Sunday, July 31, 2005

Zion National Park - Parunuweap

Parunuweap with Chris Draper


Chris Drapers Blog about our Parunuweap and Fat Man's Misery hike a few weeks ago. :)

Outdoor Show with Chris Draper

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Zion National Park: West Rim


This weekend we hiked the West Rim in Zion National Park. The hike is usually done as a backpack, but we opted to do it as a quick day hike instead. My hiking partners for the day were Bo Beck and Tim Tabor. We started early and got our car shuttle started. We parked one vehicle at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and another at the Kolob Terrace where the trailhead for the West Rim is located. The trail begins with a even to gradual up and down hike through the forested path of the West Rim from Lava Falls. After Pototo Hollow the trail steepens as it reaches to Scouts Outlook. If you have never hiked out to Angels Landing don't miss this chance. After Angels landing the last couple of miles is a downhill trek into Zion Canyon. If the shuttle is running jump on and catch a ride back to your vehicle. If you hike this after the shuttles shut down for the season be sure to park at the Grotto instead of the visitor center.

Friday, July 22, 2005


Tanya in Echo Canyon Slot Canyon in Zion National Park.

Zion National Park: Echo Canyon

I had done Echo Canyon before in 2004 at the end of a six year long drought and my 3 year old son, my husband and I just walked a large section of it. This time through we swam and made our way through cold pools of water and there were some fun raps and downclimbs. We wore our wetsuits and were again comfortable. The water was not as cold as Das Boot (we did this the day after doing Das Boot) but we were glad we had on suits. It was darker in Echo Canyon, and although I did not realize it at the time, it was clear when I looked back at my photos. Echo Canyon, like Das Boot, is a narrow wet canyon with a lot of fun downclimbs. To find it hike up from Weeping Rock past the entrance to the East Rim Trail or Hike up from the East Rim Trail and go up a ways toward Observation Point. The complete trail description is on my website. http://www.zionnational-park.com This canyon I give another thumbs up!

Bo avoiding the water in Behunin Canyon in Zion National Park.

Zion National Park: Behunin Canyon

Bo and I ventured into Behunin before it got too hot and while it was hot enough that we would not mind some cold water. Behunin is a wide wash located about mid-way up the West Rim Trail from the Grotto. It was an enjoyable hike into the canyon with some long raps throughout. The trail ends at the Middle Emerald Pool area in a rock pile. From there is a nice easy jaunt down to the Zion Shuttle.

The bushwacker in Das Boot

The Subway and Das Boot

This was a fun weekend where my hiking partner, Bo Beck, and canyoneer Shane Burrows did Das Boot and The Subway. Bo brought along another friend who likes to go nameless on the net, but most know him as the bushwacker. Das Boot is an exciting narrow slot with many fun downclimbs that opens up into The Subway. The water is cold in Das Boot so a wet suit is needed even in mid-summer. Bo and I wore 5/7mm suits and we were comfortable. Shane is use to going faster and wore a 3mm suit but I stop and take a lot of photos so Shane's teeth were chattering. Das Boot is a great slot and one of the top on my list. If you attempt it be competent at downclimbing since the raps are short, awkward and downclimbing is usually done instead in many places in the slot. Shane Burrows writes the http://www.climb-utah.com web sit and of course you can find the trail descriptions on my site as well.

http://www.zionnational-park.com

Tuesday, July 05, 2005


Dave Webb, Chris Draper, Bo Beck, Cliff, Jamie, Mason, Kyle and Dave's brother resting in Parunuweap.

Parunuweap and Misery Canyon

Parunuweap and the Barracks are without a doubt my favorite place in the world. The hike getting there is an ideal adventure with a Zion National Part start, one of the funnest slot canyons anywhere and warm spring at the end! The East Fork of the Virgin River (Parunuweap Canyon) is as impressive as the Zion Narrows but situated in a remote and wild environment. I got to finally meet Dave Webb from Utah.com who I have been talking to about hiking together for almost a year! He brought his brother and his brothers son and radio talk show host Chris Draper. We all hung out in Mount Carmel Junction for the night and set out on our trip after Chris's early morning Saturday Outdoor Show on KSL. He is able to do this by a satellite phone. My hiking partner Bo Beck went with us and one of his co-workers and his friend caught up with us at Fat Man's Misery.

Dave put a video of some of the fun highlights of the hike on the net. People here at work keep teasing me about doing the dog paddle through the water. ~laughing~

Dave's Pages and the Video
http://utah.com/travelheadlines/
http://www.redrockadventure.com/video/misery.html

Thanks Everyone! It was a great trip!

Monday, July 04, 2005


Tanya rappin' into the Zion Narrows from Mystery Canyon.