A Few Pretty Words...
P4
Jugging Up...
P3
Getting wet & heading down...
P2
After being put in our place elsewhere by a variety of factors, Shirley & I found ourselves in the beautiful Zion on a warm (but not too hot) May morning. Given the high-volume-flow state of the river, we opted for the dry-foot approach from the Grotto Bridge. We wanted to do the Moonlight Buttress route and to spend the night on it, figuring that it was a good time to avoid the ever-present crowds (see aforementioned longer approach)....and that it would provide a confidence rebuilder following a night-long waterfall hosing & subsequent bailing off the Dihedral Wall in Yosemite. Halfway through the approach we were passed by a couple guys planning on a day climb (which in the end did not work out for them) and had a party with three European climbers at base who were going for a free ascent.
As we were hauling our bag & ledge, we started via the "direct" variation (topo). With easy hauling throughout, stress-free aid, a full-moon night, and a quick descent we got what we came for: a great fun time on a pretty line and in a brand-new-for-us area (despite being molested at night by a wall rat).
A Few Photos...
Approach
The "Long" Approach
The Route
Pitch 3
Pitch 4
Pitch 4
Bivy
Pitch 5
Pitch 5
Pitch 5
Pitch 6
Pitch 6
Pitch 7
Pitch 8
The Top
