Comments
No comments posted yet.
Sentinel
Sentinel
The Sentinel was the 5th major formation climbed in Zion National Park and was bagged in 1938. You will find little evidence of anyone climbing its ridge route since and for good reason. Mostly just a loose choosy climb until the last several hundred feet. cp0915 and I made it to the final obstacle in April, 2007, but did not bring the necessary gear for one of two crack options. One to the left behind a massive 3 story chockstone is at a very easy grade (5.7), but of course the rock is of the lowest quality and should not be soloed to be sure. To protect into the crack would take some large gear, including a #5 Camelot to protect your last move over loose ground to exit the crack. The exposure to the base of the chockstone and beyond is somewhat serious. The direct line is much better rock and involves a smaller crack eating up .5, .75 and "1's and follows into a corner then continues at a bit of an overhang. Again, the rock is so substandard, you ought to protect your moves well. I advise anyone going up to load up on smaller gear and take this much more aesthetic line. A third option to the right that starts at a large tree is comprised of nasty white rock, very easy grade, but I would not trust any protection in the crack options available. The white rock crumbles below your feet as you can imagine.
The Sentinel, Zion National Park, April 2006
Dow Williams
on May 3, 2007 2:27 pm
