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1000Pks wrote:Really! I never liked steep friction that much, is there very much of that on the class 2-3 in Zion?

The problem, Pete, is that those class 2-3 slabs can quickly become class 4-5 slabs. And that's when it gets ugly!

I think now I'd hire a guide for NGA, it's one grudge peak for the last 30 years, for me! Any recommendations, there?

Pete, I've done NGA several times (via various routes and variations). I'm always up for another trip. I've got a tour of the mountain I could take you on that you'd love. Let's coordinate our schedules and I'll gladly take you up the thing. Anyone else who's been yearning to go can come along.

1000Pks wrote:...but I'd prefer to pay you good if that was legal in Zion, for you.

Pay is not necessary. I love the peak and would be honored to show it to someone who's wanted to climb it for 3 decades.

I'd just want to bag the peak, no traverses or harder routes for me. I read you have to do 3 rappels to get down, is that true?

I've never used a rope (up or down) on the standard route. I'll bring one along for you, and we'll have you do as many rappels as you need. No big deal.

I'd be up for NGA -- schedule allowing.

The rappels that I've seen (in TRs) look pretty low-angle -- the rope seems more to lend confidence on those steep sandstone ramps.

Sounds like a (vague) plan. Let's do it.

I'm working on a DNA sample to send to you.

Joking aside, I normally drive up to Zion the night before, because my damaged brain doesn't deal well with early starts and lack of sleep.

Aaron Johnson of SP has "hiked" with me, and I think he provides a believable reference.

Here's a video of me climbing on Zion-like rock:
http://hwstock.org/sent10/sen10b.mpg
(My voice isn't that high -- but the video was taken with someone's 5-year-old digital camera, it's not an MLC trick.)

Guides normally have to be registered for National Parks; but you can always treat CP to $150 worth of food at Oscar's .

1000Pks wrote:Rather buy a new rope to be used on the climb, then given for the success. $150 worth of food at Oscar's? Is it a swanky place? Springdale?

I'm joking. $150 of food at Oscar's would kill most people.

Why all this talk of money? Why not keep the cash and just enjoy a day out in the hills with us? Good will does exist, as improbable as it seems. Or perhaps you prefer someone with "credentials," which you'll not find to take you up NGA.

Regardless, it's up to you, man. The offer's there. And I'll vouch for Moapa, who will vouch for me -- neither of us are homicidal maniacs. DB's the one you gotta worry about.

1000Pks wrote:Fees are an incentive for the guide to show up. I wouldn't want to drive my 2,000 miles to find you slept in...

Ask Rick Kent or MoapaPk or Day Hiker or Andinistaloco or Matthew Holliman or Dow Williams or SarahThompson or ... about me "sleeping in" on mountain days. Ask Day Hiker about the many, many times we met at 2 AM to go climb in Zion. Sleep in? Not gonna happen, Peter.

Besides, I'm obsessed with Zion, if you haven't already noticed. Do you really think it's likely I'm not going to participate?

Accidents do happen. If I suffered say a broken leg, there would be an insurance policy to pay with a responsible guide service, assuming I won in court.

Don't have any insurance that's gonna cover you, man. We go to NGA as new friends, helping each other out, each doing our part to try and keep the group safe. Nothing more; nothing less.

I've pretty much seen it all and done it all.

Seems a bit over the top. I've summited 1,000 different mountains and haven't seen the tip of the iceberg. There's so much to this world, Peter. Let's go see some of Zion together.

A Vegas meet up on me is in the works, given you guys can agree on a time and place.

Lemme know. I look forward to it.

It's your world, man. Just lemme know when you wanna climb NGA and we'll see if we can put a plan together.

May/June is an awesome time for NGA. I'll be gone for much of the summer (mid-June to early August, that is). Fall is good for me too.

cp0915 wrote:

1000Pks wrote:Fees are an incentive for the guide to show up. I wouldn't want to drive my 2,000 miles to find you slept in...

Ask Rick Kent or MoapaPk or Day Hiker or Andinistaloco or Matthew Holliman or Dow Williams or SarahThompson or ... about me "sleeping in" on mountain days.

Cp speaks the truth. I still have nightmares about that dude shaking me at 1:45 am... "dude, come on, it's time to get going." Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

1000Pks wrote:If you hear of fantastic conditions, like a solid snow pack to hike over, ...

I'm guessing that you don't really want a solid snow pack for the approach to NGA, and you are unlikely to find one in May/June. The approach is up the N side of the peak, and the walk isn't very long.

Although I've only met Courtney once I can forewarn others that when he is up and about he may likely parade in strange headgear. Again I'm only basing this on a one day encounter, but after summiting G2 that dude donned a helmut with horns nearly two feet long. Clashed a bit with the tie dye shirt, but rambunctious nonetheless.

Zachary, if you're flying into Vegas enroute to Zion you may want to consider a short stop at Valley of Fire or nearby Buffington Pockets or perhaps Whitney Pockets south of Mesquite on Gold Butte Rd. These places offer scrambling opportunities and also literally a warm up to the higher elevations of Zion.

And when you get to Zion, east side as other(s) have mention would be worth exploring such as a loop hike that could include selecting from a menu of the Jughandle Arch, Aires Butte, Center of the Universe, Petro Canyon and return to start via Rt 9 or Clear Creek.

1000Pks wrote:I'd love to bag Signal in the Pine Nuts, too, then Delano as well. If someone would meet me, that would be so nice. Lots of high peaks north of Zion, it'd make for my summer vacation.

Signal likely will have snow in the valley in late May and June. With the snow so far this year, Delano may have road closures up through June.