Author Archives: ZACBlog

Zion Narrows Fall Colors Video

Posted on November 22, 2012 by

Long-time ZAC client Jerry King visits us at least every year, regularly recording his hikes and canyon descents via video and still images. When Jerry gets home, he puts together some nice informational videos about the adventures he goes on. If you are thinking about doing a Zion Narrow Through-Hike, check out Jerry’s movie to learn about the hike and see the Narrows in prime fall color splendor.

Posted in Autumn, Canyoneering, Seasonal, The Narrows, Trip Reports, Videos, Zion | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Virgin River Flash Flood Video

Posted on August 2, 2012 by

Mike and Seth caught some revealing footage of the Virgin River in scary flash flood mode as it carried a huge cottonwood tree down-river like an insignificant Poohstick. See how dark the water is? The color comes from the high load of silt, mud, and rock the river picks up in a flood event. 95% of the erosion in Zion happens in punctuated events like this, where sudden, heavy rains create high-volume, high-velocity river conditions that pick up tons and tons of sediment and move it downstream. Once the momentum gets going, all that debris can scour banks and displace large areas of sediment, replacing ankle-deep shallows with deep pools, and vice-versa. It’s super fun to explore the river after a flood event like this and try to find the best “new” swimming holes the flood has created. The guys filmed this footagee just above the Springdale River Park, where we pick up tubers at the end of their runs. Seems like tubing would be a little extreme with that amount of water and debris in the river, don’t you think? If you want to see a flash flood, I highly recommend a viewing it from a safe place like this, … Continue reading →

Posted in Natural History, Safety, Seasonal, Springdale, Summer, The Narrows, Tubing, Weather & Climate, Zion National Park | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Awesome Right Fork Trip Report on CUSA’s “Latest Rave”

Posted on June 24, 2012 by

After taking a year off in 2011, Tom Jones has reinitiated his popular canyoneering blog The Latest Rave in a beautiful, updated format, making high-quality, illustrated trip reports even more accessible to canyoneers searching for canyon beta, pictures, and stories. The Latest Rave is a “canyoneering diary,” featuring accounts of recent canyon descents and trips throughout the canyoneering world, but primarily focused on Colorado Plateau canyons. Tom has expanded the Rave a bit, inviting long-time canyoneering partner Steve “Ram” Ramras as a regular Raver, as well as publishing well-written and illustrated canyoneering stories from other canyoneer/authors in his Guest Rave section. Fortunately, quite a few Rave trip reports are about Zion canyons, which are, of course, our favorite. Mark Duttweiler published a particularly nice trip report last week on his party’s descent of the Right Fork of North Creek, a less-travelled canyon deep in the Zion Backcountry. Mark and his crew descend the “Hammerhead” variation of the Right Fork route, adding a great, technical start and a number of rappels to the package. The meat of the Right Fork, however, is the Direct Variation, a formidable section of slot that, though relatively short and not particularly difficult, threatens inexperienced canyoneers with shadows … Continue reading →

Posted in Canyoneering, Trip Reports, Zion, Zion National Park | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Free Canon Camera & Video Workshops in Zion

Posted on June 23, 2012 by

Canon has been running their National Parks promotion for six years now, and they are finally coming to Zion! From June 24th to July 9th, you can borrow a Canon SLR, point-and-shoot, or video camera to shoot gorgeous Zion scenery… AND you can receive free instruction on how to do it. Yes, it’s an unabashed marketing promotion on Canon’s part, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to a) try out top-of-the-line technology for free, and b) get expert advice from Canon photography teachers/mentors. Here’s the meat of the press release from Canon: The Canon Photography in the Parks Program offers participants the opportunity to learn about photography or hone their skills through free professional instruction as they take part in a guided walking photo tour of some of the most scenic national park areas. Participants can bring their own equipment or borrow, at no charge, Canon equipment from a selection of EOS DSLR cameras and EF lenses, PowerShot point-and-shoot cameras, or VIXIA camcorders. Equipment is available for photographers at every skill level. Following the tour, participants have the opportunity to print their work on site, and to download their image collection later from the Program website. Visitors of all ages and … Continue reading →

Posted in Guided Events, Local Events, Photography, Techniques, Videos, Zion National Park | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Free Werner Herzog Documentary at CCC Tonight

Posted on June 15, 2012 by

It’s not canyoneering, and it’s not in Zion, but exploring long-lost caves and ancient paintings in France is pretty cool. If you’re in Springdale this evening looking for something to do, check out the free Z-Arts! presentation of Cave of Forgotten Dreams, an excellent documentary from Werner Herzog. If you’re interested, just drop by the Canyon Community Center (126 Lion Boulevard, just up the street from Zion Adventure Company) a few minutes before the film starts at 7 PM. Here’s the official even release from Z-Arts!: June 15, 2012, Friday Z-Arts! Film Presentation 7:00 pm – Canyon Community Center, Springdale Free Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2011) A Film by Werner Herzog Run Time:  90 minutes Cave Of Forgotten Dreams, a breathtaking new documentary from the incomparable Werner Herzog (Encounters at the End of the World, Grizzly Man), follows an exclusive expedition into the nearly inaccessible Chauvet Cave in France, home to the most ancient visual art known to have been created by man. One of the most successful documentaries of all time, Cave Of Forgotten Dreams is an unforgettable cinematic experience that provides a unique glimpse of pristine artwork dating back to human hands over 30,000 years ago — almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Events, Springdale | Tagged | Leave a comment

ZAC Makes the Cover of St. George Magazine

Posted on May 3, 2012 by

St. George Magazine did a story on “adventure in Southern Utah” for their May issue, and we made the cover! Well, one of our clients made the cover, and one of our guides was on the other side of the lens (we still aren’t sure who). Writer Lisa Larson interviewed Shelley Buckingham, our outfitting manager, for the piece, and they have a slimmed-down version of the article online. It’s much better to see all the great pictures though, so check out the virtual magazine for the best viewing experience. 5 Local Tours to Enjoy in Our Backyard By Lisa Larson Living in the red rock beauty of Southern Utah, it’s easy to take the nearness of these natural wonders for granted. While there are countless tourists from around the world that descend on national parks like Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon, recreation spots such as Lake Powell and a variety of slot canyons, it’s remarkable the number of locals who have yet to experience all that Southern Utah has to offer.   For those who are unsure where to begin, there are a variety of guided and self-guided tours available, whether you’re looking for adventure, history or serenity. Living … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Articles, Canyoneering, Families, In the News | Tagged | Leave a comment

ZAC Guide Bill Westerhoff Featured on “Eye on LA”

Posted on April 16, 2012 by

ABC’s Los Angeles affiliate Channel 7 recently visited Southern Utah for their “Eye on LA” show. Host Tina Malave joined ZAC guide Bill Westerhoff for a rappelling excursion up in Cave Valley, one of the gorgeous plateau valleys you’ll find on the way up the Kolob Terrace Road. I wasn’t able to post the video here, but you can check it out on the ABC 7 site.  

Posted in Canyoneering, Videos, Zion, Zion National Park | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Zion Canyon Arts and Crafts Fair This Weekend

Posted on November 22, 2011 by

Some folks are hesitant to travel to Zion during the “biggest shopping weekend of the year,” while others come to Zion BECAUSE it’s so crazy everywhere else. Whichever side of that coin you might be on, the annual Arts & Crafts Fair at the Canyon Community Center is a great Thanksgiving tradition here in Springdale, and a fun opportunity to meet some our local artisans and residents. Whether you’re working on a big shopping list or you just like to sample some true local flavor when you travel, this is a great opportunity while you’re here this weekend. Here’s the news release from Z-Arts!: ZION CANYON ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR “Handcrafted to Fine Arts” Everyone is invited to attend the 22nd Annual Zion Canyon Arts and Crafts Fair being held at the Canyon Community Center on Thanksgiving weekend. We will be featuring handmade arts and crafts, as well as, some beautiful fine art from regional artists. This year we have also invited artisan food vendors to participate with their tasty fares. Don’t miss your opportunity to win a fabulous two-night stay in Zion! The package includes lodging, dinners and spa treatments. This package is valued at over $600. Tickets for … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Events, Springdale | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Violinist Gabriel Bolkosky Plays Tonight in Springdale

Posted on November 3, 2011 by

Gabriel Bolkosky, Violinist With Michelle Cooker, Accompanist Thursday, November 3, 2011 Performing Arts Concert 7:30 p.m. @ Canyon Community Center, Springdale $10.00 for Z-Arts! Members / $15.00 for non-members Gabriel Bolkosky, a native of Detroit, Michigan, began his violin studies at age three. His primary mentors were Michael Avsharian of Ann Arbor, Paul Kantor at University of Michigan, and Donald Weilerstein at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Gabe earned a Bachelors of Music, a Masters in Jazz Improvisation, and a Masters in Chamber Music from U of M. At the Cleveland Institute he earned a Professional Studies degree, served a year as Wellerstein’s teaching assistant and won the Darius Milhaud prize. He attended the Aspen Music Festival/Institute from 1991–98 on fellowship, first playing with the Aspen Chamber Symphony and then the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble for four years. During those four years he premiered hundreds of new works, and with his group, Non Sequitur, conducted workshops and concerts for thousands of students in the Aspen valley. As a recitalist, Gabe has appeared across the United States and abroad. He performs a diverse repertoire of classical and contemporary works with different collaborative artists from many genres of music making. Recently he performed … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Events, Springdale | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Benson Creek Canyoneering Article in Boulder Weekly

Posted on September 27, 2011 by

Tom Winter writes a good general-interest canyoneering article to pique the interest of our Coloradan neighbors. Sort of nice that we chose an out-of-the-way canyon to base the article, though I’m not sure why he was so vague about the name/location. Not SURE this was Benson Creek, but that’s the only canyon I know of that matches his description out Brian Head way. Into the Earth Canyoneering the Colorado plateau By Tom Winter, for Boulder Weekly The hike started innocently enough: a well-trodden trail from a Utah campground near the small ski resort of Brianhead. Soon, though, we left the trail and started bushwhacking up a steep ridge. The terrain was rough. Loose rocks made progress difficult for those in front and dangerous for those behind, as the occasional boulder would bounce free and tumble towards the valley floor. We crested the ridge and traversed along the steep face of yet another valley, dodging the fallen trunks of pine as the dry needles crackled beneath our feet. Below us, we could see the faint reflection of water, a thin band of wetness that coursed out of the Cedar Mountains, only a foot or so wide, and inches deep. We worked … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment