Hello All,
After the Grand Canyon, I made my way north up to Zion National Park. It was unlike anything else I have ever seen on the planet. I was in love from the moment I arrived and never wanted to leave. I'll let the pictures do the talking.
Yesterday, while in the park, I received word that my Uncle Joe passed away. Joe was one of a kind. Life threw A LOT at him and he never backed down from any of it. When I was a boy, I was always amazed at Joe's physical strength. He'd give hugs that were lung crushers. But they were filled with nothing but love. He was also obsessed with WWF wrestling and the Dallas Cowboys, but that's another story...
After 50 some odd years of taking on Down Syndrome and multiple bouts with cancer LIKE A CHAMP, Joe's time came.
This morning I hiked/climbed what is thought to be one of the most difficult spots in the world: Angels Landing. Fueled with some pretty awesome memories of Joe, I was able to push myself another notch and accomplish a dream of mine. Thanks Uncle Joe!!
We will miss you Uncle Joe
The journey continues...
Mark/Chops
The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days
Additional motivation for me continues to be my dear friend Patrick Anderson and the ever inspiring Pat Downes and Jess Kensky. Some of the all time greats. Thank you!
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| IF I CAN'T FIND A WIFE HERE, I AM IN REAL TROUBLE. |
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| DAMN THAT'S A BIG DAM! GLEN CANYON DAM IN ROUTE TO ZION NATIONAL PARK FROM GRAND CANYON |
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| ARRIVED TO THE MOTHERLAND OF NATIONAL PARKS! |
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| THE DRIVE INTO ZION NATIONAL PARK - SOUTHERN UTAH |
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| CLEMSON PRIDE |
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| COLD WATER |
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| TRACKING... |
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| RIVERBED RUNNING THROUGH THE CANYONS |
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| PLAYING IN THE CLOUDS |
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| KARA, YOU COULD TOUCH THE CLOUDS! |
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| EXPLORING THE RIVERBED |
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| THE NORTH FACE CATALOG COVER? |
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| THIS WATER CARVED THAT CANYON! |
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| BILL LARZ'S ANIMAL FINDING SCHOOL IS REALLY PAYING OFF! |
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| SAT HERE FOR AN HOUR |
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| CLIFFHANGING TO FIND THE HIDDEN CANYON. DON'T LIKE HEIGHTS? NOT THE TRAIL FOR YOU! |
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| MORE CLIFFHANGING! |
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| NO LADDERS IN THE MOUNTAINS. MUST IMPROVISE! |
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| FOUND IT! |
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| THE RIVER RUNS THROUGH ZION |
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| THIS IS WHAT I CAME HERE TO DO! SOME LISTS HAVE IT AS THE BEST HIKE IN THE WORLD! |
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| HAD TO CLIMB THE LAST MILE TO THE SUMMIT ON ALL FOURS WITH THE HELP OF THE CHAINS! 1000+ FOOT DROP ON BOTH SIDES! |
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| VICTORY!!! |
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| VICTORY IS SOOO MUCH SWEETER WHEN IT CAN BE SHARED. THANK YOU TO MY GERMAN FRIENDS I MET ON THE TRAIL. BROTHERS MORITZ AND PHILIP. TWO CLASSY GUYS AND FRIENDS FOR LIFE. GREAT GREAT GREAT TEAMWORK GETTING TO THE TOP. PROUD OF YOU GUYS! |
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| WAS IT WORTH IT?? NO QUESTION ABOUT IT!! |
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THE SUMMIT OF ANGELS LANDING, 5,785!! - ZION NATIONAL PARK
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE COURAGE UNCLE JOE, PATRICK, AND PAT&JESS! |
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| WORLD RENOWNED ANGELS LANDING! PICTURE DOESN'T DO IT JUSTICE |
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| AMERICA!!!!!..... NOW I HAVE TO GET DOWN.... |
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| ENGRAVED IN THE TRAILHEAD! |
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| YUP, CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THAT! |
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| ON THE DRIVE OUT OF ZION NATIONAL PARK. SOUTHERN UTAH |
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| SOMEONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THIS IS ACTUALLY POSSIBLE |
