By Cheri Sicard
Randy from the YouTube channel America’s Parks had done a previous video two years prior to this one that proved wildly popular. He nonetheless felt he needed to do a new video after recently completing another hike up Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, Utah, for two reasons. One, he was never happy with the original, even though it has earned more than a half-million views. And two, there were thousands of comments on the original video, many filled with questions, diverse opinions, and misconceptions.
Randy wanted to set the record straight.
And for those who can’t actually do this hike, we can live vicariously as Randy takes us along on the most difficult, yet jaw-droppingly beautiful, parts of it. In this portion, known as the chain section, hikers rely on chains to help them up (and down) the steep, narrow incline. A large part of the video is devoted to this natural wonder eye candy.
An at-times hair-raising hike, adventurous hikers will no doubt want to add this one to their bucket lists. And Randy’s practical experience can help set you up for success with the actual facts about this often misunderstood and misrepresented hike.
In the video, he also answers the most popular questions he has received including how long is the Angel’s Landing hike, how long did it take to do, and the elevation gain.
Is hiking to Angel’s Landing dangerous?
People also often ask if hiking to Angel’s Landing is scary or dangerous. Randy says it can be scary, but there are chains to hang onto in every place where you would want to.
As to danger, he admits that of course it is dangerous. You are, at times, hiking on a very narrow ledge at 1500 feet elevation.
Fourteen people have fallen to their deaths on this hike since 2000. However, it’s interesting to note that most have not fallen on the most difficult chain section of the hike.
Randy says the dangers can usually be blamed on mistakes and carelessness. The reputation of Angel’s Landing as America’s deadliest hike is also undeserved as the statistical chances of falling at Angel’s Landing are 0.0001%, making it technically less dangerous than many other famous national park hikes.
He puts the risk/reward factor into perspective, along with how to evaluate if this hike is right for you.
Lastly, Randy offers some common sense tips.
Check out this beautiful and informative video below.
##RVT1181
I did that over 20 years ago and it’s very intimidating. Got a poster of it and framed it to commemorate it.
Maybe in my younger and more fit days I would have given this a go. But not now. I’m just shy of 79 and have survived leukemia. I’m not risking anything after all that. [Grin]. I saw a video on one of my fave ham radio channels that chronicled a ham climbing this route and setting up his light weight portable radio at the top and logging “Parks On The Air” contacts from all over the country. That was enough!
Not on a bet.
Makes one wonder who was the first to hump the posts, chains and installation tools up there….And set everything up….
Thank you, Cheri! Not something that holds any interest for me. All others are welcome to have at it. 🙂 Have a great weekend and safe travels!