Zion: Moqui Peak and Watchman Brain Challenge

Harlan W S + Andy A. + Luba L. + Jeff B.
Nov 18-19, 2012

This trip started as the traditional CP Zion Thanksgiving bash. Alas, rain the first day, and previous week, turned many objectives into brittle sandstone deathtraps. I arrived for the 2nd day festivities. We forewent the planned North Guardian Angel traverse. and took the shorter and easier goal of Moqui Peak.

On the next day, Andy A and I went up the Watchman, while the rest of the group went on a backpack. I was worried about the short day, but with very good beta from Sarah, we were at the top of Watchman in just under 3 hours,

"Trailhead"and route for Moqui Peak.	True to CP style, we started before sunrise.	View ESE, as sun rises over W rim of Zion Canyon. West Temple is at R side of photo.
View ENE to Guardian Angels.	A crack provides a fast way through the false summit	"Half-Subway."
Luba is not normally so blurry.		Overdressed folks on top.
Proper attire. Arrogance!		Tabernacle Dome is the brownish lump in center; the Guardian Angels are in the distance at right.
	Sarah creeps down.
Short rap down.
Luba and Sarah.		The other folks gear up for a backpack to a mystery peak.
Sarah and Dominic booze up.		Net day I met Andy A for a trip up Watchman. Our track is in blue. Contour interval is 80', so the maps is deceptively "flat."
This is Watchman as seen years before, from Watchman Campground.	Watchman as seen from Johnson Mountain in 2006. Our approximate track (for 2012) is in blue.	So on Nov 19. 2012, Andy and I started up the use trail at ~7:15AM. There was enough light to see without lamps. View S to Eagle Crags.
Andy slogs up the tiring use trail	View from 2006-- to give you an idea of the "trail." One must climb up and over the cliffs in back, then descend to the valley between Johnson Ridge and The Watchman.	View to W side of Zion Canyon, from near the pass on Johnson Ridge.
Kinesava from the same area.	The route to crux as seen from North Johnson. Original photo courtesy of Jeff Branin.	Johnson Mountain, as seen from W side of Watchman.
	Andy climbs down off a peaklet on the last ridge.	Andy on top, Kinesava and West Temple in back. We both have some brain damage. but complement each other's skills.
View to NE, Hepworth-Gillford area.	View N over Bridge Mt and East Temple.

		Long pants! I was hot, but the brush made me decide to tolerate the heat.
	Now we head down. We found a route around the E side of this obstacle on descent.
Down the fixed rope on crux. I downclimbed this free when I was younger and stupider.