter the Live Like Louis fest, a group of us wandered up Lady Mountain on a fine November day. Not all that eventful, really. We went up. There was some snow near the top that made finding the trail more difficult, and then getting back over to it quite dicey once we found it. Lynn and I put in a bolt above the second step,for rappel and belay. With greater popularity of this route, it seemed like a good idea...
Read MoreZion. Tabernacle Dome. A fine easy climb before pigging out on Thanksgiving victuals. What an amazing fall we have been having. The warm, sunny weather has persisted, and it seems our obligation to take advantage. Tabernacle Dome (or Turtle Rock) seemed like a good choice for a pre-feast romp - half-day, not too far, mostly just fun fun fun.
Read MoreDirty, loose, scary, confusing. Rotting fixed ropes festoon the route. "I've never been so scared on 5.5!"
Edited description:
Read MoreTogether we formed Team Twilight, as we seemed to struggle with getting going before noon, and completed many of our activities just as the sun sank past the horizon.
Read MoreLooking for a canyon that would be dry, we thought - HEY! How about Hog 2! COULD be the driest canyon around, maybe maybe not. We decided to do the Ridge of Many Huge Holes Ramble to get up there, which would save us a car spot.
Read MoreA great time to be in the wild, but with the wetness and all, not a great time to do canyons. What else was around? How about Ryan's ramble out to the Yellow Brick Road and Tik Tok Bridge?
Read MoreBrandt Hart from Bluff was visiting the Zion area, and looking to get out and enjoy the sunshine (what there was of it). We thought Angels Landing might be adventurous in a small way, suitable for a days outing…
Read MoreGreg Cornelius really wanted to do Pine Creek with flow, so after a little precip reported, he rounded up Jason Robertson and I for a Pine Creek. Uh, no flow, sorry Greg...
Read MoreNow two plus days removed from any substantial weather, it is time to say adieu to Arches. She has served us well, provided treats, kept us safe, while the rest of the canyon world found its way back "into condition."
Read MoreThe next day was in the Fractured Fairyland. We awoke to low clouds and drove back towards the park. This Fairyland is a complex area of passage ways. It can be quite physical and is a ton of fun.
Read MoreThat afternoon, after getting back to the car, we headed off to a panel of rock art, not more than a hundred yards off a major park trail. Some know of it, most don't. Heard there are many such places in the park.
Read MoreRain or snow, everyday. 40-80%, depending on the day or night specified. Makes someone who didn't know better want to go home
Read MoreWith the river up (Orderville out) and Jerry challenged by the technical stuff, we decided to hike the East Rim trail, from the East Entrance down Echo Canyon, as a consolation prize.
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