We get a “late” start this morning – at 7:30, we head out of
the Travelodge to Zion. Clad with our special canyoning shoes (these are great
in the water and can leak out all the water without carrying too much extra
weight) and “adventure stick” (great for navigating the rocks). We take a
shuttle to the top of the Zion Narrows for a 2 day back packer. On the hour
long shuttle ride, the driver tells us stories of the dangers of the flash
floods but assures us that weather reports look favorable. Another official
sign underscores his point, “Beware of any rain. Flash floods are immediate and
deadly.”
The shuttle driver lets us know that our campsite (#1) will
be an “easy hike” since it is the first one on the way down. Yet even as the
route is flat, I am still struggling with navigating all the rocks and water. My
eyes focused down for hours, I am surprise to hear Alex yell out. I turn and
there he is pointing at a rattlesnake. It is about 5 feet, right where Alex was
about to step as he attempted to rock climb one of the walls. Yikes.
This wakes me up though it is still a long slog to get to
our campsite, and I am relieved when we finally get to Campsite #1.
We set up our nifty new desert tent (basically mesh where
you can see the outside and stars), but in the middle of the night, it rains,
and I panic, tugging at Alex, “Hurry! We need a roof!” Alex rushes to add the
rain cover. The rain then pours, and my panic continues as I worry about the
flash floods, “I’m scared, “ I tell Alex. Alex responds – not helping me with
my confidence – “Me too.” Yikes.
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