skyclimb Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Trip: Zion - Moonlight Buttress Date: 12/15/2006 Trip Report: What can I say about Zion this time of year? It is cold, isolated from the crowds, and still holds the wonder and awe of an amazing National Park. My good Friend Eric and I migrated from our respective homes to this sanctuary with the intent of ticking off the Moonlight Buttress. Driving the icy roads into the park from the north, I was humbled as always when I saw the size of the walls in the claustrophobic Virgin River canyon. Eric and I rendevoused that night at the climbers campground at mile marker 23.8 on the road to Zion, and prepared for our next days rope fixing extravaganza. This preperation was hours of drinking cheap, potent, libations and smokations! Wading the Virgin River the next morning was a joy, as it was only knee deep and a whopping 39 degrees....we were wondering where the PBR girls were on a glorious day such as this. The route starts as a 5.8 corner that has fun climbing, and varied movements, followed by a c1 pitch traversing uner a roof, and a drilled angle ladder pitch(easiest of the route). We fixed these three pitches, and spent the night in Springdale eating and drinking. As per schedule we waded the river the next morning at about 5:00a.m., jugged our ropes to the top of pitch 3, and began the adventure. Eric got the dihedral pitch...180 feet of splitter c1. I got the roof pitch/chimney that is grunty aiding, followed by red aliens for 50 feet...Eric linked the two spliter straight in crack pitches...At this point we are racing the sunset. I embarked on the nutting pitch to be benighted, and Eric finished the last pitch with 5.7 free at about 11:00p.m. The decent is a glorious paved trail that gently returned us back to the canyon floor and keystone ICE!!! A very classic route, easy aid, great position and setting. Happy Holidays, and a great New Year! Gear Notes: Doubles, and triples of yellow and red alien, 3.5 camelot is the biggest you need. Approach Notes: Wad the river and you are there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billcoe Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Another great TR, hot damn we're on a roll here: thanks Skyclimb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weekend_Climberz Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Nice pics Sounds like a good outing and some great times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandShark Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 woot! nice job Nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyHarry Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 RIght on kids. I love Zion. Looks like you were movin pretty efficiently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layton Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 hells ya boyz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spicoli11 Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Looks like a great time....nuth'in like the special lined can taste of keystone after a good day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderhound Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Sicker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olyclimber Posted December 29, 2006 Share Posted December 29, 2006 Awesome! Thanks for the TR, happy new year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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