Brian took a lot of photos of our canyoneering adventure and did a write up. Canyoneering wasn’t supposed to be so cold or involve so much snow. Although it was 90 degrees and sweltering at ground level in Zion, down in the canyon it was only barely above freezing. The water we had to swim in felt like it was freezing, but since it wasn’t ice, I guess it wasn’t. The snow we had to hike over, on the other hand, was certainly frozen.

What I remember most clearly about that day was that we were only one turned ankle away from tragedy. I really believed that: that all of us needed to pull together to ensure that we all got out alive. I was racing through the canyon about as fast as I could because I was so cold I couldn’t stop, so I was one of the first few out. Most of the group wasn’t far behind me, but Todd and two others (our hosts Brian and Tom) still hadn’t shown up after what seemed like a really long time.

I was starting to think something must have gone wrong and that we were going to have to go back in after them to affect a rescue when they finally came around the last bend into view. They were laughing and chatting, taking pictures and strolling casually along. Whereas I was in a epic battle for survival, Todd was just having a nice day out.

Before that, Todd and I spent five days climbing at Red Rocks and had a blast (much warmer than down in that canyon). The only sad spot was getting up at 5:00 am and making the slog up to Crimson Chrysalis only to find out we were 6th in line! Not kidding.

We did the first three pitches of Cloud Tower instead. Two beautiful pitches of 5.8 and then a sweet 5.10 hand crack. Then a sketchy but not difficult traverse away from the 5.11 and towards a bush with a rap anchor. Not only did we manage to get off without leaving any gear but we actually scored a sling. We did the first pitch of CC at the end of the day – could probably have eeked out a few more but people were starting to rap down and I was pretty wiped from our Cloud Tower adventure. We did the three pitches in about 6 due to various confusions and the part about there being no fixed anchors.

Some other highlights were: Dark Shadows (4 great pitches) and Sour Mash which we shared with only one other party several pitches ahead of us. We did a little cragging at the Brass Wall one day. Full on hot – the weather was almost too nice – but some really, really good climbing.

It was my best trip to RR by far – the first time I haven’t been rained on, if you can believe that in the desert, and we were never seriously lost, only occasionally meandering more than seemed necessary. The new SuperTopo book was great. My only regret was that it was a real book so we couldn’t pull out individual pages to take up the route like we could with our downloaded Lover’s Leap SuperTopo guide.

I’d still move the damn climbs closer to the road if I could but I sure wouldn’t move Vegas any closer to the climbs. The build-up out there is not to be believed.

This was my best vacation ever and it was all thanks to not smoking.

I was so filled with energy and joy. I wasn’t always rushing to get from one thing to the next so that I could get to the end so I could smoke. I wasn’t desperate for time away from Todd so I could smoke. Delays didn’t bother me. The unexpected didn’t throw me. And it was all because I wasn’t focused on when my next cigarette was going to come. Not to mention how much more pleasant the hiking was without
smoker lungs. 🙂

I never knew I was in prison till suddenly I was free. I wish I could grab every one of you having a hard time quitting and drag you out here with me in the clean, clear, wide open air where life doesn’t revolve around an addiction. We’re free!