Zion Free Climbing

Free climbing, as opposed to aid climbing, in Zion National Park is a little bit like going to Indian Creek to boulder. You are in a mecca of sorts for amazing, challenging, beautiful aid climbing. and yet we chose only routes in which you 'free climb' (ie use your hands and feet to ascend a route as opposed to pulling on gear to ascend). The Zion free climbing scene is currently developing. It is highly adventurous. It still has many unknowns. It is still very dirty. and it is hard.
and beautiful.
and inspiring.
and i can't wait to go back!

We were shut down by winds gusting up to 47 mph (how they got forty-SEVEN as opposed to "about 50 mph" is beyond me), and a rainy sunday afternoon and all day monday rain. We made the most of it though; climbed through the wind and the initial day's heat, then hiking through the rain, then driving home through the rain. It was a fantastic trip. Just what I've been needing.


Wonderful photos generously donated by Eric Dacus.