Angel's Landing Kicked My Ass!

All the training I did, did not prepare me for 45+ mph winds and driving rain.
That's what I ran into upon reaching the summit. The hike back down was the most harrowing experience of my life! But I made it and I'm alive and in one piece.

Good for you, sorry the weather didn't cooperate.

Win

Don't like to say I told you so, especially when lives are at stake. Glad you made it back OK. I would never do that hike in the best of circumstances.

Sounds awesome! You're lucky you had that experience with mother nature.

Nice info to know since I'm thinking about this hike.

One trip does not make me an expert, but I can tell you what I know.

If you do this hike, I highly recommend doing it early in the morning on a clear day. Less chance of running into bad weather that way.

Take plenty of water. The amount needed will depend on the time of year and the weather. I took one large cycling water bottle. Was not enough. I ran out of water about half way down. Temperature was about 55 degrees and raining so it was not that big a deal.

Win suggested I leave my backpack at Scout Lookout. For the conditions I ran into that would have been a mistake. Though it was a heavy load, it was the only thing that saved my camera from certain destruction.
I was pretty bruised and bloody by the time I got back down.

A healthy fear of heights is actually a good thing in my opinion. It can save your life up there. If you are an experienced climber and not at all fearful of heights you should have no problem. Just don't get careless.

If you have an extreme fear of heights, don't go!
If moderate, like me, just don't look down. ON the last half mile that means don't look left or right either because that's the same as looking down. It's that narrow.

Glad you made it OK. I've never made that hike and I regret passing it up when I was younger. I may try it next time, on the theory that if Win can do it, so can I.

Actually, I'd rather do Horseshoe Canyon over by The Maze.

sparker1 wrote in post #12416437
Glad you made it OK. I've never made that hike and I regret passing it up when I was younger. I may try it next time, on the theory that if Win can do it, so can I.

Actually, I'd rather do Horseshoe Canyon over by The Maze.

Careful what you wish for!!

I've done Horseshoe Canyon a couple of times and I think I'd take Angel's Landing over that. They are totally different, though!! Toughest hike for me in Zion was Observation Pt from Weeping rock. That long downhill was painful!! I think I need to start using hiking sticks.

Win

Win wrote in post #12418755
Careful what you wish for!!

I've done Horseshoe Canyon a couple of times and I think I'd take Angel's Landing over that. They are totally different, though!! Toughest hike for me in Zion was Observation Pt from Weeping rock. That long downhill was painful!! I think I need to start using hiking sticks.

Win

Brag, brag, brag. (Is my envy showing?)