pandora_parrot | Zion Day 2, The Subway (Reply)

Today we did one of the more famous of the Zion hikes: The subway. 9 and a half miles, with 4 rappels, and a 400 foot ascent at the end. Really intense. It's 2300 hours, and I just got in moments ago.

I need to be up early to stand in line for a license to do Mystery Canyon, which is going to be an awesome hike we're going to do in a few days. Because of that, I don't have time to get my pictures for the day together and posted. I'll work on it tomorrow, since we're taking the day off.

The hike was absolutely incredible. We started by walking around in a desert forest. Absolutely bizarre. One of the most unique places I've ever been to. To a quick glance, it looked like we were hiking in a snow field filled with pine trees. But then you realize that it is really hot out and the "snow" field was actually the white rock of the mountain. It was bizarre and beautiful.

Swimming with my gear was really interesting, especially in the cold cold water. I had a moment where I had to take my pack off and push it ahead of me while swimming, because I was too wide to fit through the gaps in the canyon water. Now THAT was interesting. It's a bit panicky to be trying to go from swimming in 7+ ft. deep water to scooting yourself onto a narrow rock that's submerged about 3 feet below the surface, between two narrow canyon walls, and then jumping into the next pool that was 7+ ft. deep while making sure to keep your pack above water. Fun and intense!

This was the longest hike I've ever done, and the hardest. I don't think we brought enough water for the trip, 22 liters for 6 people, because we all ran out before the end.

parmonster and I were nearly passing out from dehydration as we made the 400 foot ascent out of the canyon. We had to stop every five feet just to breathe and wait for the dizziness, nausea, etc. to go away. Even

auntysarah started to get dehydrated near the top of the ascent.

But we all made it out safely, enjoyed ourselves immensely, and got back to the hotel supremely exhausted. As I said, tomorrow is an all rest day. And then things happen this weekend.

I've been thinking a lot about my mother, the meaning of life, death, and mortality while I've been out there. I might post about that more once I've done more processing. Or maybe not.

See you tomorrow or so!

Oh! I also wanted to say: I really want to do this again... SOON. With my more usual crew of

viesti,

chirik,

lilyth_lindorie and others that would be interested in coming. It's a REALLY intense hike, but they would absolutely adore it, once they worked up the courage to keep going. :)

EDIT: Here are the pictures!

Here we are getting prepared at the top of the Subway hike:

From Zion Day 2 - The Subway

I was amazed by the stark white rock against the green trees that sprouted from it here and there.

From Zion Day 2 - The Subway

To me, this looks exactly like we were hiking through a snowy mountain top.

From Zion Day 2 - The Subway

I got some video of us hiking on it! (Click for video)

From Zion Day 2 - The Subway

I think this photo just looks fantastic.

From Zion Day 2 - The Subway

And the distance that we could see up there!

From Zion Day 2 - The Subway

This part of the hike was also really beautiful and amazing: (click for video)

From Zion Day 2 - The Subway

I took this video on the way down to the Subway:

This is a picture of the iconic subway area, but the picture doesn't really show off the reason why they call it the subway. Just google it if you want to know. :)