Checkerboard Canyon 3BIV, Zion National Park

Checkerboard Canyon is one of Zion's most exotic canyons — remoteness, time commitment, and geologic VARIETY define this route. Three distinct segments each with a unique personality. Well protected by a 4-mile Dakota Ridge bushwhack approach to the first rap. Group: Clint Poole, Andy Orr, Heather Sabatello, Paige Gilmore, James Edwards.

First drop ~180ft near-sheer wall. Following 11 drops short with awkward starts. A varnished sandstone cliff dominates mid-canyon. First narrow corridor: swirling walls with fire-like ceiling reflections. Meat anchors and backups throughout. No place to be with even 20% rain chance.

Second-to-last rap: 135ft with a mid-rap pull around the corner. Final rap: 205ft into a C-shaped flute. Heather was the only one who went through the inside. Came out near camp 10. With burgers and beer motivation, we pushed through 6-7 miles of Zion Narrows — past Wall Street and Mystery Canyon — in fading light. 14 hours total. A buffet of every Zion canyon flavor in one epic route.