Mountain Project Logo

zion in DEC?

Original Post
erik hamilton · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2009 · Points: 635

how cold? is it worth it this time of year?

Cota · · Bend OR · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 0

I have been snowed off of walls there in the spring, so anything goes in the winter, it will be a winter wall for sure though. of course, I dont need much of an excuse to bail from a wall, though. You better have a hard core partner if you are going in Dec....

Matt Berrett · · utah · Joined May 2010 · Points: 10

depends what you like, the park is beautiful in the winter and you hardly see anyone. but never climbed there in the cold.

Bob Dergay · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2006 · Points: 101

I once spent a couple of weeks there over December and January one year-
It was pretty nice actually- mid 50's when it was sunny...

Except when a snowstorm came through... couldn't get on a wall for a week... but normally, when you can't climb for a week on a 3 week trip you're PISSED- but in Zion- I just went for long hikes on the snow days - and it was awesome. Exploring Zion with a blanket of snow is worth missing some climbing days. Go for it.

Mike Anderson · · Colorado Springs, CO · Joined Nov 2004 · Points: 3,265

You can definitely climb there, but the biggest problem is the short days. You don't have much daylight to get things done if you're doing a long route. Touchstone Wall is in the sun most of the day and is short enough that it can be done then. I have also done shady walls that time of year, but you need to be motivated. If you're aid climbing, you can just layer up and have a blast. Short cragging routes would also be great, and the ones at the base of Cerberus would get the most sun that time of year. Camping will be chilly, but the hotels are dirt cheap that time of year.

Cota · · Bend OR · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 0
Tony B wrote:I've seen 50' long icefangs and flows cutting loose and careening down the walls that time of year too... so it will be touch and go.
Touch and Go is actaully in Joshua Tree,
and it can be hit or miss in Dec there as well
Tony B · · Around Boulder, CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 24,705
Cota wrote: Touch and Go is actaully in Joshua Tree, and it can be hit or miss in Dec there as well
Ha ha ha... I've done Touch and Go in Jtree and in Eldo over the Xmas holiday, but Hit Or Miss is in Tuolumne, so I figure that's out.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
Post a Reply to "zion in DEC?"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.