Exposure Exposed!

Does the thought of hiking a ridge or along a canyon wall or mountainside leave you feeling uncomfortable?  Are you "afraid of heights"?  And does this affect where you can choose to go to hike?
Quite a few people I've met over the years seem to be somewhat uncomfortable with exposure.  The reasons are many: fear of falling, tripping, going over the edge; the perspective of looking down of something higher up, getting vertigo, and more... all valid reasons for feeling uneasy, for sure! 

Here are a few ideas that may help you in taking that next step towards eventually taking that bucket list hike down into the Grand Canyon (or other trails that have edges, ledges, or heights):

Watch and concentrate on your footing.  This does not mean that you can't stop to look at the scenery.  However, on exposed areas, it may help to stop, hold on to something (like a canyon wall, for example), assure your balance, then take in the view rather than try to hike & take pictures at the same time.  

Walk on the side that is protected, if there is one. (see Zion picture below)  Often there are exposed areas only on one side of the trail.  While you don't have to "hug" the wall, walking to the protected side may give an added sense of security.

If you are doing a "cable" route, such as Angel's Landing (Zion) or Half Dome (Yosemite), your best bet is to put the hiking poles away to have both hands available to hold onto the cable, rock, or wall.  Note: Many cable routes have fixed posts or anchors which the cable can glide through.  If there are other people holding onto the cable and they let go, the cable may move.  If you are not expecting this, it could throw off your balance a bit.  Look to see how the cables are attached so you know if this will be a possibility enroute. 

Sometimes the perspective changes as you get onto the "exposed" areas.  What looks like a skinny little path in the distance may actually be wider than you realize.   

Often as hikers gain experience with a little challenge of exposure here and there, they gain the confidence necessary for them to enjoy a hike with more consistent exposure.  That being said, exposure is not for everyone.  

Please let me know if you have any other ideas that have worked for you.  Good luck & stay safe hiking out there!   :-)
  

Cedar Ridge on the South Kaibab trail, Grand Canyon NP

(This is a good spot to use hiking poles and watch your footing.)

Exposed rock cut on Observation Point hike, Zion NP

(Note the hiker walking on the more "protected" side of the trail.)

Exposed mountainside on Dawson-Pitimakin hike, Glacier NP

(Also a good place for hiking poles.)

Exposed ridge of upper Angel's Landing, Zion NP

(Trail goes along rock rib.  Put poles away, use cables & rock to hold onto, note cables may move when someone lets go.  Route is also wider than it looks from this viewpoint.)

Out with the Old Year...

Happy 2012! Hope all of you have had an enjoyable holiday season.  As I was sitting down to post today, I was thinking about all the wonderful people I met last season and the amazing hikes we did.

The photos below reflect some of those hikes.  Enjoy!

In February, we led hikes in Hawaii.  We did a 6-day tour of Maui and another 8-day tour split between Kauai & the Big Island.  Both were incredible.  From the lush, Garden Island of Kauai to the almost yin/yang, wet/dry climate of the Big Island, it is hard to believe the variety and diversity that exists on each island, let alone from one end of the state to the other.  

Posing for a Kodak moment at the Kilauea Iki trailhead, Hawaii Volcanoes NP

 

Kilauea Iki, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Big Island

An orchid along Pu'u O'o trail, Hawaii Volcanoes NP

 Enjoying the Hawaiian wildflowers, Volcanoes NP

Lushness at Kipahulu, Haleakala NP, Maui

In early summer, we visited Bryce/Zion, Yosemite, and Glacier National Parks.  A late-arriving spring left impressive amounts of snow in the mountains of the Western U.S., which changed or modified some of the hikes we were able to do.  Although the Bryce/Zion shots here look pretty "normal", the Virgin River was too high to wade into the Narrows the week we were there.    

View of Zion Canyon from Observation Point, Zion NP, Utah

View from the rim of Bryce Ampitheater, Fairyland Loop, Bryce Canyon NP, Utah

A very unusual amount of snow for July at Iceberg Lake, Glacier NP, Montana

Looking for wildlife on the Iceberg Lake trail, Glacier NP

Wading through unusual amounts of snowmelt on the bridge over the Tuolumne River, Glen Aulin trail, Yosemite NP, California 

 

There was more runoff in those areas than I have ever seen.  The late melt in Yosemite made for some incredible waterfalls!  We also couldn't get to the higher hikes, so did North Dome instead.  I love that hike.  Puts you right across the valley from the face of Half Dome.

Above is the face of Half Dome from the North Dome trail, Yosemite NP, CA

(the photo does not do this view justice, IMHO)



Later in mid-August, Iceberg Lake had thawed.  Glacier NP, MT

Hiking in the Many Glacier region of Glacier NP

In late August, we had a chance to do the hike to Cathedral Lake in Yosemite on our own.  The hike continues above the lake for a great view of Cathedral Peak (photo below).  One day, I would really like to climb that peak!  Another cool area we explored was the 20 Lakes Basin, close to Tioga Pass/Saddlebag Lake.

Cathedral Peak, Yosemite NP

20 Lake Basin, CA, near Yosemite NP

September took us to Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California.  After Labor Day, we felt like we had the place to ourselves.  The weather was fantastic!

View from Brokeoff Mtn, Lassen Volcanic NP, CA

Taking a break on top of Brokeoff Mtn, Lassen Volcanic NP

Cinder cone hike with Mt. Lassen in background

After Lassen we went back to Yosemite.  The snow had melted and we were able to access more of the high country, yay!  Everyone was able to enjoy some spectacular views that week.     

Hiking the Panorama trail near Glacier Point, Yosemite NP, CA

Top of Cloud's Rest, Yosemite NP

Looking back towards Tuolumne Meadows from Glen Aulin trail, Yosemite NP

  Mother & daughter at Mariposa Grove of Sequoias, Yosemite NP

Our last hiking tour of the season led us back to Bryce & Zion. 

Steve & Nola below Tower Bridge, Fairyland Loop, Bryce Canyon NP, UT

Hiking Fairyland Loop, Bryce Canyon NP

Hiking on the Observation Point trail, Zion NP, UT

Returning from the top of Angel's Landing, Zion NP, UT

I have far too many pics to post them all right here.  We met so many really great people last year, many of which will I'm sure will become good friends over the years. 

Thank you for visiting and thanks, 2011!!