Author Archives: Scott

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About Scott

Scott Williams guides mountain biking, road cycling, canyoneering, and rock climbing with Zion Adventure Company. When Scott’s not working, he’s probably cruising around the wilds of Southern Utah with his daughter, Makena, or gathering war wounds on the bike trails and climbing routes around Zion.

Canyoneering Instruction: How to Avoid 127 Hours

Posted on April 20, 2011 by

Imagine seeing a place in a movie or magazine that looks so amazing and remote that you want to go and visit. You daydream for a bit, and then all the questions and stories start in your head of loosing arms, fear of falling, not being strong enough or technically savvy to get where you want to go. Ever since the movie 127 Hours came out, we’ve being receiving a surge of questions from people interested in canyoneering. With the highest number of slot canyons in the world, Utah is a prime destination for exploration. But as we all saw from Aaron Ralston’s story, there are definitely risks involved. These risks can be managed with proper preparation and skills. As a cayoneering guide and instructor, I recommend people take a course to learn these essential skills before venturing out on their own. Our Three-Day Basic course can empower you with the tools and skills to venture into some of Zion National Parks most popular canyons. The course begins from your current technical understanding, wherever that might be, and builds from there. We work with you to help understand what your goals and intentions are for taking the course and tailor our … Continue reading →

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Trip Report: Canyoneering in Winter Conditions, 11/27/2010

Posted on December 7, 2010 by

The forecast for the day was 60% change of snow in the morning and partly cloudy for the afternoon. I prepared for cold wintry conditions, but also ready for my clients to say they did not want to go. As an avid outdoor lover, I enjoy any and all weather conditions, especially winter conditions, and I was up for a challenge. When Boris and Iskra walked in to the shop I saw they, too, were up for the challenge, as they had many layers and a look of excitement upon their faces. We packed our layers, food, water, and technical gear and headed to Water Canyon amidst the falling snow. When we arrived at the trailhead it was still snowing, with about 6 inches of powder already on the ground. I was excited to see what the spring looked like, as well as the pools of water at the bottom of the rappels. The snow depth helped on the hike in, as our boots were able to sink in and get some bite, versus slipping on the rocks and mud. At the canyon entrance, we put on our dry suits so we would stay dry from the snow AND be … Continue reading →

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Singletrack Reflections: Finding the Zone

Posted on November 9, 2010 by

In my last post about pushing my comfort zone, there was a moment where I ran over a cactus and darn near flattened my momentum. I found myself not riding, but thinking, thinking about this blog actually. Fortunately, the only thing the cactus popped was my thought bubble, and it helped me regain my focus on the trail. For me, this raised the idea of being “in the zone” – that place of pure focus and presence -  while pushing my comfort zone. This idea of finding the “zone” or “flow” has stuck with me and I find myself seeking it, even needing it, at times. One of these times was a recent evening ride on the JEM trail. I get to ride this trail at least fifty times a year, and I love it more every time I get to roll over its packed path. As autumn sets in to this arid desert, so does the sun, earlier and earlier in the evening. I prepared a lot better this time than last: I had my phone and headlamp, and someone knew where I was riding. I only had about 40 minuets of usable day light left, however; I planned … Continue reading →

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Is It Just A Bike Ride?

Posted on October 26, 2010 by

I recently sat down to write about cleaning hydration bags, but found myself uninspired by the topic. After scratching my head a bit, I thought, “Why not go for a ride and find some inspiration?” So off I went on one of my favorite rides, a primitive slickrock loop just minutes from my house. As the wheels turned, I found myself thinking about risk and the perceived comfort zones we live in. How often do I push my own comfort zone? On this particular night, I had parked further away from the trailhead than usual, adding 300 feet of vertical climbing and an extra mile and half. I had left my phone in the truck and I failed to tell anyone where I was riding. With no headlamp and about an hour and forty minutes of usable day light, I had left for my ride. As I started out on the trail, I passed a party of 6 or so ending their ride and thought about asking if anyone wanted to do another loop. I decided to remain quiet; this was going to be a solo ride. As each decision passed, I was raising the stakes higher and higher. Why … Continue reading →

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Gear Review: Smartwool Rambition Cycling Shorts

Posted on September 14, 2010 by

Having pedaled many rides with many friends and clients alike, one of the more common topics is how uncomfortable and painful it can be to sit on a bike saddle for an hour or two or more. In the past, I have always endured this complaining silently, quietly thinking the complainers were being a bit soft. The slight discomfort on the saddle always paled in comparison to the joys of road or mountain biking, and one learned to ignore or endure the soreness over time. On a lark, however, I recently bought myself the Smartwool Rambition bike shorts as a birthday present, and I discovered just how comfortable a ride can be. I am partial to Smartwool, as they are based in my old home, Steamboat Springs, CO, and I love the quality, functionality, and durability of the Smartwool products I have used over the last 12 years. This was my second pair of bike shorts, so I am far from a connoisseur, but my butt knew right away this was a quality product. The first trial was fantastic, a 12-mile ride on the JEM trail outside of Virgin, UT. The fit was great:  not too tight on the legs … Continue reading →

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Surviving the Summer Heat on Your Mountain Bike

Posted on July 28, 2010 by

So you find yourself at a summer conference in Las Vegas, and you figure you’ll sneak up to Zion afterward to ride the famous mountain bike trails at Gooseberry Mesa. There’s one big snag, though: daytime highs are predicted to hit 105º. You assure yourself it’s just a “dry” heat, as you have been dreaming of riding God’s Skate Park, Rattle Snake Rim, and Hidden Canyon for years and you are not about to let this chance pass by. Some might call you crazy, but we know you’re simply motivated. Before you hit the trail, however, take a gander at these tips and lessons I have learned over six summers in the dry heat of Southern Utah. I guarantee some forethought about heat and hydration will lead to more fun on the slickrock and the freedom to enjoy many more days on the trail. DRY HEAT. What does that really mean? To me, “dry heat” means the temperature in the shade is significantly cooler than the temperature in the sun. This can be really helpful, especially if I need to cool down, since simply finding a tree or rock outcropping can really help me cool down and rest. But WHY … Continue reading →

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