Afraid of Heights? No problem, just don't look down.

Trek to top of Angel's Landing, Zion National Park, Utah. Five miles, ~4 hours including breaks and lunch.

I had no idea how challenging this hike would be! It is dubbed the "most strenuous" frontcountry hike in Zion National Park, but who knew it would require climbing straight up for two and a half hours?! Cindy and I hiked together, leading the way (Cindy claimed a "pancake advantage" due to the lavish breakfast at Zion Ranch just before leaving for the park.) Janet and Jay brought up the rear. We started about 10 a.m. and got done at 2 p.m. (yes, doing this hike during the sunniest, hottest part of the day was not the best decision).

The first mile or so went okay, with a steep but manageable grade. Then we got to this interesting area called Walter's Wiggles, which got steeper and more difficult. Then we got to the last half-mile of the climb, where the park has installed metal chains to hang onto at some of the more dangerous spots, so you don't go skittering down the rock face to your death. (A Boy Scout died that way just two weeks earlier, and he fell so far it took two days to recover his body. Really.) It was probably the most difficult hiking I've done. The height bothered me a bit, and I couldn't discipline my mind enough to quit thinking of falling. At some points, the steep, rocky path was only a foot or two wide, with steep dropoffs on both sides. But it was worth it to get to the top, which was 1,500 feet above the place where we started, and the view there was spectacular.

Quote of the day (from Janet): "I'd hike Orderville Canyone three times before I'd do this again!"

We dragged our sweaty, bad selves into Springdale after our descent and enjoyed ice cream and cold pop.