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Zion climbing in the Spring

Original Post
Stymingersfink · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 1,035

I was down in Zion over the weekend, and I've gotta say that conditions couldn't have been better. Sunny, not too warm yet, and almost NO-ONE on the walls!

Sure, a team or two moving up Moonlight, someone on Touchstone, a couple guys free-climbing Spaceshot (i didn't slow them up at all) and a few random craggers at the Organ. Other than that? Just your average everyday touristas. That was it.

Soon it will be too friggin hot to climb there. Your loss, i guess.

John McNamee · · Littleton, CO · Joined Jul 2002 · Points: 1,690

I'm heading down there in just over a week ...

JamesW · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 285

Sounds like the normal traffic in Zion...I've been there about a dozen times and there's never too many climbers.

Hopefully Zion will never see the traffic that IC is subjected to.

Fat Dad · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 60

That doesn't sound uncrowded. In fact, what your describing is probably as many climbers as I've seen there. Shhh. It's not supposed to be like J Tree on spring break.

Kevin Hansen · · Melba Idaho · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 130
Stymingersfink wrote:I was down in Zion over the weekend, and I've gotta say that conditions couldn't have been better. Sunny, not too warm yet, and almost NO-ONE on the walls! Sure, a team or two moving up Moonlight, someone on Touchstone, a couple guys free-climbing Spaceshot (i didn't slow them up at all) and a few random craggers at the Organ. Other than that? Just your average everyday touristas. That was it. Soon it will be too friggin hot to climb there. Your loss, i guess.
Crazy! I just read this post and realized that was me on Touchstone that weekend. I watched the dudes on the Pipe Organ most of the day.
I was hoping to get on a wall tomorrow through Saturday, but the forecast calls for rain and SNOW?!
I guess it wouldn't be good anyway with the crowds for the memorial day weekend. Weather permitting, I'll head to Colorado City, have the place to myself.
Kevin
I've done a lot of soloing for lack of a partner. I live 1 hour from Zion. Drop me a line if your wanting to get on Prodigal Son, Iron Messiah, or the S.E.B. I was reading about the Lowe Route and looks like a tough solo. Maybe next year or in the fall.
kevin_likes_to_climb_much
@hotmail.com
Mike Ecker · · phoenix · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 25

That sounds like normal Zion traffic, and that's what I love about Zion, for as much awesome climbing Zion has its nice to know that when you get on a route there you will not have 5 party's on it with you. I love Yosemite but, if Zion starts to see that much traffic it would be a very sad thing to see. The rock there is not nearly as strong as Yosemite granite and will not be able to stand up to the beating that happens with that much traffic. Zion is not a secret but, the more we talk about it the more people we will see. So I decided that after every Zion trip I get back from I should start to lie to my friends about Zion. Telling them that the rock sucks, the weather sucks, the views suck, the traffic sucks, and any other lie I can come up with at that moment will hopefully keep them away. So if anyone likes this idea feel free to use it.

SAL · · broomdigiddy · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 790

The only time I have ever shared a route with other teams was when we were aiding on the lowe/weiss and 2 other parties were working on a free ascent. We gladly let them pass to watch the fun. Other then I have always had my pick on what to do and when I wanted to start it.
That is why I have not jumped to Valley climbing yet. I like those numbers.

Kevin Hansen · · Melba Idaho · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 130
Mike Ecker wrote: I decided that after every Zion trip I get back from I should start to lie to my friends about Zion. Telling them that the rock sucks, the weather sucks, the views suck, the traffic sucks, and any other lie I can come up with at that moment will hopefully keep them away.
Why lie when the truth is so much more effective and entertaining. The "rock" is soft, pro is suspect, and its blazing hot for most of the year. Every placement your thinking, "thats the best time bomb I've set yet. Its a miracle I'm moving onto the next piece."
Most folks top out with out a drop of extra water and end up mugging a touron for a 1/2 drank nalgne on top of A.L. If I ever get back to the Valley again I bet my confidence level will go up a few notches.

I was reading a thread about counter weight hauling and someone said that crazy solo dude just clips into the haul line then jumps off the pitch Dan O. style. Tha pig hits the pully and stops his fall. Try that in Zion and Bo Beck will give you the most expensive 15 minute air taxi you're family will ever pay for. Don't forget a pillow for your dirt nap.
Best to stay off the classics once you've cleared them. There are many other lines that have just slightly farther approaches. Kolob looks off the hook too. Talk about your own private playground. No one gets back in there. Kolob's the place to be on holiday weekends.
Kevin
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern Utah Deserts
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