The last woman that gave me a hard time, I 'wrote off' over this cliff, (1,500 feet). Watch it, Editor!
See next two pictures.
Click on arrow to hear the music. Perhaps, we should have asked Brian to sing 'Unchained Melody".
Couldn't resist plugging our book. Then again, if not us, who? We met a local woman on Observation Point
the day before who mentioned, out the blue, that a man pushed his wife off a cliff across the way some years back.
The coincidence made us smile, the deed, horrific.
The upper part of the 'devil'...um...that should be the 'angel' as viewed at 7am on Tuesday.
What are the chances of meeting an American who can speak Afrikaans, has traveled to the country
frequently, is able to hike up Angels Landing with relative ease and by another fluke in timing, meets
two South Africans, now 'artificialized' Americans, at the summit? The odds are not good—we think
the lottery is a better deal. Obviously that happened as we found ourselves and Neil Harper, the only hikers
on the summit, for a while. If you add in the pesky rodents that hinder people taking breakfast at the top
then there were a number of those, too.
Part three of the climb: This is the path towards the rock bridge crossing and then up to the summit.
'Are we having fun yet?'
We've been disappointed in the behavior of people around and towards animals in the wild, at times, especially
as there are strict guidelines in effect. Many people think it's cute and kind-hearted to feed wild animals.
Reminds us of some of the well-known sayings, one being 'his/her heart is in the right place'. However,
there needs to be an alignment of head and heart, too. What at times we consider kindness is in fact, cruelty.
When we feed wild animals with human food they change. They become dependent on humans, crave the high-calorie
food or in the case of the large predators, eat the kind humans instead. What's worse, they eat the law-abiding
humans, too. Once the animals become dependent on human handouts they usually have to be killed. So misguided
kindness often kills. It reminds us of something we learned a while ago. We should do kind deeds not because
they might make us feel good but because they are good things to do whether we feel elevated or not.
We suppose that was a rant so thanks for reading. It helps a lot especially when the editor switches off and
goes 'uhuh...uhuh' every now and again. By the way, Neil is a very charming man—it was great meeting him on the Angel.
A view from Angels Landing. They don't get much better as the early sun lights the butte below.
A view from Angels Landing. I don't think we've seen better scenes there (2nd visit).
Jenni begins carefully and finishes...carefully but strongly. (Maude will notice change of clothing.)
Angels Landing is considered strenuous and dangerous. At least six people have fallen off the cliff and died
in the last few years. Nevertheless, it is extremely popular for reasons that reach deep into the human
condition. We find that it keeps us sharp and creates a heightened level for our senses—some might add that
may be so, but not sensible. Whatever ones view on the subject, we approach the cliffs with respect and caution.
Having said that, after our seventh completion of the hike, we had a disagreement. Before continuing, some know
there are chains positioned at most of the danger spots, allowing people to hang on and/or pull themselves up
with support. We said to our editor that we are considering not using chain support on our next attempt, not
realizing such attempt would take place two days later.
On leaving Zion, we decided to stop for a last farewell and attempt Angels Landing again. It is one of those hikes
for which we keep a strict tally. Our editor thought it too dangerous and bordering on showing-off. We countered by
stating that we are more confident lately and that in order to grow, we ought to push a little harder.
Show-off or not, the real challenge is within and not against others or for display to an audience. Apparently,
she does not buy the argument. Let's see what happens on Angels Landing, number eight.
In our opinion, a stunner at the Angel.
"Will you wait while I blow my nose?" Early stages of the ascent.
Meantime, the editor holds on as she climbs for the second time in three days.
We had intended doing a sunset hike up Angels Landing (7th). However, when we passed the trailhead on the
way to and from Observation Point the day before, we decided against that time. We had forgotten it was a
holiday weekend and many people were visiting the park. Instead we went for a sunrise ascent. We began at
first light although would have preferred an earlier start. We peaked as numbers five and six, making it
nice and quiet. The sunlight proved to be ideal; it was soft thereby tinting the colossal walls, bringing
out hidden colors. We mentioned in the blog of Observation Point hike and repeat that this is a magnificent
part of the world. Quite bluntly, we love the region.
A favorite picture in a favorite place of my most favorite person.
The 'walls are alive with the sound of silence'.
One of the difficult parts using the 'no chains' system. The slope towards the outside is a problem.
The excitement generated by both the ascent and descent is unique. We suppose when standing on edges two-feet
wide in places with major fall-offs to both sides will do that for a person. We have come across many people
over the years, while hiking on the slab, in various levels of fear and even terror. We'll never forget seeing
a woman lying before the rock-bridge screaming. Fortunately, we were able to calm her. Yesterday, we watched
a few take a look at the slab, turn around and head down quickly. There is a two mile steep climb, before the
final ascent, which brings one to Scout Landing or the base of the slab. It was very cool on the day, even cold,
and yet we saw a young fellow sweating profusely. There is only one secret to success on the Angel.
Be cautious and careful.
One more look down the canyon, following the flow of the Virgin River.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
Two days later, we humbly exclaim: "We hiked up-and-down without touching the chains, as in,
'Look Mom, no chains' or 'set me free from my chains'." Our editor is somewhat 'miffed'. It's hard to please her.
(See earlier text for background).
No comments:
Post a Comment