Bug Lab Zion Trip II

This was the second research trip I took to Zion National Park this year. It was a quick, three days, in and out and a whole lot of miles. Ryan and I found a spot to pitch our tents on BLM land just outside the park. We got up early, marched around, and collected samples for two days. One night the wind was so bad that it left layers of dirt on my stuff inside the tent.

Our first site on the Left Fork

On our way to the Grapevine site, before our misadventure.

After the picture (above) was taken, we had to make our own trail. We came to a part of the river in which we could either go through the water or crawl up and around to try and get down the other side. We opted to climb. BAD idea. I ended up sliding down a really steep face and tearing the skin up on my arms and legs. Ryan lost his camera and one water shoe. Needless to say, we had to backtrack about an hour and ended up walking through the water, which we should have done in the first place. The misadventure left us shaky and exhausted. Even though we had another day of work, we were just ready to go home. However, we did have success and ended up with some great samples of insects from Zion.

Canyoneering; Mystery Canyon and Teton Backpacking

Canyoneering at Mystery Canyon
Zion National Park

My dad invited Cole and I to go canyoneering with him one weekend. So, we took off of school and headed south. We camped on the ground on BLM land, started early to the canyon with an hour drive and an hour hike and then down climbed for another mile. The canyon had beautiful trees, and walls. We hiked and did rappel after rappel. It was so cool. The second to last rappel was down a canyon wall with hanging gardens. It was so beautiful. The last rappel ended in the narrows, so we looked like rock stars to all the hikers below! If you ever get a chance to do Mystery - take it. Its the coolest canyon I've been in!

Cole and I at the top of the Canyon

Final Rappel into the Narrows

Here we are after our Rockstar Rappel! Cole, Leezanna, Dad, Clive and Mark

Teton Backpacking
Grand Teton National Park

Over Labor Day weekend Cole and I drove northward to Grand Teton to do a backpacking trip in Death Canyon and on the shelf. Unfortunately I got sick and so we left a little earlier than planned, but it was beautiful and a great place to go for the weekend.

Cole and I hiking through the mountains

In our matching Poly Propes in the tent

Tetons in the background

Canyoneering

Zion National Park
Canyoneering
Subway Attempt
Keyhole Canyon
Pine Creek Canyon

the crew after Keyhole - Caitlin, Mark, Chalay, Allen, Ross, Me, Cole, Brian and Isaac
Hanging out in the canyon - Allen, Cole and I

Pine Creek Canyon, waiting for a rappel
Allen, Ross, me, Cole and Mark

Waiting some more.

The beginning of the Subway Hike. We didn't go through the Subway though because of the water level.

Cole and I in our canyoneering gear.

Out of the Subway Hike - we got snowed on, right after this I slipped and fell in the mud

The entrance to the Subway

Zion National Park

My dad donated some canyoneering trips to the Women in Philanthropy gala back in November so he, most willingly, dedicated a week of his life to take the people who bought the trip and then invited the family for the rest of the time in Zion.

We planned on doing the Subway on Friday, but we got to a point where water flow could be gauged and my dad said "no way" because the water was too high. I'm glad he made the safety call. About half our group hiked down to the start of the Subway canyon though - I'm excited to do it in the fall. It was really beautiful. So, instead of pouting for the rest of the day, we got a permit to do Keyhole canyon. Its a short, beginner canyon but I think everyone was glad to have gotten a feel of what they were doing and to do something because the other plan didn't go accordingly. We were all exhausted after we got to the cabin (home for the weekend). So we ate, played afew games and passed out all over the place.

The next day we got up and did the Pine Creek Canyon. It was a lot more intense than Keyhole, but cool nonetheless. A long day for everyone brought a lot of time for hottubbing and hanging out. It was a great trip for all, and I look forward to doing again in the fall.