My Experience on Angel's Landing

I feel very nervous when I wake up in the pitch darkness of 6 am to drive into the park and catch the 7 am tram. Fresh snow and ice had fallen on Zion the day before. People die on this hike, in fact, a man had fallen just a few weeks ago. Am I being stupid? Am I going to hurt myself?

I shovel down a quick breakfast and fill my pack with water and snacks for the day.

On the tram, I see cute, outdoorsy, athletic-looking couples snuggled together against the morning chill. I hear young college groups chatting excitedly about the upcoming journey. I try to ignore any nagging thoughts of unworthiness as I sit there alone. I spend the 30-minute ride focusing on the beauty of the location I’m in. The low-hanging clouds give the canyon walls an eerie but breathtaking look about them. I remind myself that I am incredibly lucky to be here, in this very moment, seeing this amazing place.

Once we exit the tram, we are all headed towards the same trailhead. I had already prepared myself mentally for this hike and know I needed to take it slow and steady. Plenty of people pass me by and I am grateful to quickly have the trail to myself. As I am walking, I am overcome with excitement! Happy tears fall down my cheeks as I pray aloud heading down the trail, thanking God that He has blessed me with this opportunity and with a body healthy enough to attempt this hike. I ask Him to keep me safe and to help me listen to my body if it tells me to stop. I reminded myself: no matter how far I make it on this trail, or how long it takes me, I will be proud of myself.

The hike boasts a 1500 foot elevation gain in only 2.5 miles of climbing. The first section rises easily and you quickly get a view of where you’re headed. The sun has not risen above the canyon walls as I climb, and feel invigorated by the anticipation.

The next section exhausts me, the switchbacks are steep and long. I stop at the turn many times before pushing through the next rise. Luckily, the views of the canyon are increasingly gorgeous as I climb.

Refrigerator Canyon lives up to its name and is a welcome reward of shade after tackling the section before.

Next comes Walter’s Wiggles. I am excited to see them because I know at the top is Scout Lookout, the last stop before the ridge. I connect with a group of college students on my way up. They had flown from Pennsylvania to Vegas and then driven to Zion. I enjoy talking with them and their conversation helps the switchbacks pass quickly. Twenty-one turns later and I am there, Scout Lookout!

People mill about here, many take a long rest, even more turn back at this point. By now, the sun is shining but the ice is patchy on the ridge ahead. I ask one woman if anyone has come back from the top yet. She hasn’t seen anyone. Then, a couple of young men that had been on the tram with me that morning appear, scrambling down the path with ease. They stop near me to answer a couple who ask how it was. “Amazing” they reply. “Slippery in places but not too bad.”

I’m still not sure I should go. I don’t want to be stupid and hurt myself. But then, something inside of me says “Go with the next group, it will be ok”

So as the next couple of people approached the ridge, so do I.

The nature of the last half mile of this trail keeps you in the same order. Unlike the trail to Scout Lookout, there is no room for manuevering. In a single file line, we climb the ridge together. There are few places to rest but my group is going slowly. I am grateful whenever we have to pause to let another group pass on their way back down from the top.

At one point, we are all bear crawling across a slippery section of sandstone that angles down towards the edge of the ridge. I freeze for a moment in fear, “You’ve got this!” I hear behind me, my courage returns. The chains are extremely welcome, although, they seem to disappear when you really need them. I am grateful for my gloves giving me an extra grip.

As I climb, the views are incredible. Sheer drop-offs, sometimes on both sides. Panoramic views of the canyon. I spot the road I came down in the tram, a thin, grey ribbon below.

Finally, after an hour of climbing, my group reaches the top! Surely, few things on this earth could top the pride and awe I feel in this moment!!

I planned an entire trip to Utah so that I could complete this hike.

One of the main reasons why I wanted to go to Zion National Park was to hike to Angel’s Landing. People always talk about the hike with awe and reverence. Not only because it is a challenging hike at a high elevation. What they speak about are the chains. Standing on the ridge with a fall to your death inches away from both sides of your feet. I had seen pictures of the view at the top and I don’t know why but for some reason I just knew I needed to do this hike.

I’ve always seen myself as someone that is adventurous but I’ve never seen myself as athletic. I started following people like Unlikely Hikers and read stories of women that looked more like me accomplishing hikes like this one. I told myself that I could too. I’ve never had a great relationship with my body but I’m working on it. Doing this hike for myself is probably one of the most important things I’ve done yet to remind myself that I have value and worth and that this body is holy even if it’s not skinny.

I’m not always happy with myself. In fact, I have spent a lot of time not liking myself at all. But I was so proud that day. And am still so proud.

Whatever it is you’re waiting to leap into, do it. And don’t wait. Don’t let fear or the opinions of others stop you. And may you inspire others to do the same.

*Angel’s Landing is a dangerous and strenuous hike. It is not recommended if you are afraid of heights. I used Youtube videos like this one to prepare myself mentally and read many articles about what I would need on the trail. I also trained myself physically by walking 2.5 miles on a treadmill at an incline a couple of times a week leading up to my trip. Hiking Permits are now required to hike past Scout Lookout. Hiking Angel's Landing Survival Guide - includes pictures and lots of advice about the hike. Don’t forget that after this intense hike you still have to climb down! Climbing down is much scarier in my opinion and is also very hard on your knees and feet.