Icebox Canyon

Where: Zion National Park, Utah
Who: DB
When: April 2013

An unusual view into Icebox Canyon. Dig the nice alcove!

The Esteemed Zion Backcountry

Where: Zion National Park, Utah
Who: DB
When: April 2013
Another fine spring day in Zion allowed DB and I to summit another of the park's awesome peaks. This one, #157, proved pleasant (though steep, brushy and sandy) and with excellent summit views.

Spring in Zion

Where: Zion National Park, Utah
When: April 2010
Who: DB and a bunch of our friends

Can you spot the climbers?
DB and I spent 10 days in April out and about exploring the backcountry of Zion National Park. Here's a selection of our photos...
DB below Horse Ranch Mountain
Back in The Center of the Universe
Backcountry explorations
The wilds of Zion
Above Hop Valley
Northwest of Little Jenny Peak
On the summit of Tinaja Knoll
Descending obscurity
That's the Red Triangle

Beautiful Tinaja Knoll
From Explorers Knoll
A rarity -- A Zion tinaja
Looking over the Hamster's shoulder
The Bishopric
North to Sunbeam Peak

Return to Zion

Where: Zion National Park, Utah
When: March/April 2010
Who: DB

In the backcountry
DB and I hit Zion really, really hard in the spring and fall, a few times in the summer, but usually only once or twice during the winter. So after the long, cold snows begin to melt, and we make our eventual return each spring, I'm reminded each and every time just how much I love the place.

Old Moon-Eye near Crater Hill

DB atop a small peak Jeff Branin brought to my consciousness, and I subsequently named Antler Point

The summit of obscurity ~ my favorite place in the whole world

Southern Utah Fun

Where: Zion NP & Hurricane, Utah
When: January 2010
Who: DB

Aaah, Zion in winter!
Some folks know that I've enjoyed the backcountry of Zion National Park immensely. Although access is severely limited in winter, I've made considerable effort to visit the park at its loneliest -- when it's snow-covered and empty. Dig.
Into the backcountry we go
This peak can't be seen from any road. I first climbed it about 5 years ago.
A new peak for us. We dubbed it 'Lost Teton'.
A bit of orange slickrock...and my next objective of the day
Views into Dennett Canyon from the summit
Recognize this view?
That little peak there gives up some of the most interesting and obscure views I've yet come across in Zion
Scenery on the way out


.........

And then it was time for some fun in the sun around Hurricane...

On the summit of Mollies Nipple
Finishing up a killer 2-peak loop at Red Cliffs

Bighorn Peak & Mind's Eye

Where: Zion National Park, Utah
When: November 2009
Who: DB

On the summit of Bighorn Peak
DB and I recently picked our way up two new peaks (both minor) in Zion. I dubbed a very minor one Mind's Eye, for the trippy, funky and ultra-cool formation I found in the summit block. The other was so dubbed for the 24 (!) bighorn sheep we saw on its slopes. Nice!

The South Face of Gooseberry Mesa

Where: near Zion National Park, Utah
When: November 2009
Who: DB

Working up Gooseberry Mesa
Rather than make the slog across the rolling slickrock and pinyon-juniper from the mesa top to the summit itself, I decided to explore a direct route up the south face. While the route went, it was steep and very loose, with a dangerous traverse near the top.
DB scrambling the south face

Greatheart Mesa

Where: Zion National Park, Utah

North Guardian Angel and neighbors from Greatheart Mesa
Scrambling en route to Greatheart

The Little Altar

Where: Zion National Park, Utah
When: November 2009
Who: Sarah & Dominic Meiser, Dwight Sunwall and Matthew Holliman

Matthew and Dwight arriving on the summit
After a failed attempt on this striking and obscure mountain with Bo Beck several years earlier, I returned with Dwight, Sarah, Dominic and Matthew and we ticked this puppy off from the other side. Surprisingly, the route went easily (albeit steeply, loosely and somewhat dangerously!).
Our crew on the summit

An Exploratory Ascent of Hop Valley Peak

Where: Zion National Park, UT
When: October 2009
Partners: DB & Andy Archibald

DB in a hidden slot we stumbled upon during the ascent
After a four-month absence, DB and I returned to Zion for an exploratory of an unnamed peak above Hop Valley. Double-A gladly joined us for the adventure. With plenty of tricky route-finding and a ton of brush, we first bagged the central summit then headed to the main (north) summit of what we would come to call 'Hop Valley Peak'. A different (and equally convoluted) descent took us on outta there. A fine day out!
Looking south-southwest from the main summit