PRINT: Rock Climbing in Isaac, Zion National Park

Isaac

Utah > Southwest Utah > Zion NP

Access Issue: Seasonal Raptor Closures ***** RAIN AND WET ROCK ***** The sandstone in Zion is fragile and is very easily damaged when it is wet. Holds rip off and climbs have been and will continue to be permanently damaged due to climbers not respecting this phenomenon. After a heavy storm the rock will remain wet, sometimes for several days. PLEASE DO NOT CLIMB IN ZION during or after rain. A good rule of thumb is that if the ground near your climb is at all damp (and not powdery dry sand), then do not climb. There are many alternatives (limestone, granite, basalt, and plastic) nearby. Seasonal Raptor Closures Details

Closures in effect March 1
Check for current Raptor closure conditions at:

nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/…

Description

Isaac

is the middle formation in the Court of the Patriarchs, with Abraham on the left and Jacob on the right. Isaac has several long mixed aid/free routes on relatively good sandstone.

Tricks of the Trade AKA Tricks of the Tramp is the classic route on Isaac.

The approach to Isaac is straightforward and takes about one hour.

An involved descent (a day in itself) down slabs to the northeast entails multiple rappels to gain the drainage between Isaac and Jacob. A total of approximately 11 rappels is required for the decent.

Getting There

From the T-intersection of Zion Canyon Road-Mt. Carmel Highway, the Court of the Patriarchs pullout is approximately 1.7 miles. Hike toward the Virgin River, cross the bridge, and follow a climber's trail to the base of the formation.

Routes from Left to Right

5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b C2 1 ● Paradigm Shift Trad, Aid 15 pitches
5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b C2 51 ● Tricks of the Trade Trad, Aid 19 pitches

● Paradigm Shift

5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b C2 Trad, Aid 15 pitches

● Tricks of the Trade

5.10d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b C2 Trad, Aid 19 pitches

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Isaac

Abraham And Isaac

View of Isaac on the approach.

Comments [Hide ALL Comments]

Dan Russell

You can also just rap Tricks of the Trade, we did it last October. Much easier than the drainage, of which I've heard horror stories of deep pools of very cold water. Feb 28, 2003

Anonymous Coward

I'm not confident the route may be rapped from the summit, with a bag, safely. Much debris in chimneys could rain down. The pitches through the ledges above "the Calvinator" would be treacherous. The original descent is dangerous and teams must remain focused so as not to cut a rope. Two anchors near the bottom have Star Drives pounded in by Lowe or vertically driven LA's on a precarious, sloping, ledge. I strongly recommend 70M ropes.If you haven't summited, why are you giving beta aboout descents? Mar 27, 2003

Dan Russell

Well, for starters I spoke with someone who has rapped from the summit down the route, so it can be done. I myself have rapped down the ledges above the Calvinator and it was a piece of cake, hardly treacherous. Also, if you intended to rap the route, you wouldn't be hauling above the ledges now, would you? Aug 9, 2003

eggman
Durango, co

you can rap this route just fine. but if canyoneering w/ haul bags, a bunch o' number 5 camalots and no wetsuits sound like fun, try the gully! Oct 29, 2009