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Zion: Aires ButteThis easy climb up one of the dome buttes on the east side of Zion National Park will provide an awesome time to anyone that possesses some intermediate climbing skills. There is no need for the massive racks of gear needed for many of the trade-routes in Zion Canyon. The views on top of Aires Butte include vistas to the south, west and east that are unique and well worth the 3-5 hours needed to complete the climb. Aires Butte at a Glance Equipment: 2- 60-meter ropes, climbing shoes, helmet, harness, belay device, personal anchor system and 4 quick draws. Also a small pack with food, water and space for hiking shoes.
Trailhead - Begin the climb by parking at the Petroglyphs Canyon parking area on the east side of Zion National Park. Petroglyph Canyon parking area has a wooden fence alongside the parking area and is approximately 2.6 miles west of the east entrance booth of Zion National Park. If driving from the west, the Petroglyphs Canyon parking area is approximately 1.4 miles past the small tunnel as driving east. Walk to the north side of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (Highway 9) and scramble up the slickrock on the east side of Petroglyph Canyon and pick the easiest route north. It may be easiest to drop down into the canyon itself and travel up canyon for about .25 mile and then bear east up the large slickrock bowl toward the shoulder between Aires Butte on the left and the smaller slickrock dome on the right. This scramble is hard 3rd class scrambling and gains 450' of elevation. Once at the saddle, look to the left at the grove of trees and bushes on the southeast base of Aires Butte. Work up the right side of the small drainage and around the back to the southeast side of the butte. Continue contouring on the slab, but watch for a "piton" about 25'-30' up the slope. Once the first piton is located, the climb begins. Climbing - All 4 pitches have 3 or 4 bolts or pitons for protection spaced roughly 10-20 meters apart and each pitch has a 2 bolt and or piton belay station. . The climbing is mostly easy friction with some good stances. When climbing the fourth pitch, the belay station is around the corner to the left and about 60' below the actual summit. It is easy to scramble from the belay station to the summit and register on top. The top sports views in all directions and is an easy hike-around. On the descent watch rope management to avoid dragging rocks down on top of yourself. The last rappel from the top of the first pitch can be a real rope grabber so keep ropes separated and straight. The walk back down can be accomplished by going down the slickrock, east toward Keyhole Slot Canyon, but there is one sketchy move above Keyhole (West side) to get back to the road. This climb shouldn't take more than 3-4 hours and is well worth the effort put forth! Beta: Coordinates and other trail and canyoneering information by Zion Park search and rescue veteran team member Bo Beck and zionnational-park.com author Mary Cisneros. To post trip reports, offer corrections, updates, or for more information please visit the Zion National Park Forum
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