Category Archives: Uncategorized

Went down to Escalante for a little Neon action. It being June and all, and a hot year to boot, and knowing Neon was dry dry dry; for this trip Mike Schasch and I convinced our guests that running daytrips out of a car-camp would be a much better plan than backpacking down (and back up!) in this kinda heat. (Some pictures by ME, some pics by Mike Schasch.) This was the third and final spring Neon trip for Zion Adventure Company Mike and I ran, and each trip was very, very different. Some were inspired by the Neon Trip Jonathan and I did with Greg Aiello and Motion TV. And some were just inspired by the beauty of the Golden Cathedral, and signed on up… like Gary, Al and Dennis from the Portland Area, who are experienced mountaineers (or, at least, golfers) and therefore used to suffering (or, in Dennis’s case, frustration). First day, I reached 10 years into my past and remembered a delightful day in March I spent in upper Brimstone and upper Spooky with Larry Halford. It did not click with me that: A. I have a terrible memory; and B. March and June do not … Continue reading →

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 →

Excited to see the Park creating short-term opportunities for visitors to connect with Zion in a different way. It would help if they mentioned what types of project they will work on; even if they simply offered some examples, it would help folks get an idea of this is for them. It’s easy to imagine this type of program becoming very popular, if well supported. I think many people would love to say, “We went hiking on Monday, then on Tuesday we joined up with the ZNP firefighters to clear brush up at Lave Point.” Fun to be part of something larger within a Park System so many love so dearly. ********** Zion National Park Announces Weekly Drop-in Volunteer Program Date: June 9, 2011 Contact: Jessica Kusky, 435-772-0184 Contact: Marc Neidig, 435-772-0164 On June 10, Zion National Park will begin a weekly volunteer program for the public. This program provides visitors and local residents with the opportunity to complete projects that improve the park’s appearance, enhance visitor experiences, and contribute to resource management efforts. Volunteerism is a wonderful way to help preserve Zion National Park while sharing an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Drop-in volunteer opportunities will be offered every Friday … Continue reading →