Circumstance recently presented an opportunity to visit Zion, a National Park I'd been through several times, but never was able to stay and explore. The park has the potential for spectacular landscape photography, and although this wasn't a trip oriented around photography, we would be visiting The Subway, a unique drainage through a remote area of the park. Trouble was, our route to this photogenic feature would require a 9½ mile hike through deep pools and as well as a technical descent. I already knew my Gitzo tripod wasn't going to make the trip - I'd had difficulty with it surviving water previously.

I went back and forth on carrying the Canon 5D, too. I hadn't any experience with the effectiveness of "dry bags", and didn't know whether I could trust $5000 worth of camera to them. Just before the trip, I decided I'd take the Canon G9 - if the bag leaked, no big deal - the loss would be an order of magnitude less.

Our first challenge of the trip had to be, of course, Angel's Landing. Readers of my essays know that I'm not exactly fond of heights - especially those pesky 1200' sheer drop-offs. My companions were two doctors of analytical chemistry and a bicycle store owner, but what I really needed was a psychiatrist. I'm sorry to report that I have few photos of the adventure, because I tend to use both hands while shooting. I should also apologize to all of the people trying to pass me when I wouldn't let go of the chains, and to the lady whose knee I inadvertently grabbed.

One of our oh-so-analytical doctors tried to assure me that one wouldn't misstep just because of the height. Logically I had to agree. But to me, this wasn't that sort of problem. My mind had neatly side-stepped sensible argument long ago, finding contentment in the philosophy of it's own panic. I adopt a nervous fascination when the error margins are greatly diminished, such as when you're looking straight down into the gaping maw of certain doom.  Unlike my favorite video games, this player would not automatically respawn.

Angel's Landing is an extremely popular hike in Zion - however, some very smart people will just not do it. The weird thing is, you get used to the heights (not that I was looking); it was easier for me to go down than come up.

That concluded the major hike of the day, but we also did some hiking around the Emerald Pools and up to Weeping Rock.  On the bus ride up to these sights, you'll not be surprised to learn that many of the valley's geological features were named through the filter of religious anthropomorphism by the early Methodist ministers and Mormons:  The Pulpit, the Three Patriarchs, The White Throne, and we suppose Angel's Landing itself. Ironically, I thought Angel's landing would be a great place to meet one's maker.