Day VIII – The West Rim

Day VIII – The West Rim

Were we tired? Hell, yes! But Zion's West Rim had yet to be discovered. 

Today, Day VII, was our final day in Zion and we still had an impossible half canyon to explore.  What to do? Linda was particularly interested in a hike along the Virgin River.

Jim and Beth wanted to scale up to Scout Lookout.  
I felt that my goal had to be Angels Landing. 

My interest in Angels Landing was deep. A failed ascent on our last trip in 2010 only made stronger my desire to return for a second try. 

We first climbed together, up a series of switchbacks hugging the side of the mountain.... 

... and then, briefly, into the shady coolness of Refrigerator Canyon.

Next, came Walter's Wiggles, a set of twenty-one steep man-made switchbacks...

...leading onto Scout Lookout, a fantastic observatory and home to soaring condors.

There Jim and Beth took pictures and met a very knowledgeable park ranger and unconditional advocate for those condors we saw soaring just off the cliff, at eye level.

  

The sight of the half-mile of the narrow trail leading from Scout Lookout to the summit had my heart pumping. 

Was it anticipation or apprehension? 

The answer was “Yes”

At times, the strenuous little path did require a little delicacy...mainly  due to some sharp drop-offs ...sometimes on both sides...and narrow footing. 

Occasionally and thankfully, predecessors had anchored chains into the sandstone at some of the more precarious spots.  For me they were simply...

  ...long thin security blankets.

Once there, perched as close to the edge of that beautiful oblivion as I dared, I felt very good.

It had been a dream for some time.

Back at Scout Lookout, we could feel the same thermals that were lifting the condors.  And today, we too felt somehow that we had wings.  

At Two Feathers, we could start to feel the grip of nostalgia for Zion.  In times like these distractions are your best friend.  For our last night, we had two: good wine and our home-made Zion slide shows.  

A Prayer

May we continue to discover for a long, long time!

Stay thirsty my friends!