Climb to the top of Angel's Landing in Zion National Park and you'll have an incredible view of Zion Canyon and the surrounding cliffs. You'll also risk a spell of vertigo if you get too near the edge and glance into the void.
In fact, reaching the top of the landing can be unnerving at times as you have to climb up some steep, and narrow, stretches of rock. The Park Service is well aware of the exposure on these sections and has anchored heavy chains into the most precarious spots so you have something to hang onto.
Over the years five people have died in falls from Angel's Landing....the most recent death occurred yesterday morning with a 29-year-old Las Vegas woman fell 1,200 feet to her death. No word just yet on how Bernadette Vander Meer came to fall off the cliff.
Woman Dies in Fall From Angel's Landing
Published Date
August 23, 2006
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Comments
I went from Zion today. I thout it would be cool to hike up Angels Landing. But, on the bus they taked about the trail, and now I never want to go on angel landing hike. I have very good balance but i'm clumsy i have been ever sence I was little.
Hearing about all the people who died did not make me more scared, It made me sad but they knew the risk.
When i heard that some one took there baby up on the trail that made me mad. Who would put there kids, there baby in that risk. It sounds like to me theydon't care about there baby safty. There stupid but, it was there choose, stupid but it was up to them it is there kid and always will be.
I will never do that take my kid on that trail, and you who all that are reading this i hope you dont neather.
Remember be careful waer the right shoes, have every thing that you need, and lots and lots of water.
My 11 year old daughter & I ascended to Angel's Landing two days ago. It was an outstanding experience. My wife & I elected to leave our two 7 year old twins down in the valley and they hiked the Riverside trail. I think it's up to each individual to determine whether they can safely proceed on any given "adventure." We certainly don't need rangers to enforce the types of shoes to wear. What about all those people who choose to free-climb on some of the fantastic walls? I'd never do it, but if they wish to take the risk, know the consequences and feel they can handle it...more power to them! I've been on several back-country skiing trips in this country and elsewhere that have substantially more risk than hiking Angel's landing; it would be the end of outdoor adventure as we know it if there was a ranger at every trailhead dictating who was "fit and capable" of going ahead. It's sad when someone dies in an accidental fall, but those who've died did so doing something they enjoyed doing and did so of their own free will. We as a society need to stop worrying so much about having our government officials make sure we live long, and start living well.
Me and my wife just got back from Zion a few days ago and did Angels Landing for the 2nd time (we go every year). And it never ceases to amaze me how many people do Angels Landing in just plain casual tennis shoes, one small bottle of water, no food. I think most accidents that happen of people falling off, sorry to say, is their own fault. There is a lot of people that just don't have any common sense. We have hiked to the saddle back point and then got some rain and we go no further than that because the rock gets too slippery. Yet I've seen people hike it in the rain when the signs tell you not to. I think some people who go there have no experience, lack of common sense and goof off too close to the edge and then get hurt or worse. My number one advice to people who are going to do this hike is to WEAR PROPER SHOES!
This is a ridiculous discussion. Close down dangerous trails? Yes if there are too many crazy people killing themselves by mere oversized self-overestimation. That is a phenomenon I found so often in the US. People who do not know what they do think they can do everything. I found this also in US citizens in areas like Nepal. They think they just can challenge and press the good fortune. I think God loves the Americans since so amazing few accidents happen. For me as an experienced hiker and alpinist the angels landing trail is a trifling hike. Although for me it is an easy stroll, I always take care where it is necessary. But I am aware that so many people who do the hike do not really know what they are doing. But in this country everybody is free to walk wherever he wants. Right so, or do you want to close all places where one might fall down or be rammed by a car when crossing a parking lot?
This is a ridiculous discussion. Close down dangerous trails? Yes if there are too many crazy people killing themselves by mere oversized self-overestimation. That is a phenomenon I found so often in the US. People who do not know what they do think they can do everything. I found this also in US citizens in areas like Nepal. They think they just can challenge and press the good fortune. I think God loves the Americans since so amazing few accidents happen. For me as an experienced hiker and alpinist the angels landing trail is a trifling hike. Although for me it is an easy stroll, I always take care where it is necessary. But I am aware that so many people who do the hike do not really know what they are doing. But in this country everybody is free to walk wherever he wants. Right so, or do you want to close all places where one might fall down or be rammed by a car when crossing a parking lot?
I hiked Angel's Landing in Oct 2007. It was easily the most beautiful experience I've ever had in the outdoors. Much of the ascent (and the view from the summit) feels as if you're flying suspended in mid-air over Zion Canyon.
I'm an experienced hiker, in my mid-thirties, with a reasonable amount of trad rock-climbing experience, and little fear of heights. Even so, I have to admit that the view from quitter's corner (as someone here called it) gave me pause. In my opinion, Angel's Landing deserves to be treated more like a climb- this is a dangerous and hard hike, and deserves respect. If you're thinking of doing AL, here are some pointers:
- Go early in the day, wear a good pair of hiking boots, and carry at least 1-2 liters of water and a decent amount of food.
- Read up a little about climbing technique if you can- I found that my climbing experience came in handy, the chains I agree are somewhat of a crutch, and if you position your weight correctly they're often quite unnecessary.
- Focus on your breathing- most people panic when they're taking short breaths...
- Give yourself at least a couple of extra hours for the last half-mile. Mistakes happen when you're feeling rushed or tired.
- Work on the trail in short stretches, and try not to think too much.
As for myself, once I crossed the first really narrow constriction beyond quitter's corner (about ten or twenty feet into the trail), I stopped crouching, and stood up straight. From there on, the hike was pure exhilaration. I will never forget the light on that day, and the view from the top.
Hiked Angels Landing last Sunday, March 1st. Made it to the first set of chains. This is NOT an amusement park and I would question the intelligence of any parent taking a child under the age of 16 on this hike. Even at 16 I would want to make sure as to the maturity of the child involved. Even though I made it to only the first set of chains, there is enough excitement and danger in the hike to that point. Anyone making it up to Scouts lookout after Walters Wiggles has certainly accomplished something. For me it was the hike of a lifetime. I don't feel bad about not making it all the way. In fact, I am pleased that I made it as far as I did. I am 62 and have gone through 6 heart bypasses (at one time). If I can make it, anyone can, BUT exercise extreme caution. This is not expedition everest at disney. This is real.
I hiked up Angel's Landing with friends a couple of days ago.
It's a wonderful place and in those warm, dry, benign conditions, was really no more dangerous than many of the world's most beautiful spots. There were signs telling us that people have died there and I think it's down to the individual to decide if they're uncomfortable rather than legislating against personal freedom. I assume safety is why the park authority put the chains there in the first place.
I agree it'd be significantly more dangerous in ice, snow or darkness and this needs to be (and is) made clear.
However, even in bad conditions, a properly prepared hiker who takes it gently would not be at very high risk IMO.
No risk = no reward = a potentially rather unfulfilled life.