Home to world-class climbing, canyoneering, and mountain biking, Southern Utah is the summertime mecca for outdoor activities, with the season even extending into the fall. As I have begun to digest the reality that ski season is essentially over, I look forward to spending plenty of time in Utah over the next few months.
Growing up only a couple of hours from Moab, Utah, I was introduced to the desert from an early age. Being a young kid suspended hundreds of feet in the air by a thin nylon string, my wetsuit dripping with brown canyon water, and a smile on my face, I’ve always felt fondly of the area.
Canyoneering was my family’s main mode of outdoor recreation during Moab summers, though outdoor climbing and biking were high on the list as well. Canyoneering entails beginning at the mouth of a canyon and descending down: repelling, scrambling, and swimming are commonly encountered in each canyon.
It’s a thrill I struggle to define. I remember being terrified to put my weight on the rope, but turning around to see a gaping arch lit up by the afternoon sun makes the fear worth it. Canyoneering forces you to push the boundaries of what you consider comfortable; it constitutes genuine misery as a means to type 2 fun, and I love it.
Southern Utah also dominates the western climbing scene. Growing up, I was a competitive climber but spent plenty of time on natural rock during these trips to Moab. Moab climbing often consists of shaky and run-out slab climbing. The first piece of protection on most routes lives terrifyingly far off the ground, while the footholds are nonexistent, and you might just sweat yourself off the wall from pure stress.
Climbing in Moab requires a particular palette, though it’s also home to some of the most beautiful desert towers. In this case, the views often outweigh any amount of poor climbing to reach the summit.
Holds crumbling to sand, loose bolts, and anchors slung carelessly around the tops of towers are all typical sights in the Moab climbing scene. They seem less than ideal, but in reality, they contribute to the joyful culture of this Utah town. The process is worth so much more than the execution.
I haven’t quite done my fair share of mountain biking, but what I’ve seen in Moab terrifies me to the point of excitement. Sliding a bike down the slopes of rock and trail built on the edge of a cliff bans are experiences rarely had.
This slice of outdoor heaven is one of my favorite places to spend the off-season. Tackling fear is a must in the same way that an appetite for adventure fuels this little town. As I finally consider putting storage wax on my skis, I feel a little better knowing the desert is waiting for me.