Zion Canyon Conquest: National Park Hiking Adventure, #4

By Arnold Marsden

The journey makes the destination special!

 

Cathy Riley pines away at home while her husband, Bob, tries to save the world as safety manager at a chemical plant. When he won't spare her a week away from his precious job, she ventures out on her own to hike in Zion National Park.

 

She quickly discovers hiking is about so much more than a pretty destination. 

 

But can she complete her journey alone, with little hiking experience?

 

Will trail angels help her conquer her fears and guide her to the summit of Angels Landing? 

 

Will she be able to assist a newfound trail friend in trouble?

 

Or will her husband's dire warnings about her ambitious itinerary come to fruition?

 

Join Cathy on her thrilling adventure in a red rock wonderland as she encounters trail friends and foes, faces unforeseen challenges, and tries to soothe her soul.

 

This is a work of fiction.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Striving for Safety LLC
• Release date: Mar 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224257904

Book preview

Arnold Marsden

Zion Canyon Conquest

A National Park Hiking Adventure Novel

First published by Striving for Safety LLC 2024

Copyright © 2024 by Arnold Marsden

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

First edition

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Contents

Author’s Note

I. DAY ONE

1. Temptation

2. Fall

3. Finders keepers

4. One more

5. Paying forward

6. Timeout

7. Dilemma

8. Recharge

9. Journey

10. Compromise

11. Waiting

12. Reconsidering

II. DAY TWO

13. Discovery

14. Late start

15. Scared

16. Wiggles

17. Ponder

18. Terror

19. Improv

20. Company

21. Angel

22. Offer

23. Eerie

24. Cause

25. Last bus

26. Sleepover

27. Second guessing

III. DAY THREE

28. Crumbs

29. Warnings

30. Jerk

31. Route finding

32. Freeze frame

33. Priorities

34. Gulp

35. Tunnel vision

36. Cold swim

37. Bio break

38. Role reversal

39. Venting

40. Help

41. Scramble

42. Care

43. Diagnosis

44. Imaginary friend

45. Pizza party

46. I’m OK

47. Ride

IV. DAY FOUR

48. Winging it

49. Turnabout

50. Detour

51. Checkerboard

52. Mother

V. DAY FIVE

53. Farewell

54. Support

VI. A WEEK LATER

55. Grand message

Author’s Note

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Author’s Note

This is a work of fiction. The characters are fictional; any resemblances to actual persons are coincidental. I have hiked nearly every mile of the trails described in the book during my many visits to Zion National Park. While I have tried to describe the trails, scenery, facilities, and park operations accurately, I have made small adjustments to facilitate the story. In addition, conditions of the trails and facilities and operational procedures of the facilities and the National Park Service change. For instance, permits were not required to hike Angels Landing when this story was set. Conditions described in the book may not reflect exactly what you have experienced in the past or may experience in the future. But then again, that’s part of the wonder of visiting national parks; each experience is unique! Please visit the park website to obtain maps, current information on trail status, permitting requirements, operating hours, transportation options, and other park operations. Whether your adventure ends with this book or a visit of your own, have fun!

I

Day One

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

1

Temptation

Cathy Riley flinched when the stranger seated next to her on the shuttle bus tapped her shoulder. She watched his gaze shift from her to the top of the large window to her side. He ducked his head to seek a better view. Oohs and Ahhs from the couple sitting behind her drowned out the roar of the engine as the bus accelerated from the Grotto bus stop in Zion National Park. Cathy looked for the source of their excitement.

She gasped and turned toward the stranger. Is that–

A devilish grin greeted her.

Angels Landing? she asked.

Yep, he said, his voice filled with pride.

Did you make it to the top?

He nodded. Yesterday. It was a blast. You have to do it.

Cathy swung her head back toward the narrow sandstone formation rising 1000 feet above the canyon floor and jutting out into Zion Canyon. The Virgin River detoured around the massive obstacle in its relentless quest for lower ground. A twinge of pain at the base of her neck interrupted her trance, so she slouched in her seat to reduce the strain on her vertebrae. She whispered an apology to the bus cleaning crew as her forehead created a greasy smudge on the window.

As the bus followed the sweeping bend in the road, she was treated to a 300-plus degree view of the monolith. Its shark fin profile was similar from both sides. Parts of the approach to the summit appeared to be nearly vertical, much steeper than portrayed in the dozens of videos she had watched back home. The videos had shown steep drop-offs and sketchy traverses, but not rock climbing! Her feet tingled. She wiped her moist hands on her pants as she shifted in the hard plastic seat.

A month ago, her husband, Bob, had walked up behind her as she watched a video about the hike and insisted she promise not to hike the trail. Of course, what else would he say? He was a safety manager at a chemical plant. Everything was too dangerous!

Is that trail in Zion? Bob had asked, surely knowing the answer. He wasn’t as subtle as he thought he was.

Cathy clenched her jaw and nodded, not turning around to meet his eyes.

You’re not planning to hike that trail, are you? Heck, it’s not even a trail; it’s a climb.

She shrugged. Maybe.

He moved to her side so she could no longer avoid his glare.

Are you crazy? Look at the exposure. If you fall–

I won’t fall, she said. There is a chain to hold on to and steps carved into the rock–

You could trip, or slip, or someone else could bump into you. Heck, the chain could come loose. You could die.

She thrust her rolling chair away from the desk, narrowly averting his foot.

Enough, Bob. I won’t be at the plant. If you don’t want me to hike the trail, you should come with me. See it for yourself, up close. This trip would be so much better if we went together.

Cathy had tried for months to convince Bob to accompany her, but as usual, he was too busy at work. What if someone gets hurt while I’m gone? How many times had she heard that? So many that she worked up the nerve to travel alone. She was tired of waiting, tired of the boredom gnawing away at her soul.

Cathy, that’s a hike for experienced hikers. You’re just beginning. Ease into it, please. I don’t want you to get hurt.

She scooted her chair back toward the desk. The video continued. The camera panned down and showed nothing but air for hundreds of feet. The computer mouse became moist. A bead of sweat tickled her side as it ran down from her armpit. Perhaps she was being ambitious. She had only hiked a few short trails on their brief trip to Yosemite. The rest she considered sightseeing, short strolls from the parking lot or hotel or scenic pull outs along the crowded roads.

Like Yosemite, Zion offered so many opportunities. When the bus made its final stop in a few minutes, she would hike up the Narrows, a slot canyon with towering red and orange sandstone walls.

Cathy, please. Promise me, Bob had pleaded.

She stopped the video and slid the mouse across the desk. OK. OK. I promise.

But now … with the towering peninsula of rock right in front of her, she wavered. Was it really that dangerous? A third of the people on the bus had exited when it stopped across the road from the trailhead. Many of them appeared to be novice hikers like herself. They giggled and squealed instead of quietly preparing for the challenge ahead.

She faced her neighbor again. How dangerous is it? How do you get up that steep part?

It’s a bit scary at times. Don’t look down too much. But there are plenty of chains to hold on to and the rock is stable and grippy. You can’t tell from here, but the trail angles up the side of the steepest part. It’s not as bad as it looks from here–or on the videos.

Cathy slowly nodded while uttering, Ohhhh.

Bob’s words reverberated in her head. You could die.

She argued with him in her mind; it was so much easier that way. But I’m dying slowly of boredom here, just like you are at work. They both needed a change, but would he ever admit it?

She rotated her head toward the back of the bus as her view of Angels Landing faded, somehow wishing the solution to her dilemma would flash in bright white letters on the wall of red rock.

And then it was gone. She needed to make up her mind before she exited the bus. Otherwise, the uncertainty would cast a pall over the equally wonderful hike up the Narrows.

The recorded message playing over the speaker above her head caught her attention now that Angels Landing no longer mesmerized her. Remember, safety is your responsibility!

Are you kidding me?

The deep voice faded again as Bob’s words came flooding back. You could die.

It wasn’t fair, but true.

OK, Bob. I promised. I’ll stick to the plan. Perhaps I should try out my legs on some easier trails first.

2

Fall

Bob turned away from his computer screen when someone barged into his office. Before he could protest, Nate sat in one of the two chairs in front of his desk. When any of his four safety technicians did this, he braced for bad news. Good news was rare in the safety field, and when it came, he didn’t dwell on it for fear of jinxing their good fortune. Hopefully, it was only a near miss or close call this time.

What’s up, Nate?

Bob, Johnny got hurt–

Bob’s back straightened as he swiveled his chair toward Nate. What? Our Johnny?

Nate nodded. Johnny Singleton.

Bob leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. How bad?

Nate stared at the papers piled on Bob’s desk and pursed his lips. He slowly lifted his gaze and said, Pretty bad. He fell through a hole in the grating to the deck below. Broke his leg, maybe worse. Details are sketchy so far.

Bob stood up and took his hard hat off the rack in the corner.

Nate grabbed Bob’s arm as he passed. Bob, wait. He’s on the way to the hospital.

Why wasn’t I called on the radio? As the safety manager and a member of the emergency response team, he usually heard about injuries, spills, and other emergencies on the radio first.

I wanted to tell you face to face, while you were sitting down. It’s Johnny.

Bob removed his hat and set it on a pile of papers on his desk. It slid off and fell to the floor. He stared at it for a few seconds, then sat down and picked up his mobile phone.

What hospital did they take him to? asked Bob. Southeast Regional?

Yes, but the ambulance just left the plant.

Bob dropped the phone next to his keyboard and stared at the open door beyond Nate.

What else do you know? Have you been to the scene?

Yeah, said Nate. Like I said, details are sketchy, but when I got there, I saw a six-foot by four-foot hole where the open mesh grating had been removed on the third deck. Red barricade tape surrounded half of the hole. Johnny must have ripped the tape from the other side when he fell fifteen feet to the grating on the second deck. A supervisor nearby called 911, then me. I arrived a few minutes later … Nate swallowed hard. I’ve never heard screaming like that. He … he squeezed his leg … his foot pointed to the side … and the blood …

Nate looked down and shook his head.

Bob gasped. And?

Nate continued. I sat with him until the paramedics arrived. Johnny told them he hadn’t hit his head, but they checked him thoroughly anyway. They splinted his leg and gave him pain meds before they took him away.

The plant was in the midst of a maintenance turnaround, in which they performed maintenance and inspections that could only be done when the plant was not operating. Hundreds of additional workers were onsite. Two shifts worked around the clock. The work was dangerous. Bob was at the plant every day. He didn’t sleep well, fearing a terrifying phone call at any time. And Cathy wanted him to go hiking with her. She knew he couldn’t leave at such a critical time. He needed to be here to protect all the workers crammed in the plant, to keep their boss’s priorities in the right place. The pressure was intense. Every day was a day of lost revenue and additional cost. But he had only one objective–to send every worker home unhurt at the end of their shift.

And based on what he had seen so far, he was glad he stayed behind. Tools and materials littered the workplace. Crews worked on top of one another. And everyone appeared to be in such a hurry. During his daily walks around the plant, he had stopped many jobs to protect the workers involved or nearby work crews. Johnny, Nate, and his two other safety technicians patrolled the decks all day and night, trying to help the craftsmen and operators work safely. They knew the rules. They understood how to work safely. They saved lives. Now, one of his own had nearly lost his life–under his watch! How could that be?

Thanks, Nate. I need to call Johnny’s wife. Bob peered at his phone.

Nate stood up and grimaced. I’m sorry, Bob. I’m going back to the scene to make sure they fixed that hole. The entire deck has been closed off until they do.

Have they shut down work across the plant? asked Bob.

Nate shook his head. Bob clenched his jaw.

Nate continued. Do you want–

No. I’ll talk to Glenn. Go check on that hole–and keep an eye out for others while you’re out there.

On it, boss. Nate rushed out of the office.

* * *

Bob picked up his phone and stared at the home screen. Cathy smiled back at him. Please be careful, Cathy! Some of the trails she was considering were littered with opportunities to fall: narrow paths along steep ledges, boulders to climb over and around, and loose rocks and exposed tree roots to trip on. One in particular, Angels Landing, could result in a fall of hundreds of feet. One wrong move there, and she would fall much farther than Johnny had. He cringed and swiped at his home screen. The three-ring wait for Sarah to answer his call seemed interminable.

Sarah?

Yes.

Sarah, this is Bob Riley–from the plant. His voice quivered.

Oh–Hi, Bob. Is there a problem? Will Johnny be home late again?

Sarah … Johnny’s been hurt–

What? How bad?

Sarah breathed heavily into the phone. Bob moved it farther from his ear.

I don’t know a lot yet. He fell and may have broken his leg. An ambulance took him to the hospital, Southeast Regional.

Bob heard a loud sucking noise on the other end of the line. Sarah, are you OK?

I … I … don’t know. Is … he going to be alright?

Bob hated to speculate, but he didn’t want Sarah to do anything rash. I’m sure he will be, Sarah.

I need to go–

Sarah–

She wailed.

Sarah, let me get you a ride.

I need to go now.

No, Sarah. Bob squeezed the phone back against his ear. You’re upset. I don’t want you to get hurt too.

O-O-OK. But hurry, she pleaded.

I’ll call right now. And Sarah … I’m sorry. Bob’s stomach churned. He swallowed hard. I’ll get there as soon as I can.

Sarah sobbed and didn’t respond. Bob hung up and ordered her a cab.

Damn it. I should have driven to her house and taken her to the hospital. Try to console her.

Bob clenched his jaw while staring at the phone. He had never made one of those calls. There had been plenty of injuries at the plant, but the managers of the injured persons made those calls, not the safety manager. He had rehearsed such a call many times, but some things couldn’t be simulated. How would he ever make such a call to someone whose husband, sister, or son would never come home? He had to do better. Work harder. Lives were at stake!

3

Finders keepers

Cathy filed off the shuttle bus with the other passengers at the Temple of Sinawava bus stop, the end of the only road up Zion Canyon. Those who had rented canyoneering shoes and waterproof pants from a local outfitter squeaked and squished as they moved down the aisle. An oversized walking stick nearly smacked her in the head when it got hung up on a seat. Was all that special gear really necessary? She had packed an extra pair of hiking shoes so she wouldn’t have to put on wet shoes the next morning. Renting and returning the gear seemed