I am safe and happy on the ground once again!

What a fantastic week off! (Well, of course, why wouldn't it be...I wasn't at work!)
But really.... Our first stop was Bryce Canyon National Park. We stayed with a friend who is working as a ranger there. That canyon was gorgeous!!! We only stayed 24 hours, but was able to do a quick hike around the rim, and watch a climbing video on the visitor center's big screen. Cool to have connections!



Then our true adventure began. The whole reason for the trip.... the BIG WALL in Zion National Park.

Andy and I awoke before the crack of dawn, and loaded up all our gear (no small feat. There were 3 bags of stuff and together it probably weighed 100lbs! No joke!) We rode the shuttle with all our stuff. Pretty funny actually, because the only other 6 people on the bus were from Louisiana and were on the self-proclaimed "seeing-not-doing tour" and so we were very entertained by their comments.


Our first challenge was crossing the river. Thankfully the water was low. After putting back on the shoes, we hiked uphill with all this heavy gear to the base of our climb. I tell you, looking up at the climb at that point, I was quite overwhelmed. After 8 hours of climbing, we made it to our sleeping ledge. What a long day! There was a little ledge, kinda like a bench. Must say that it was quite a relief to sit instead of hang by my harness. Wait, I must also say that Andy made me the best belay seat ever! I will never do big wall climbs without it! :)

So, it was time to eat dinner (oh, did someone bring utensils?), bundle up against the chilly breeze, use the restroom (kind of a challenge!), and get into a bed suspended off the edge of the wall (yikes!). I conveniently waited until it was dark to get onto the port-a-ledge. Why, you ask? So I couldn't see that there was NOTHING BENEATH ME! I must say, it was like a comfortable hammock, with the constant reminder to not move too much. Yes, I did actually sleep, and I did prefer my spot to Andy's small rock ledge.


The second day of climbing brought challenges in route finding. We got a little "lost" and by the time we got back on track, we figured we would not be able to make it to the top by the end of the day. Being the safe people that we are, we decided to rappel down. We made it halfway up, and we did some really cool stuff, but it feels a little anti-climactic not make it to the top.

Shockingly enough, I think I will give this crazy type of adventure one more try. I gotta completely finish one of these climbs!!!!
The next day, I had to hike Angels Landing to actually make it to the top. The view was spectacular.
I also had to show off the battle wounds (the only time I would purposely take a picture of my thigh!). Yeah tough girl!!!!



This is the wall we were climbing. We are actually on the wall. The fact that you can't see us tells you how big this thing is!!! If you can pick out a white or red helmet in the middle-ish.... more power to ya!