South Guardian Angel, Zion, UT

pics by Harlan W.S. & Luba L.
Oct 27, 2010

By using a GPS track from Mike C and instructions from CP, we were able to complete the RT in 9.5 hours, with few route-finding issues. We didn’t need Subway permits.

A herd of 30 or more elk ran across the trail as we started. The air was cold, and there had been recent rains – most of the sand was frozen in the first hour or so.

Don’t try to reproduce the route from this map alone! Note that in Zion, the contour interval is 80’.	We arrive at the N Guardian overlook just after sunrise. The West Temple is visible over the L shoulder of N Guardian.	We head SSE over slabs, just below N Guardian.
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View back up at N Guardian.	S Guardian is the peak in the distance.	This is the upper of the 2 brushy chutes; note the tree. At the bottom of the chute, cut NE across the brushy/grassy bowl to pick up the next chute.
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Now we’re in the Left Fork, N of the Subway.	View up;, short 4^th-class pitch. I was trying to decide if I should try the R or the L, when I realized my pack was hanging up. So I tossed down my pack, forgetting to take the webbing with me! I went L, and the holds were covered with wet sand-mud from the recent rains.	So now Luba climbs up, and tries to throw webbing to me so we can haul the packs. I tied my belt around a tree and used it to help me lean over the edge, so I could catch the webbing!
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	Next Ed comes up the 3^rd class chute with the chockstone.	Now we are up on the plateau on the east side of the river, and have just climbed out of the wash. View ~NE.
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More climbing up onto the Guardian ridge.	Rest stop before heading up the final 800’.	View NW from ridge; I was on some of those little peaks 11 days back.
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Another view SW from the ridge.	Looking up the slabs. It’s mostly class 2 from here, if you find the easier ledges.	N Guardian is at L.
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Luba and Ed, Greatheart Mesa in back.		West Temple is the high peak in distance.
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On top!	View ~W as Ed looks through the sopping-wet register.	N Guardian at L.
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Arrogance!		View SW over the one iffy section near the summit.
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		There were bizarre hoodoos all over.
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This little climb-down allowed us to avoid a fairly tall wall.	The endless wash on the plateau.	Coming down over the chockstone.
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We decided to rap down over the 4^th class section.	Luba starts down. There was an odd lip, and for a moment I was sort of just hanging.	Now we are back on the other side of the river, and Luba comes up one of the funky, crumbly chutes.
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View back at S Guardian.	View back at N Guardian.	Furry friend.
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