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!”
Chris Weight on top of a knob at the summit of Angel’s Landing holding a photo of Terry and his wife at Venice Beach-To read more about Terry’s story click here Hudson Weight holding a photo of Grant as a jockey. Grant still works with horses today and is a Doctor himself Hudson Weight holding a photo of Andrew Miller on a Cruise in Argentina We found a couple on top who were wearing orange and black and had climbed for a friend with cancer as well so we took a group photo looking north
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.
Its like 5000 feet down! Man-made eclipse on the South Rim Brian and Hudson at Cedar Ridge Raven looking out from Yavapai Point It was hot, but fortunately we never ended up like this guy
Ooo Ah Point Sunrise Cedar Ridge Pretty grim at Skeleton Point South Rim Sunset Obligatory Picture with the sign
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.
Angels Landing
Sunset from the east Don’t worry, they’re not lethal Yes that is the trail Natural Stairmaster Hudson looking up the last exposed climbing Keep your eyes up Dr. Lane did great Hudson is nearing the top The main risk here is others may stumble Coming up the last exposed part A few man-made steps for stability Looking back at the fin we crossed Chris and Hudson on the Summit
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.
Mystery Canyon from the top We noticed this blood then noted the dry air caused a nosebleed With no tissue, we used some wilderness medicine (Oak leaves) The approach was tricky through thick brush Brian showing his scratches The cool slot canyon gets real Brain prepares to descend Hudson going where very few 13 year olds have gone These narrow slots are notoriously dangerous places for flash floods Hudson with a little trouble getting off the rope The hanging garden nearing the end with the 110 ft rappel At the end we were walking in the river Here’s the final rappel down the Mystery Canyon Waterfall-What a spectacular day The Zions Narrows, We were safely down
Bryce Canyon National Park
Finally we drove over to Bryce Canyon. This terrain was very different from both Grand Canyon and Zions National Park.
Hudson at Inspiration Point Upper Inspiration Point Wall Street – How does that tree grow there? Navajo Loop Hudson with Thor’s Hammer Windows on the Navajo Loop
