Zion: Angels Landing + Fear of Heights = ?

dullard · Mar 20, 2013

For those of you who have done the Angel's landing hike, how terrifying is it?

I have a horrible fear of heights and had to turn back on a similar hike when I got to chains. But, in my defense, I was wearing shoes that are slippery even on flat carpet as I wasn't expecting to go hiking (Zion was a whim on a trip with a different purpose).

So, realistically, how bad is it for someone with a fear of falling off a cliff. I've watched videos and get quite nervous just watching safe at home. But, I think I can do it if the chain section is relatively short. The videos don't give me a good sense of the amount of chain work necessary.

PottedMeat · Mar 20, 2013

is this it(video)?

http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/zion/angels_landing.htm

looks really well maintained, i would get more nervous the more tired i got. can you do 2.5 miles 1500ft easily?

dullard · Mar 20, 2013

PottedMeat said:
is this it(video)?

http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/zion/angels_landing.htm

looks really well maintained, i would get more nervous the more tired i got. can you do 2.5 miles 1500ft easily?

Yes. Here is one video example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W07wOlcQh4E

Time 1:20 to 1:40 on that video really gets me nervous.

Cuda1447 · Mar 20, 2013

Doesn't seem THAT bad. I guess it depends on how bad your fear really is. I have a fear of heights, yet I went rock climbing/rapelling last summer! It was awesome.

Cuda1447 · Mar 20, 2013

dullard said:
Yes. Here is one video example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W07wOlcQh4E

Time 1:30 on that video really gets me nervous.

Oh actually, that is worse than I thought.

Jeff7 · Mar 20, 2013

dullard said:
Yes. Here is one video example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W07wOlcQh4E

Time 1:20 to 1:40 on that video really gets me nervous.

Noticing now that my hands and feet are sweating profusely.

Apparently my body's reaction to "Your gripping surfaces are now essential to remain living" is "We are committing suicide now, right?"

PottedMeat · Mar 20, 2013

dullard said:
Yes. Here is one video example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W07wOlcQh4E

Time 1:20 to 1:40 on that video really gets me nervous.

i think the lens they used on that one makes it 10x worse than it is.

dullard · Mar 20, 2013

Jeff7 said:
Noticing now that my hands and feet are sweating profusely.

Apparently my body's reaction to "Your gripping surfaces are now essential to remain living" is "We are committing suicide now, right?"

I get the same hand/foot sweats when watching the videos.

I have done rock climbing once where I went up 4 pitches (~200 feet mostly straight up). But I felt secure with ropes. In case I pass out, I am saved by ropes. With chains, I have no backup.

Dirigible · Mar 20, 2013

I'm not particularly scared of heights and it made me a little bit nervous. More so than on the cables up half dome, at least.

soulcougher73 · Mar 20, 2013

If you really want to do it and be safe. Wear a safety harness with lanyard. A couple people did that when we climbed Half Dome. Wish i had after actually doing it. You just have to clip and unclip at each chain post. But will keep you alive if anything "should" happen.

Zeze · Mar 20, 2013

When I was visiting Sedona, AZ, one of the jeep tour guy told us we HAD to visit Angel's Landing @ ZNP. He said it was one of the life's bucket list that you MUST check off.

So my fiancee and I did. Absolutely amazing.

If you have a fear of heights, then it's gonna be rough. The whole area is one-misstep from falling to death. However, it's hard to get into an accident if you stay on course & pay attention.
It's not that bad since it's available to general public and I saw few elderly and kids do it. The course has lots of foot traffic so it's very well maintained. I would be more scared of shoddy areas than this.

I was crazy enough to take my own route and made my heart drop few times.

Despite my crazy shots below, you are never that close to the edge. You won't have to face any unless you intentionally step off the course.

And here's our dog Zion, named after our unforgettable trip to the park:

Dr. Detroit · Mar 21, 2013

We did it - but the woman said no way once we got to the top and had the last half-mile to go. We got to Scouts Outlook, went another 1/4 mile on the chains, and she was freaked out, and we turned back.

We were pretty tired from hiking the Virgin River + slot canyon (6-miles or so) the day before in the middle of July and she promises the next time we do this she will give it another shot.

Yes - if you are scared of heights, go up to Scouts Outlook and turn back. The view from Scouts Outlook is very very good!

You could easily slip and fall to your death as the sandstone you are walking on is sandy dust while grasping the chains for dear life. Remember, two way traffic so you have to step aside and find a space to let someone pass.

We finished this hike in the morning then drove to Bryce Canyon and did a 4 mile hike through Wall St and the hoodoos the same day.

Epic!

dullard · Mar 21, 2013

soulcougher73 said:
If you really want to do it and be safe. Wear a safety harness with lanyard. A couple people did that when we climbed Half Dome. Wish i had after actually doing it. You just have to clip and unclip at each chain post. But will keep you alive if anything "should" happen.

I thought of that, but I wondered if it would be more trouble with all the maneuvering needed for each post. It would definitely make me feel better, but it would easily double the amount of time that I'd be in the dangerous zone.

dullard · Mar 21, 2013

Zeze said:
Despite my crazy shots below, you are never that close to the edge. You won't have to face any unless you intentionally step off the course.

Thanks for the photos. Your 2nd photo makes it look like there is a secondary landing if you fall off the steps on the non-chain side. Is that true in many places?

Zeze · Mar 21, 2013

dullard said:
Thanks for the photos. Your 2nd photo makes it look like there is a secondary landing if you fall off the steps on the non-chain side. Is that true in many places?

Yup, mostly yes.

Again, unless you are absolutely terrified of heights, you are okay. It's not some death stunt. It's a park open to general public that is frequented by lots of younger kids and elderly.

tHa ShIzNiT · Mar 21, 2013

i've done this hike. scariest thing I have ever done, worse than skydiving. those pictures are legit but they aren't showing some of the parts where you have just footholds and a chain to hang onto, and if you let go you're going down 1000+ feet. I honestly dont know if I could do it again. a lot of time is spent on an area where there are 2000+ ft drops on both sides of you, and the thing you're on is only like 10 feet wide. One thing that allowed me to continue on it though, was there was a girl coming back from the ending and she must have been 13 or younger.

the 5th pic kinda shows the footholds+chain part, but it doesnt put it into perspective with the huge drop off. and it gets dicier than that.

edit: also, I dont know if a safety harness would be worth the trouble. you'd be constantly locking in and out I think.

Slew Foot · Mar 21, 2013

i felt my sphincter tighten looking at those pics

EliteRetard · Mar 21, 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D0P9aPu51A

Looks like fun

Dirigible · Mar 21, 2013

EliteRetard said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D0P9aPu51A

Looks like fun

The climber in that video, Dan Osman, fell to his death when a rope broke.

Pretty sure the chains are stronger than a rope, dullard! :whiste:

EliteRetard · Mar 21, 2013

Yeah he was base jumping or whatever...used the rope twice. Stupid move.

Zion: Angels Landing + Fear of Heights = ?

Elite Member

Lifer

Elite Member

Lifer

Lifer

Lifer

Lifer

Elite Member

Diamond Member

Lifer

Lifer

Diamond Member

Elite Member

Elite Member

Lifer

Platinum Member

Lifer

Diamond Member

Diamond Member

Diamond Member