Zion Canyons 2012

In Sept 2012, I joined Bob Madson, Sue Laing, and Ted Rupp for a week in Zion National Park. I did an activity every day as follows.
Day 1 - Descended Pine Creek Canyon (Bob, Rich, Sue, Ted)
Day 2 - Descended Spry Canyon (Bob, Rich, Sue)
Day 3 - Lady Mountain 4th Class climb (Bob, Rich, Ted)
Day 4 - Descended Russell Gulch (Bob, Rich)
Day 5 - Hiked to Hepworth Wash (Rich)
Day 6 - Descended Fat Man's Misery (Bob, Rich, Ted)

Pine Creek Descent
Ted downclimbing
Pine Creek Descent
Sue rappelling
Pine Creek Descent
Cold water in Pine Creek
Pine Creek Descent
Bob rappelling
Pine Creek Descent
The last rappel in Pine Creek is free
Pine Creek Descent
Bob setting up the last rappel
Pine Creek Descent
Sue rappelling
Pine Creek Descent
Bob cooling off as we hike out
Sunset view from the Watchman Campground in Zion
Spry Canyon Descent
A faded petroglyph pannel is near the top of the pass that you cross to access Spry Canyon
Spry Canyon Descent
Bob doing the first rappel
Spry Canyon Descent
Sue doing the first rappel
Spry Canyon Descent
Sue getting a spot
Spry Canyon Descent
Spry Canyon Descent
Spry Canyon Descent
Spry Canyon Descent
Lady Mountain Climb
There were a couple of tricky moves on the climb
Lady Mountain Climb
Lady Mountain Climb
There were two places where we used a rope going up
Lady Mountain Climb
View of Zion Valley from near the top
Lady Mountain Climb
The route is clear. Many years ago, arrows and cables guided people to the top. The cables were taken down but remnants of the route remains.
Lady Mountain Climb
Zion Canyon from the top
Lady Mountain Climb
Zion Canyon from the top
Lady Mountain Climb
Going down a tricky spot. This was easier coming up.
Lady Mountain Climb
Lady Mountain Climb
We rappelled the hard moves on the descent
Lady Mountain Climb
This was the other place where we used a rope on the way up.
Lady Mountain Climb
Lady Mountain Climb
Russell Gulch Descent
This canyon is not done very often. It is on the way to the Subway and it is usually bypassed since it makes a long day when done with the Subway. We did only Russel Gulch and then backtracked,
Russell Gulch Descent
Russell Gulch Descent
some wading but no swimming
Russell Gulch Descent
Russell Gulch Descent
Near the confluence with the Subway
Russell Gulch Descent
Hiking back to the Trailhead
Russell Gulch Descent
Hepworth Wash hike
This hike starts at the east end of the Zion tunnel and goes up a Gifford Creek
Hepworth Wash hike
The crux is to find a way through the first cliffbands when heading west from Gifford Creek. the route goes just to the right of the largest tree in this photo.
Hepworth Wash hike
After crossing a pass, you descend into a small sslot canyon
Hepworth Wash hike
Eventually you reach Hepworth Wash. If you follow it to the North, you reach a point above the Zion tunnel and can look down on the switchbacks below.
Hepworth Wash hike
The view above the switchbacks
Hepworth Wash hike
Big arch in Hepworth Wash
Hepworth Wash hike
Fat Man's Misery Descent
The back side of Checkerboard Mesa on the approach to Fat man's Misery
Fat Man's Misery Descent
First rappel
Fat Man's Misery Descent
First rappel
Fat Man's Misery Descent