chandlerwest
Member
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2015
- Messages
- 533
I can't believe it has been a year since I did anything exploratory in Zion NP. Let's blame it on Springdale road construction (installation of parking meters mostly) and not having much uncharted to trudge through. Yesterday I went someplace that doesn't have a name so I'm not even going to tell you where I went. It is a mystery trip report.
With our recent rains I felt that the day could be extremely short. Surely potholes would be filled with water or dry falls would prove to be walls. So I felt I would possibly be home by noon. It turned out being a 6 hour day. I got a chilly, late for me, start. I always like the first picture of a drainage. They always look so jumbled. A mess. Which hide the wonder that lies beyond.
![IMG_1174.jpg IMG_1174.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70643-5f06f8b029f5e37ee97d9d2c74884f8f.jpg)
The potholes did not disappoint!
![IMG_1175.jpg IMG_1175.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70644-7d56a82e9a820dad2fad7aaaef7ddc3b.jpg)
![IMG_1177.jpg IMG_1177.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70645-99eb82d332a17edad2c765cd5837dd3d.jpg)
![IMG_1179.jpg IMG_1179.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70646-6d6fd183814c56b0e0d980911593af74.jpg)
Having scouted this far on an earlier trip I knew this dry fall was here. Having seen a family of three come down it I wasn't concerned about getting past it. Wouldn't it be wondrous and terrifying to see water rushing over this?
![IMG_1180.jpg IMG_1180.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70647-e29000d3dae675a722c7165cffc0a1b6.jpg)
It wasn't too long before I came to this dry fall. I had seen it on Google Earth. Assuming that the fall would be a.....wall, I hoped that I could plow my way up the debris slope. But water took that option out. So I made my way to dry fall.
![IMG_1187.jpg IMG_1187.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70648-55b77d41938e67e71ac03aebb9734f19.jpg)
But taking it one section at a time I made it to the top and ready to ride this drainage until It stops me.
![IMG_1190.jpg IMG_1190.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70649-2b22139a2e2007bb4cc78684cc00dd0d.jpg)
![IMG_1192.jpg IMG_1192.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70650-f55cb184b966e1790175a661fabeab9c.jpg)
Taking what seemed to be the obvious route I found myself on this ridge/bench above the stream. You fill a bit silly that you evidently made an error but you look around and "it's all good!"
![IMG_1197.jpg IMG_1197.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70651-5b07c0424add9b7b8ae992fb15923fd8.jpg)
![IMG_1198.jpg IMG_1198.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70652-d21875b32459a4d889e90ea5928c0de0.jpg)
Back on the right course. Eventually things begin to narrow up. There was very little fall color. Hitting fall colors in Zion is a crap shoot!
![IMG_1200.jpg IMG_1200.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70653-01b563a1685e5cc3803d1e216cb37b80.jpg)
![IMG_1203.jpg IMG_1203.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70654-ed29c56c74552b6c2164b661b900cdcd.jpg)
![IMG_1204.jpg IMG_1204.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70655-037374c4470deb37b60a3613d85c0bf7.jpg)
![IMG_1209.jpg IMG_1209.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70656-e4aabeda41fcce4bc4c9800b879d2660.jpg)
Dang it, I found myself on another higher ridge.
![IMG_1211.jpg IMG_1211.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70657-1dc4e6e5e67b5fa8526e3521aead287a.jpg)
![IMG_1213.jpg IMG_1213.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70658-8211a2aca0fc21aabcd378af5b496364.jpg)
![IMG_1214.jpg IMG_1214.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70659-d986114a5876e389ef47622ea60dec49.jpg)
The canyon truly narrows as I got closer to the headwall. Now it was only a matter of how my potholes and boulders I could get around.
![IMG_1215.jpg IMG_1215.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70660-642f444f12afb8ad0fe92088dde2751a.jpg)
![IMG_1216.jpg IMG_1216.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70661-86974ebc23e8accdf3547e513dc2823c.jpg)
![IMG_1217.jpg IMG_1217.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70662-3fbb43eb0e2cc7f0fad7ecd649b2ef47.jpg)
This one had me stumped. It was a horrible stretch from the rock in the right front to something remotely dry but it was going to leave me grossly out of balance. So, after I took this picture, I started throwing rocks trying to get another dry step. I Just got a rock to protrude from the water and knew I needed at least another rock. I threw it and it destroyed everything I had built. Heavy sigh.....laugh! I stood on the right rock and stretched. I am not sure what I did. I think I probably fell my right hand onto the right wall then grabbed for a hold on the boulder (which in retrospect I am thankful I didn't pull down upon myself.) Proving that even with cloggy blue jeans I am still able to contort a bit @Artemus . Anywho ....I made it and continued. While I have this picture queued up I might as well tell the coming out story. I'm on the rock and I just didn't like how the steps played out in my head. I felt like each move was wrong footed and against the pitch. So I went a higher route off to the right of the photo. It was probably eight feet up. Narrow, sandy and pitchy. I skootched along feeling that I was going to loose friction at any split second. I finally reached a point were the slide looked better than Not trying to slide. I made it...all was well.
![IMG_1218.jpg IMG_1218.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70663-91a529742488246729bf0562e5f4f505.jpg)
![IMG_1220.jpg IMG_1220.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70664-917e38eb4d6cc619a4496d18dff58292.jpg)
![IMG_1221.jpg IMG_1221.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70665-72885ce8a238c862d5668db246ff4958.jpg)
This pool mesmerized me. The moss/algae below the water was breathing/exuding.
![IMG_1223.jpg IMG_1223.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70666-3e82441e21c961c2072b8fd01ab7cf1e.jpg)
This is the spot that stopped me. The chimney above the boulder blow out and with the water and tilt of the wall ....it just wasn't going to happen.
![IMG_1224.jpg IMG_1224.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70667-9faf61eecf9b31896f74f4dce4449202.jpg)
![IMG_1230.jpg IMG_1230.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70668-b0f59a3c604b5992db7db0b80288142b.jpg)
This guy struck me as lost and alone. Manzinitas love to grow in a rats nest environment. But he was down here almost in the stream bed. With this wonderful spotlight. This morning I had the thought. "It is like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree!!!"
![IMG_1231.jpg IMG_1231.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70670-05ef8a4684149cdfa930d6c9620dbc26.jpg)
Going in I kept looking up to the right. I knew that there was a notch up there and the wall looked broken enough that I felt it was worth the try to get up it. It was quite the fun route finding puzzle. You stair at the rock long enough, ramps come into focus. I have always felt it would hilarious to have my route plotted on a map just to see the squiggles. (Yes, I know, that technology exists. Just not on the chandlerwest budget.)
![IMG_1232.jpg IMG_1232.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70671-d6a558ae56eee9cc7fe85dc758bf3d52.jpg)
![IMG_1234.jpg IMG_1234.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70672-870032ec450c6c14c6b16aa6cf2fd1fe.jpg)
![IMG_1235.jpg IMG_1235.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70673-f3c9bb35ab7ffc30954ba0c7f9a1e932.jpg)
![IMG_1236.jpg IMG_1236.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70674-220a6d3e0e9b23f4d913559a4672ac2b.jpg)
![IMG_1237.jpg IMG_1237.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70675-695efd4c5f5dc32d3cfe68c913b99fef.jpg)
I finally made it to the tranquil slick rock. I have done enough in east Zion to know this was Not the top......but I Had hoped.
![IMG_1239.jpg IMG_1239.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70676-4ecbd07c3d3dba4a7897f16a05731d15.jpg)
![IMG_1240.jpg IMG_1240.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70677-ad4698d4899de681564a1ed949345386.jpg)
![IMG_1241.jpg IMG_1241.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70678-5a03126f639b9bda806d5c17d788df1d.jpg)
![IMG_1242.jpg IMG_1242.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70679-65ae11d01bd3796aea51c84e3b4fb447.jpg)
![IMG_1244.jpg IMG_1244.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70680-2ca687c5b48909bd84538b07d842ec16.jpg)
![IMG_1248.jpg IMG_1248.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70681-01a7f4b115e4fda732c9d2ab9adbc0e2.jpg)
![IMG_1251.jpg IMG_1251.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70682-6cc518eb5a3430327f8527363ec8b2a9.jpg)
Okay........this is the top!!!!! Where I was hit with a welcoming gusty cold wind.
![IMG_1254.jpg IMG_1254.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70683-fa48f95242cf73defff6f3bb2b3f7ce1.jpg)
![IMG_1255.jpg IMG_1255.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70684-d106a25ffbfc1e2945a88c98113b2a8c.jpg)
While still physically adjusting to the strong wind and the vertigo I had a couple seconds of terror. Behind me I heard this guttural noise. I turned just in time to see a glimpse of the top of the head of a bighorn sheep. It evidently had been making its way down the slope/wall. Noise identified, I went back to taking pictures.
![IMG_1256.jpg IMG_1256.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70685-7cba3e79012a8285db8048ad369dc727.jpg)
![IMG_1257.jpg IMG_1257.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70686-0f4151837e5c8f730b2c4223921d4fab.jpg)
![IMG_1259.jpg IMG_1259.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70687-7179f68063df5b995f551f5734fafe55.jpg)
Time to make my way down. "Now where did those bighorns go?" I was a bit self conscious about herding them down the slope. But what else could I do? So I followed as non-aggressively as I could. Looking at one of these photos this morning I felt I did an okay job because the big boy took time to remind one of the girls that she was his.
![IMG_1268.jpg IMG_1268.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70688-2f11e1faa1b9ad6d4a408e7d7ca5f23c.jpg)
![IMG_1271.jpg IMG_1271.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70689-bc5c17bba70d927b46ba2081a3138368.jpg)
![IMG_1272.jpg IMG_1272.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70690-1465545e935a51d5ce7c33c8bef9d8c9.jpg)
![IMG_1273.jpg IMG_1273.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70691-fdb9d060060372c502f3a14e7e3d6afa.jpg)
![IMG_1274.jpg IMG_1274.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70692-a3f6ecfef92bafda1a35e0ea744be2f3.jpg)
![IMG_1277.jpg IMG_1277.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70693-a8b81d3b965c159c6fe8b2ef91450943.jpg)
![IMG_1281.jpg IMG_1281.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70694-33b9eb317b1cfaada10bb9c0be5972d2.jpg)
Going down the puzzle slope went faster because you can drop off ledges instead of looking for more comfortable ways around.
![IMG_1284.jpg IMG_1284.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70695-c2d2f332c9c22df504debdaacb1cbf68.jpg)
![IMG_1287.jpg IMG_1287.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70696-ccf23de10296692dfdcb1e508c55066d.jpg)
A string of potholes.
![IMG_1289.jpg IMG_1289.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70697-505643cdc74ca7812c71221b9ae3b206.jpg)
At the brink of the huge dry fall...then going down.....then looking back it.
![IMG_1290.jpg IMG_1290.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70698-48bdcd39247354cfa264a04ebc2f3690.jpg)
![IMG_1292.jpg IMG_1292.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70699-f6c768fd8b5ad9ac8afda801f2850a62.jpg)
![IMG_1293.jpg IMG_1293.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70700-3284f6e744cb2f4f4e4e9a10db107c40.jpg)
A string of pothole reflections!
![IMG_1296.jpg IMG_1296.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70701-07ea7b6d07ee184c30d0b219bd74ce17.jpg)
A view from the road up to the notch I climbed up to. Not from this side, from the other side.
![IMG_1298.jpg IMG_1298.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70702-784a04cfd711ddcf0d1297156119ed5d.jpg)
This is a photo of the route up to notch from a 2016 trip. I include it to share a mantra that @Jeffrey Chandler and I have. "ants on a hill". We came up with it in Glacier but, as you all know, it applies everywhere. From a distance a slope can look god awful terrible, but when you are on it you are just "ants on a hill" and the usable depth will become apparent.
![IMG_5200.JPG IMG_5200.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70703-f02c1ef00cc1b283ead74c03b8eedfdb.jpg)
Thanks everybody!!!
With our recent rains I felt that the day could be extremely short. Surely potholes would be filled with water or dry falls would prove to be walls. So I felt I would possibly be home by noon. It turned out being a 6 hour day. I got a chilly, late for me, start. I always like the first picture of a drainage. They always look so jumbled. A mess. Which hide the wonder that lies beyond.
![IMG_1174.jpg IMG_1174.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70643-5f06f8b029f5e37ee97d9d2c74884f8f.jpg)
The potholes did not disappoint!
![IMG_1175.jpg IMG_1175.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70644-7d56a82e9a820dad2fad7aaaef7ddc3b.jpg)
![IMG_1177.jpg IMG_1177.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70645-99eb82d332a17edad2c765cd5837dd3d.jpg)
![IMG_1179.jpg IMG_1179.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70646-6d6fd183814c56b0e0d980911593af74.jpg)
Having scouted this far on an earlier trip I knew this dry fall was here. Having seen a family of three come down it I wasn't concerned about getting past it. Wouldn't it be wondrous and terrifying to see water rushing over this?
![IMG_1180.jpg IMG_1180.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70647-e29000d3dae675a722c7165cffc0a1b6.jpg)
It wasn't too long before I came to this dry fall. I had seen it on Google Earth. Assuming that the fall would be a.....wall, I hoped that I could plow my way up the debris slope. But water took that option out. So I made my way to dry fall.
![IMG_1187.jpg IMG_1187.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70648-55b77d41938e67e71ac03aebb9734f19.jpg)
But taking it one section at a time I made it to the top and ready to ride this drainage until It stops me.
![IMG_1190.jpg IMG_1190.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70649-2b22139a2e2007bb4cc78684cc00dd0d.jpg)
![IMG_1192.jpg IMG_1192.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70650-f55cb184b966e1790175a661fabeab9c.jpg)
Taking what seemed to be the obvious route I found myself on this ridge/bench above the stream. You fill a bit silly that you evidently made an error but you look around and "it's all good!"
![IMG_1197.jpg IMG_1197.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70651-5b07c0424add9b7b8ae992fb15923fd8.jpg)
![IMG_1198.jpg IMG_1198.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70652-d21875b32459a4d889e90ea5928c0de0.jpg)
Back on the right course. Eventually things begin to narrow up. There was very little fall color. Hitting fall colors in Zion is a crap shoot!
![IMG_1200.jpg IMG_1200.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70653-01b563a1685e5cc3803d1e216cb37b80.jpg)
![IMG_1203.jpg IMG_1203.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70654-ed29c56c74552b6c2164b661b900cdcd.jpg)
![IMG_1204.jpg IMG_1204.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70655-037374c4470deb37b60a3613d85c0bf7.jpg)
![IMG_1209.jpg IMG_1209.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70656-e4aabeda41fcce4bc4c9800b879d2660.jpg)
Dang it, I found myself on another higher ridge.
![IMG_1211.jpg IMG_1211.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70657-1dc4e6e5e67b5fa8526e3521aead287a.jpg)
![IMG_1213.jpg IMG_1213.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70658-8211a2aca0fc21aabcd378af5b496364.jpg)
![IMG_1214.jpg IMG_1214.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70659-d986114a5876e389ef47622ea60dec49.jpg)
The canyon truly narrows as I got closer to the headwall. Now it was only a matter of how my potholes and boulders I could get around.
![IMG_1215.jpg IMG_1215.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70660-642f444f12afb8ad0fe92088dde2751a.jpg)
![IMG_1216.jpg IMG_1216.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70661-86974ebc23e8accdf3547e513dc2823c.jpg)
![IMG_1217.jpg IMG_1217.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70662-3fbb43eb0e2cc7f0fad7ecd649b2ef47.jpg)
This one had me stumped. It was a horrible stretch from the rock in the right front to something remotely dry but it was going to leave me grossly out of balance. So, after I took this picture, I started throwing rocks trying to get another dry step. I Just got a rock to protrude from the water and knew I needed at least another rock. I threw it and it destroyed everything I had built. Heavy sigh.....laugh! I stood on the right rock and stretched. I am not sure what I did. I think I probably fell my right hand onto the right wall then grabbed for a hold on the boulder (which in retrospect I am thankful I didn't pull down upon myself.) Proving that even with cloggy blue jeans I am still able to contort a bit @Artemus . Anywho ....I made it and continued. While I have this picture queued up I might as well tell the coming out story. I'm on the rock and I just didn't like how the steps played out in my head. I felt like each move was wrong footed and against the pitch. So I went a higher route off to the right of the photo. It was probably eight feet up. Narrow, sandy and pitchy. I skootched along feeling that I was going to loose friction at any split second. I finally reached a point were the slide looked better than Not trying to slide. I made it...all was well.
![IMG_1218.jpg IMG_1218.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70663-91a529742488246729bf0562e5f4f505.jpg)
![IMG_1220.jpg IMG_1220.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70664-917e38eb4d6cc619a4496d18dff58292.jpg)
![IMG_1221.jpg IMG_1221.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70665-72885ce8a238c862d5668db246ff4958.jpg)
This pool mesmerized me. The moss/algae below the water was breathing/exuding.
![IMG_1223.jpg IMG_1223.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70666-3e82441e21c961c2072b8fd01ab7cf1e.jpg)
This is the spot that stopped me. The chimney above the boulder blow out and with the water and tilt of the wall ....it just wasn't going to happen.
![IMG_1224.jpg IMG_1224.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70667-9faf61eecf9b31896f74f4dce4449202.jpg)
![IMG_1230.jpg IMG_1230.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70668-b0f59a3c604b5992db7db0b80288142b.jpg)
This guy struck me as lost and alone. Manzinitas love to grow in a rats nest environment. But he was down here almost in the stream bed. With this wonderful spotlight. This morning I had the thought. "It is like Charlie Brown's Christmas tree!!!"
![IMG_1231.jpg IMG_1231.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70670-05ef8a4684149cdfa930d6c9620dbc26.jpg)
Going in I kept looking up to the right. I knew that there was a notch up there and the wall looked broken enough that I felt it was worth the try to get up it. It was quite the fun route finding puzzle. You stair at the rock long enough, ramps come into focus. I have always felt it would hilarious to have my route plotted on a map just to see the squiggles. (Yes, I know, that technology exists. Just not on the chandlerwest budget.)
![IMG_1232.jpg IMG_1232.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70671-d6a558ae56eee9cc7fe85dc758bf3d52.jpg)
![IMG_1234.jpg IMG_1234.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70672-870032ec450c6c14c6b16aa6cf2fd1fe.jpg)
![IMG_1235.jpg IMG_1235.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70673-f3c9bb35ab7ffc30954ba0c7f9a1e932.jpg)
![IMG_1236.jpg IMG_1236.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70674-220a6d3e0e9b23f4d913559a4672ac2b.jpg)
![IMG_1237.jpg IMG_1237.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70675-695efd4c5f5dc32d3cfe68c913b99fef.jpg)
I finally made it to the tranquil slick rock. I have done enough in east Zion to know this was Not the top......but I Had hoped.
![IMG_1239.jpg IMG_1239.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70676-4ecbd07c3d3dba4a7897f16a05731d15.jpg)
![IMG_1240.jpg IMG_1240.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70677-ad4698d4899de681564a1ed949345386.jpg)
![IMG_1241.jpg IMG_1241.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70678-5a03126f639b9bda806d5c17d788df1d.jpg)
![IMG_1242.jpg IMG_1242.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70679-65ae11d01bd3796aea51c84e3b4fb447.jpg)
![IMG_1244.jpg IMG_1244.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70680-2ca687c5b48909bd84538b07d842ec16.jpg)
![IMG_1248.jpg IMG_1248.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70681-01a7f4b115e4fda732c9d2ab9adbc0e2.jpg)
![IMG_1251.jpg IMG_1251.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70682-6cc518eb5a3430327f8527363ec8b2a9.jpg)
Okay........this is the top!!!!! Where I was hit with a welcoming gusty cold wind.
![IMG_1254.jpg IMG_1254.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70683-fa48f95242cf73defff6f3bb2b3f7ce1.jpg)
![IMG_1255.jpg IMG_1255.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70684-d106a25ffbfc1e2945a88c98113b2a8c.jpg)
While still physically adjusting to the strong wind and the vertigo I had a couple seconds of terror. Behind me I heard this guttural noise. I turned just in time to see a glimpse of the top of the head of a bighorn sheep. It evidently had been making its way down the slope/wall. Noise identified, I went back to taking pictures.
![IMG_1256.jpg IMG_1256.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70685-7cba3e79012a8285db8048ad369dc727.jpg)
![IMG_1257.jpg IMG_1257.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70686-0f4151837e5c8f730b2c4223921d4fab.jpg)
![IMG_1259.jpg IMG_1259.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70687-7179f68063df5b995f551f5734fafe55.jpg)
Time to make my way down. "Now where did those bighorns go?" I was a bit self conscious about herding them down the slope. But what else could I do? So I followed as non-aggressively as I could. Looking at one of these photos this morning I felt I did an okay job because the big boy took time to remind one of the girls that she was his.
![IMG_1268.jpg IMG_1268.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70688-2f11e1faa1b9ad6d4a408e7d7ca5f23c.jpg)
![IMG_1271.jpg IMG_1271.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70689-bc5c17bba70d927b46ba2081a3138368.jpg)
![IMG_1272.jpg IMG_1272.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70690-1465545e935a51d5ce7c33c8bef9d8c9.jpg)
![IMG_1273.jpg IMG_1273.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70691-fdb9d060060372c502f3a14e7e3d6afa.jpg)
![IMG_1274.jpg IMG_1274.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70692-a3f6ecfef92bafda1a35e0ea744be2f3.jpg)
![IMG_1277.jpg IMG_1277.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70693-a8b81d3b965c159c6fe8b2ef91450943.jpg)
![IMG_1281.jpg IMG_1281.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70694-33b9eb317b1cfaada10bb9c0be5972d2.jpg)
Going down the puzzle slope went faster because you can drop off ledges instead of looking for more comfortable ways around.
![IMG_1284.jpg IMG_1284.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70695-c2d2f332c9c22df504debdaacb1cbf68.jpg)
![IMG_1287.jpg IMG_1287.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70696-ccf23de10296692dfdcb1e508c55066d.jpg)
A string of potholes.
![IMG_1289.jpg IMG_1289.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70697-505643cdc74ca7812c71221b9ae3b206.jpg)
At the brink of the huge dry fall...then going down.....then looking back it.
![IMG_1290.jpg IMG_1290.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70698-48bdcd39247354cfa264a04ebc2f3690.jpg)
![IMG_1292.jpg IMG_1292.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70699-f6c768fd8b5ad9ac8afda801f2850a62.jpg)
![IMG_1293.jpg IMG_1293.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70700-3284f6e744cb2f4f4e4e9a10db107c40.jpg)
A string of pothole reflections!
![IMG_1296.jpg IMG_1296.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70701-07ea7b6d07ee184c30d0b219bd74ce17.jpg)
A view from the road up to the notch I climbed up to. Not from this side, from the other side.
![IMG_1298.jpg IMG_1298.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70702-784a04cfd711ddcf0d1297156119ed5d.jpg)
This is a photo of the route up to notch from a 2016 trip. I include it to share a mantra that @Jeffrey Chandler and I have. "ants on a hill". We came up with it in Glacier but, as you all know, it applies everywhere. From a distance a slope can look god awful terrible, but when you are on it you are just "ants on a hill" and the usable depth will become apparent.
![IMG_5200.JPG IMG_5200.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/70/70703-f02c1ef00cc1b283ead74c03b8eedfdb.jpg)
Thanks everybody!!!