Moonlight Photo TR

Page Type Page Type: Trip Report
Date Date Climbed/Hiked: May 9, 2009
Activities Activities: Aid Climbing
Seasons Season: Spring

A Few Pretty Words...

Dihedral WallP4
Dihedral WallJugging Up...
Dihedral WallP3
Dihedral WallGetting wet & heading down...
Dihedral Wall
Dihedral WallP2

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...

Moonlight ButtressApproach

Moonlight ButtressThe "Long" Approach

Moonlight ButtressThe Route

Moonlight ButtressPitch 3

Moonlight ButtressPitch 4

Moonlight ButtressPitch 4

Moonlight ButtressBivy

Moonlight ButtressPitch 5

Moonlight ButtressPitch 5

Moonlight ButtressPitch 5

Moonlight ButtressPitch 6

Why The Long Face??Pitch 6

Moonlight ButtressPitch 7

Moonlight ButtressPitch 8

Moonlight ButtressThe Top



Comments

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Viewing: 1-14 of 14
cp0915

cp0915 - May 13, 2009 9:52 am - Voted 10/10

Welcome to Zion

I'm glad you guys had a good time. A beautiful place, isn't it?

rpc

rpc - May 13, 2009 11:30 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Welcome to Zion

Thanks Courtney - it sure is pretty, kinda unique for a desert environ. with the deep reds of the rock AND greens down in the valleys...a beauty for sure!

asmrz

asmrz - May 13, 2009 2:19 pm - Voted 10/10

Loving the pictures

Radek and Shirley, I bet this will not be your last trip to Zion. Isn't that a beautiful place, and man, what a route!! Pen and I are just loving the pictures sitting here in the office,wishing we were there. Thanks for sharing the experience, you two rock! Cheers, Alois.

rpc

rpc - May 13, 2009 3:43 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Loving the pictures

Thank you very much Alois! A great fun route in a beautiful setting -- never been to Zion before when it was climbable. Amazing place. would love to go back (hopefully sooner than later :). Best regards!

Martin Cash

Martin Cash - May 13, 2009 7:23 pm - Voted 10/10

Looks like

a lot of fun! Great photos. Yeah, Zion is definitely a beautiful place. Looking forward to some more text to hear about your adventure.

rpc

rpc - May 13, 2009 7:54 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Looks like

thank you very much Martin. don't think I'll get more text in though...kinda not too much to write about I guess (no inspiration?? :) Appreicate the visit.

SawtoothSean

SawtoothSean - May 14, 2009 12:09 am - Voted 10/10

Wow!

Congrats on a great accomplishment- that's one of the great big walls!

rpc

rpc - May 14, 2009 11:53 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Wow!

Thank you Sean but this thing is really no big deal - easy (aid) climbing, easy walk off...just a nice, scenic package (crowds are the biggest challenge). Appreciate the visit & the good word Sir.

rpc

rpc - May 14, 2009 11:54 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Ya'll Got the Fever!

Chief,
thank you very much! Did use your LB's on Dihedral Wall (somewhere on the 1st 5 pitches that we did). Appreciate the visit & the good word!

marauders - May 14, 2009 1:24 am - Voted 10/10

Sweet...

...photos! What a climb!

rpc

rpc - May 14, 2009 11:55 am - Hasn't voted

Re: Sweet...

thank you very much for the good word!

lcarreau

lcarreau - May 14, 2009 9:58 pm - Voted 10/10

Radek ...

The location of your TR reads "California." Which is a remarkable
place, but I thought this was Zion.

I'm confused, which is NORMAL for me. Maybe I should drink some
of Bob's "Nectar IPA" to whip me back into shape ???

Outstanding page, Radek & Shirley !

rpc

rpc - May 14, 2009 10:15 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Radek ...

Thank you very much Larry (also for the correction)!

lcarreau

lcarreau - May 14, 2009 11:10 pm - Voted 10/10

Re: Radek ...

Not a problem. Oooops, I just got some 'Nectar IPA' up my nose!

While you & Shirley were doin' Moonlight Buttress, perhaps
Blondie ESCAPED to CA to visit some doggie friends ??? ?? : ))

Viewing: 1-14 of 14