Tabernacle Dome Traverse, Zion, Utah
AAAA Way!

Pics by Harlan W S, Jake and Cheryl S, Andy A
May 01, 2021

 This was a very short trip that was worth every mile driven, for a great experience with good friends. Just by slope, it would probably be called Class 3 in Red Rock, NV; but the Zion combo of loose sand ("sugar") on the rock, crumbly sandstone, and the occasional slick lichen suggests class 4 or low 5, especially for those with less-grippy shoes. In rain, the wet lichen would be treacherous.

Many thanks to Andy for all-around planning, rope work, and a descent route that I'm sure few people take. The descent was perhaps the most intriguing part of the trip. It's not the destination, it's the journey.

NGA = North Guardian Angel, SGA = South Guardian Angel

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Close up. We staged
the cars so we could
make a convenient loop.
Even with side trips,
it was about 2.7 miles.
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Context. The climb
is off the Kolob
Terrace Rd, near
Lamb's Knoll.
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The night before
I camped on BLM
land, falling asleep
early. Tracy actually
stayed 100 m NE,
but got in late. Some
noisy folks blocked
the road about 10PM,
so next morn I had
to drive out through
gaps between trees.
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Next morn, Tracy's
Jeep, Tabernacle to N.
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There were several
gullies that were
surprisingly slick
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Tracy in next
gully
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Cheryl and Jacob
in next gully. Jacob
volunteered to carry
the big rope.
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View N along way
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The "crux" is really
a perhaps 10' bit
of this ramp, near
top, where there
are few positive
holds in steep
slick sandstone.
Cheryl on ramp,
Tracy and Jacob
by tree.
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Summit! White peaks
in back (L to R): Pine
Valley Pk, West Northgate,
and NGA.
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Red Butte at far L

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West Temple and
Kinesava to S
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SGA
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NGA R of center,
W Northgate at L
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Pine Valley Pk
in back
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SGA again!
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Now we have walked
E down the ramp to
anchor for low-angle
rap. Andy sets up
single rope rap, tying
two lines together on
pull side.
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Jacob gets ready
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Jacob heads down
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Jacob with SGA
in back
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Tracy heads down
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View ~N from
bottom of rap
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Now we head ~SE then S
for exit rap
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View back NW at
cross-bedding on
tabernacle.
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 At descent slot,
as Andy rigs.
Pic by Cheryl.
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My spastic drop
off 1st step. Pic
by Andy.
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I'm at bottom of
1st slot, walked
to 2nd ledge, to
begin last part.
Pic by Andy.
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Tracy has started;
the circled dot is
his full body!
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Tracy comes down
2nd "step"
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Cheryl starts
way up
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Tracy belays
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Cheryl over lip of ledge
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Cheryl's pic of me
belaying Jacob,
gives a better idea
of slope
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My view of Jacob
at intermediate ledge.
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The slot is back
there.The surface
expression is
more than vertical
at top.