Zions

11:30 came around last Friday night and we all piled out of the van. There was 10 of us from my wilderness skills class including my teacher and TA and we left 3 other people back at our campsite. We were in Zions National Park, the weather was perfect and there just so happend to be a beautiful, gigantic, almost full moon above us. Jackets were put on, camlebacks were strapped, and away we went up Angles Landing using only moonlight to see.

What chains? That question came into my head over and over. The hike leader wanted each of us to completely understand what we were in for when he said "It gets steap and you'll have to use the chains!" I understood what steep meant or that's what I thought until we got to the last half mile of Angles Landing. I didn't quite understand "use the chains" or what I was getting myself into until I personally got to meet the long metal chains that saved my life. The trail was not existant, and was straight up on sandy slick rocks with cliffs on both sides of you. You grabbed those chains and you pulled yourself up. It was the best and most intense hike I have ever done.

We got back to camp that night about 2:30 and was completely exhausted. We colapsed in our tents until about 8:00 in the morning when some idiot in our camp started yelling "breakfast, come and eat. Eggs, bacon, what ever, get out of bed!" I was the last to stumbled out of bed and eat and by the time I got a plate of food it was time to go hiking again.

We split up into 2 groups. My group consisted of 5 people and went to the narrows. Every one else was in the second group and they went to observation point. My group got dropped off at the trail head and we hiked in the narrows for about 2 to 3 miles. The hike was a river hike and so we were in about 30 degree water hiking up stream. Our feet and our legs up just passed our knees was completely knumb from the cold. The magnificent cliffs the lined both sides of the river were beautiful, but they blocked direct sunlight which made it even colder. When we got out of the narrows we stopped in the sun to take our shoes and socks off. We then walked the winding road several miles down to find the rest of our group. I think we hiked about 15 to 18 miles total on the trip.

We all had a great time in Zions and I learned so much. I learned more than just camping and hiking skiills and what I did learn I don't believe I could have learned it any other way.

If you ever get a chance to visit Zions, you have to hike Angels Landing. You will love it!