Conquering Angels Landing: My Battle with Anxiety at the Summit

Midway through the hike, I experienced a crippling anxiety attack, where fear gripped me with the thought that I might not be able to make it back. The fear was paralyzing, and the mental strain felt almost unbearable. Yet, despite the physical and emotional challenges, I persevered, and that fear eventually transformed into a profound sense of achievement.

In this video, I take you along on one of the most thrilling yet terrifying hikes in the United States - Angels Landing in Zion National Park. Known for its dangerous, narrow ridges and steep drop-offs, this trail is not for the faint of heart.

This hike was not only a test of my physical endurance but also a journey through mental and emotional hurdles that I conquered. It's an experience that will stay with me forever, and I'm grateful for the lessons it taught me. Join me as I relive this unforgettable adventure.

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And so, one day before my intended hike, right at 12:01 a.m., I applied for the permit to hike the Angels Landing. The response email from National Parks said that I had secured my spot.

Angels Landing rises to an elevation of 1,488 feet or 454 meters above the valley floor. This 4.3-mile or 7-kilometer round-trip hike offers breathtaking views and a thrilling experience for those who dare to tackle its narrow ridges and steep drop-offs.

It was the 28th of May when I arrived the Grotto Trailhead. The distance from The Grotto to Scout Lookout is about 1.7 miles or 2.7 kilometers one way, which doesn’t sound like much, until the elevation gain is factored in, which is around 1100 feet or 335 meters.

Angels Landing is a narrow rock formation that offers one of the most dramatic viewpoints in Zion National Park. The trail is often regarded as one of the most dangerous in the United States, not because of its technical difficulty but due to the sheer exposure along the final stretch.

As I continued along the trail, I entered Refrigerator Canyon, a cool, shaded haven where the towering rock walls rise up on either side, effectively blocking out much of the sun's warmth.

I find myself on a series of switchbacks known as Walter’s Wiggles. This is where the elevation gain starts to make itself known.. It’s a series of 21 tight switchbacks.

The final half mile or 0.75 kilometers with a elevation gain of around 728 feet or 222 meters is not for the faint-hearted and is the most treacherous.
This part of the hike is where the name "Angels Landing" is believed to have originated, with the peak being so high that only angels could land there.

Chains bolted into the rock serve as handrails, offering some security as hikers navigate this exposed ridge. The sections with chains were already intense, but at least there was something to hold on to. But then, there were those sections where the chains disappeared altogether. At those points, it was just me, the trail, and the sheer drop into the canyon below. Without the chains, every step felt like walking a tightrope, with nothing but a steep cliff on either side. I was pretty scared, to be honest. These moments without the chains were some of the scariest parts of the hike.

The cliffs seemed to drop away forever, and for a moment, I was gripped by the fear that I might not be able to make it back.
Finally, I reached the end of the trail. I knew the next challenge awaited me: the return journey. Coming down felt even more daunting than the climb up. But on the way down, there was no escaping the sheer drop into the abyss below. It was as if the cliffs were pulling my gaze downward.

This hike wasn't just memorable for the physical challenges it posed, but for the mental and emotional hurdles I conquered along the way. It's a journey I'll never forget, and I'm truly grateful to have taken it.
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