The hike of a lifetime

This is where you need to protect your photo equipment, because you'll get wet.

If you are of an adventurous disposition then The Narrows in Zion National Park in Utah/USA can be highly recommended. However, an exploration of the very narrow canyons, where the walls can stretch up to 800 meters in height, will most certainly result in a very wet experience.

- You may expect to get a little wet, my guide Torbjoern Karlsen (55) told me.

A little wet turned out to be the understatement of the year.

Just like a cathedral

But I wouldn’t have had it any other way. It’s a wet adventure not to be missed.

As we struggled along the riverbed carefully placing our feet on the pebbles and rounded boulders my guide turned back to me.

- Are you coping? The river carries a bit more water than I would have expected this time of year.

It’s very early September. I find it reassuring that Torbjoern take his time to keep an eye on me. But he knows the area, having taken this trip in The Narrows, and other hikes in Zion, several times.

- No problemo, is my labored answer.

When the wading begins

Shoe size 11^1/2

After the first few paces you quickly understand what kind of problems any person with shoe size 11^1/2 struggles with. If you try to just put your foot down in to the rapid current in the blink of an eye you’ll be swept away down the rapids. So here is the advice; point your toe against the current and set it down firmly. The pressure from the flowing water will hold the foot in place. I learned that quick enough.

Together with Torbjoerns daughter Solveig (16) we pressed on against the current and up through The Narrows. And as early birds we had plenty of space to ourselves. Later in the day, as we head down stream, we were met by numerous people wading upstream.

The walk will keep you warm

The water is cold. Within a few minutes you start to lose some sensation in your skin. As this happens, you need to take care, as you easily can damage toes, ankles and sustain cuts that in severe cases could cripple you.

It’s therefore easy to dress up in warm clothing in order to avoid freezing, if you know that you will hike in water up to your neck. However, shorts and t-shirt will normally be all you need, as the hike itself probably will keep you warm.

Use shoes

As the saying goes; - If there’s a will, there’s a way.

Not in this unforgiving environment, as several visitors learn the hard way every year. If you have problems with walking, using crutches, or even enjoy walking barefoot, the trip can turn nasty.

That’s why footwear is so important.

Good stable sneakers or mountain boots, that can take some punishment, is my advice.

Anything else will, as previously mentioned, make your hike difficult. You can buy dedicated neoprene shoes. But people I talked to complained about the soles and they lack in support.

Food and drink

You will be out and about for several hours. In this environment the hamburger stands are a long way away. So you need to bring something to eat and drink.

Yes, even if you are wading in water for hours it’s not recommended to drink it. This is partly due to the silt carried by the fast flowing currents, and also because you’re not alone. So please bring your own bottled water

After reaching The Junction, the place where other narrow canyons meet, we had ourselves a nice rest and something to eat before return trip.

You can hike all the way through The Narrows in less than 24 hours. If, on the other hand, you plan to camp along this route, you need to get a permission from the park authorities.

Up to my neck

A hike up The Narrows is a hike on the bottom of the Virgin River. Boulders in all sizes in combination with rock formations and debris makes the hike challenging.

As if this isn’t enough you need to brave deeper parts where the water is neck high.

In summertime and early autumn The Narrows is among the warmest parts of the USA. This, I can assure you, has no bearing on the water temperature.

If you, as I did, carry with you expensive photo equipment, this will only make the trip more challenging. I strongly recommend that you put the equipment in Eva-Marine bags, or watertight photo bags, and only take the gear out when you reach places you want to capture.

Even then you’re not entirely safe. However, it can be well worth the gamble. Colors, rock formations, and the sheer size of the area, is a dream come true for any nature photographer.

The colors are truly magnificent

Keep your balance or you'll fall.

Zion, a gem among parks

Zion National Park is a true gem. As far back as 1919 the area were declared a national park. The first of it’s kind in the state of Utah.

The authorities have since used a lot of time and efforts to preserve the nature and the diversity in the park.

The many colored mountain cliffs ans deep blue sky is a photographers dream.

In the mountain massif you will find close to 200 different kinds of birds, several mammals, lizards and plants.

Inside the park you need to use the bus transport.

The hike starts fairly easy on concrete trials. They will end.

Among the rarities are the California kondor. Only around 300 are alive.

The wings span more than 3 meters. However, it’s not easily spotted when it soars close to the cliff walls.

Still, the six kilometer long hike up to the Junction are among most popular you can undertake on what is called the Colorado plateau.

And you are in good company. More than 3 million visitors to the park yearly, many come for the hike up The Narrows.

The Imax cinema

If you only have a day to spend, like me, I will recommend a visit to the parks own Imax cinema.

The dramatized movie tells the story of how the area was explored, about the natives and their role in the history.

It also tells about how the park it got the name Zion. The explorer, a Mormon named Nephi Johnson told about his findings. This resulted in Mormon settlement. The tobacco farmer Isaac Behunin was taken by the lands beauty and grandeur and named it Zion from the Bible, at it had to be the result of divine intervention. 

The rocks and boulders dwarfs you.

There are dry spots along the river, but be beware of poison ivy.

Wonderful company: My guide Torbjoern Karlsen and his daughter Solveig is just wonderful company. Behind you can see the result of the forces of running water.