Destination: Zion National Park, UT

– Hiking Angel’s Landing –

The most intense hike that I’ve ever done in my life was Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park. This hike took my breath away, made me feel like fainting and left me with the worst anxiety but, the view at the top was worth every excruciating moment of the 2.5 mile climb up 1,500 feet, through 21 super steep switchbacks that led to the rocky pathway exposed on both sides with only a metal chain to keep you from falling off the edge, in the 100 degree summer heat, in full sun. Yes it really was that bad!

Let me start by saying we really weren’t prepared for this hike, we read over a few options in the visitor’s center, and settled on this one since we felt like we were still young enough to handle its “strenuous” nature. We both were wearing Camelbacks but didn’t fill them with water, pack snacks or sunscreen, just two Gatorade bottles and ourselves.

After the first half mile I had killed my Gatorade and we weren’t even at the toughest part, Walter’s Wiggles. In my defense it was noon, already 100 degrees out, and we were in full sun working up a sweat, but nonetheless I started to ration myself.

After countless stops and wanting to give up we finally reached what is called the refrigerator canyon and had our first bit of shade. At this point I thought I was done, I was dizzy and felt light headed, we hadn’t eaten breakfast and I could only have a sip or two of water since there wasn’t much left. But the people were so encouraging saying it’s not much further you are almost there, and dads with babies on their backs were blowing past us, even a man with his two elderly parents, and that’s when I knew I couldn’t give up, if those people could do it so could I.

Well those people were complete liars! We weren’t almost there, not even close. When we arrived to Walter’s Wiggles, the 21 switchbacks, I wanted to cry. Bless Devin for putting up with me this hike because I know I was one whiny Bitch complaining at each switchback having to rest for a few moments each time before doing the next one, and he endured that 21 times. After what seemed like forever we arrived at the top of Scout’s Lookout, only to find out the hike still wasn’t over.

This is where most people were turning around, and I wanted to too, but we had made it this far and had a few sips of the Gatorade left, so we pressed on. The last part of the climb is the scariest. For portions of the hike you are on a narrow path of rocks with only a chain to hold onto, there are no landings under you just the ground 5000 feet below.

Finally, four hours from when we started we made it to the top of Angel’s Landing, and all those people encouraging us to continue to see the view were right, it was amazing! The huge red rock formations contrasting against the green valley below and the bright blue sky with scattered puffy clouds was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. It took my breath away for the millionth time this trip.

The hike wasn’t over once we got to the top though. We still had to make it down those jagged rocky cliffs as others were passing us on the way up, and the steep incline that once had me breathless was now an extremely steep decline putting intense pressure on my ankles, knees, and thighs. Getting back down is sometimes the hardest part, and without water it definitely wasn’t easy. I don’t think I’ve ever been thirstier or drunk more water in my life than when I reached the bottom.

But I’d do the hike all over again to see those views, only this time with a Camelback full of water, a few Gatorades!

That’s my story…

xoxo, Andrea