Thenaturalmedic Adventures
Hello there, and thanks so much for joining us here! You are probably wondering what this podcast is all about? In this podcast, we will talk about all sorts of outdoor adventures, but primarily, for now, we will focus on hiking and backpacking. No other outdoor adventure is so accessible to so many people! So please join us as we talk about how to hike/backpack and learn how to hike any length trail from your local neighborhood parks to those long trails such as the Appalachian and others worldwide! Remember... "in every walk with nature; one receives far more than he seeks... - John Muir " See you on the trail!
Thenaturalmedic Adventures
Conquering Angels Landing: A Thrilling Trek Through Zion National Park
Ready for a heart-pounding adventure that pushes the limits of your courage and stamina? Join me, Craig Natural Medic, as I recount our exhilarating trek to the summit of Angels Landing in Zion National Park. This podcast episode captures every riveting moment of our journey, from the grueling Walters Wiggles switchbacks to the thrilling knife-edge ridge where only sturdy chains stand between us and a sheer drop. Feel the intensity and the triumph as we navigate this infamous trail, all while soaking in the breathtaking vistas of the Virgin River and the majestic canyon below.
But it's not just about the adrenaline rush—this episode also dives into the quieter, more reflective moments of our hike. Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Mexican spotted owls' habitat and the profound sense of accomplishment upon reaching the summit. I'll share my personal reflections on the trials and rewards of this iconic hike, offering you a vivid, immersive experience. So lace up your boots and join our group of six adventurers as we conquer one of America's most notorious trails and revel in the unparalleled splendor of Zion National Park.
Hey, what's up everybody, it's Craig Natural Medic. Today I'm in Zion National Park in Utah, headed up to Angels Landing. So the approach is on the Scout Canyon Trail or Scout Lookout Point Trail and then there's an access point for Angels Landing. You must have a permit and the group that I'm with is a group of six people and we are going up as a group. That I'm with is a group of six people and we are going up as a group on to Angels Landing, which is one of the most dangerous hikes supposedly in the US, and it's going to be a challenge but I think it's going to be great. So come on with me as I attempt Angels Landing here in Zion National Park. Hey, so I'm about almost a mile into the trail to go to the top I think I'm not certain this might be Angel's Landing right here which goes way, way up, and over there you have a series of switchbacks caused, called walters wiggles. So you go up that and get up to that little flat area up there. All right, got some beautiful views in this canyon. Just made it up walters wiggles it's a pretty tough switchback area Some pretty good angles, heading on through this little canyon towards Angel's Landing. So what we've got here is some Mexican spotted owls. Got to be extra quiet in here, don't make a sound. Yeah, okay, y'all.
Speaker 1:I am at Angels Landing here in Zion and the only way to go is go up. My group is ahead of me and I'm gonna join them. So down below is the Virgin River and I'm standing part of the way up on Angel's Landing. It is quite a drop, not gonna lie. This is an exhilarating experience and it's a very narrow edge. Going forward, you have chains to hang on, so not a big deal Onward and forward. So going forward is a narrow edge and looking down, it is certainly a long way. I'm going to ease my way forward holding on to this chain. Not so bad, not so bad. It is a very narrow knife edge almost to go along this. And you do have a chain, though, to hold on to. That is very hopefully sturdily in the rock here. So, yep, okay.
Speaker 1:So made it past the first part almost. The prize remains ahead this big, narrow little ridge to go up. This is wild y'all. I don't think I quite ever do anything like this. Very cool.
Speaker 1:We got two of the group heading towards Angel's Landing, the top of it, this whole hike is Angel's Landing, but to go to the very top of it we have to go up this ridge and in order to do that I have to get off of this one that I'm on and head back up. Here goes nothing, y'all, if you want to see if I make it stay tuned. Okay, a little further, a little closer, there it is. They do have chains to help you with support most of the way, several places I don't feel like that you really need the chains, but they are there just in case you feel like you do Forward and upward. So here is your lowest low point on that ridge up to the climb here Got to go all the way on top, let's do it.
Speaker 1:So I made it on top of Angel's Landing. This is the view down. There's the view back. You have to climb up this big knob here and it's quite a ways down.
Speaker 1:As far as dangerous what's been rated as a dangerous hike? I would not necessarily call it dangerous. It is dangerous in that you can fall in several places and it's a long way down. You're probably not going to survive the fall. However, it is quite strenuous. You are doing quite an elevation to the top and it can be a little tedious to get handled, but wow, what a beautiful sight out here. Just give you a full little panorama. Looking around here, looking back down, there is the rest of the park, the lodge I think is down there, and the grotto area which is where we started the hike. You do ride a shuttle bus and you probably see some when you look down here. They're constantly going through. There's one right there actually going through. Very cool, that'll make the hike back down.
Speaker 1:So I'm headed down off of angel's landing. I don't know what's tougher going up or coming down. I would say they, equally, are challenging in their own ways. And this is what it looks like going down. Yep, Okay, boys and girls, I made it off of the Angels Landing and it was tough, but it was grand. And if you're in reasonably good shape and you come during the right times and you get a permit, I recommend you do it. And water, and bring plenty of water and sturdy shoes.
Speaker 1:Alright, headed down back to catch the shuttle back to the visitor center area. Okay, bye, almost out. Going down to the valley, here we go. How cool is that? Got a turkey family just roaming through here. That one's all fanned out Very cool, very cool. It's like about five or six turkeys and there's one tom there for sure he's all fanned out facing away from us. I'm leaving Zion National Park and made it officially up to Angels Landing and back down about eight miles round trip and took about four hours and change to get from top, hung out a little bit up top and to the bottom. If you like this video, make sure you like it. Think about subscribing to the channel if you want to see more stuff. Thanks, see you on the trail.
