Mystery Canyon

Earlier this week, Mark took one day off work to make a really quick trip to Zions National Park to do some canyoneering.  He went with our neighbor, Wade, who was his counselor in the Young Men's Presidency.  They hiked/rappelled Mystery Canyon.  In the last few years Mark has been able to experience most of the canyons in Zions.  I am looking forward to experiencing some of them with him someday.  He really enjoyed this technically challenging canyon.  When he arrived home late that night, he called it epic.  One author described the canyon this way:  "it has everything – a rough-tough smackdown approach; a verdant, wooded canyon with spectacular soaring walls; multiple rappels through intimate, sculpted narrows; some walking in the hot sun; a monstrous rockfall that creates a seasonal lake; a big rappel into a pool; wading pools in a jungle paradise; and finally a slippery slab rappel to the whirring camcorders of numerous tourists. Not too long, not too short - Mystery is a great outing."

Mark pointing to part of the canyon from the top.

This is Wade about to descend into the throngs of tourists at the bottom of the Narrows.  Mark said there were people snapping pictures of them as they rappelled down, and then some even asked to get pictures with them.

Mark coming down the last rappel.