Zion/Grand Canyon Success

We made it to the top of the iconic Angel’s Landing Rock Formation in Zion National Park, Climbing for Grant Mauldin, Terry Bowen and Andrew Miller with my colleague Brian Lane who climbed with us before in Yosemite. On the summit day he wore a shirt that says, “Kidney Cancer, I treat it and I BEAT IT!”

Grand Canyon

Our trip began at the Grand Canyon. We were on the South Rim. We watched the sunset from Yavapai Point, caused an eclipse and then next day hiked down the South Kaibab Trail to Skeleton Point.

The Grand Canyon was spectacular! We climbed about 7-8 miles through this arid country with a large tennis ball Dr. Lane brought from the US Open

Grand Canyon was reverse climbing, the first part is easy (going down). Then you have to come back up (2000+ feet)

Zions National Park

Then we drove to Zions National Park about 4 hours away. We had two main objectives, climbing Angel’s Landing for Andrew, Grant and Terry, but we decided we were going to try Canyoneering for Kidney Cancer this year as well. Our goal was Mystery Canyon.

Angel’s Landing is a spectacular hike/climb, it is not technical given the extensive chains and posts making it accessible to hikers without the need for specialized gear and ropes like many of our other climbs

Mystery Canyon

Mystery Canyon starts about 12 miles away from the Zions Narrows. We descended about 3000 feet over 12 miles by hiking, down climbing, and ~15 rappels. Then we came to the grand finale: rapelling into the Zion Narrows to a clapping crowd of about 40-50 people.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Finally we drove over to Bryce Canyon. This terrain was very different from both Grand Canyon and Zions National Park.