ST. GEORGE — Scaling a towering cliff in Zion National Park is daunting enough. Yet two local rock climbers pushed the envelope further by completing the longest peak climbing traverse, covering 28 miles in March.

James Barrow, 27, and Connor Baty, 20, completed the feat in four days. Jerel Lillywhite, the manager of Desert Rat, said in an email to St. George News that the men’s epic push included summiting 20 distinct peaks, covering extremely challenging terrain and over 18,000 feet of elevation gain.

The men climbed 15 technical rock climbing pitches with grades up to 5.9+R/M2R. (“R” stands for “runout,” which refers to a climbing route where protection may be available but is spaced far apart, according to hardclimbs.info)

“This is an insanely incredible accomplishment, and the fact that it was pulled off by two local kids is staggering,” Lillywhite said. “These guys are very accomplished climbers, but they aren’t professional-sponsored climbers. Nothing of this length or technical difficulty has been done in Zion in probably over 20 years.”

Barrow told St. George News he had long wanted to accomplish “The Complete Towers of the Virgin Traverse” in Zion National Park. To complete this traverse, the climbers undertook four days (March 912), 28 miles and 18,500 feet of technical elevation gain.

“It doesn’t get much more high desert mountaineering than this,” Barrow said. “Runouts upon runouts, canyoneering, bushwhacking, an abundance of massive full 70m rappels, so much soloing choss with and without 45-pound packs my eyes wanted to fall out, steep snow climbing, route finding, traversing small loose ledges above foreboding potholes, body anchors, sand and so much more.”

Barrow said the weather cooperated as there was little wind and reasonable temperatures for the adventure. He said he almost didn’t attempt the ordeal since he had a head cold the entire trip. Barrow said he was glad he undertook the climbs with his friend Baty.

Barrow, who hails from New Hampshire, came to Southern Utah to help take care of a family member and fell in love with the area. He met his wife here and they have since had a child.

While attending Utah Tech University, he met Baty and found the two shared a passion for climbing.

“Zion National Park was a connection point for us,” Barrow said. “We went there often and became extremely close friends.”

Training for the trip required a substantial amount of effort. Both men had somewhat different approaches to training. Barrow said the training style depends on the style of climbing a person prefers.

“Think of running, perhaps,” Barrow said. “You have sprinters on one spectrum and ultramarathon runners on the other side of the spectrum. They both engage in running, but they do extremely different types of training loads, so depending on what you’re specifically training for ultimately constitutes what you’re capable of.”

The type of training the men underwent was based on having a good amount of strength. Barrow said the friends trained separately and had different regimens. Barrow said that Baty has grown up really athletic and trains for many physical events, like races, and creates his own training and nutrition plans.

“He started in climbing gyms back when he was 4, and he’s been engaged in athletics for much of his life,” Barrow said.

Baty broke a course record the weekend before the climb at the Lake to Lake Relay race. The race is a 50-mile team relay from Gunlock Reservoir to Sand Hollow Reservoir. The running route takes runners through Southern Utah, along city trail systems and backcountry roads.

“He’s just an absolute monster! My climbing partner consistently inspires me,” Barrow said. “It’s really cool to be able to go out and be inspired by the person that you’re friends with.”

Barrow said he has to be strategic with his time due to the responsibilities of a full-time job and family. His training includes uphill jogging, sprint work and some climbing. Barrow is also a gym member and likes having a trainer to help keep him accountable. He calls his climbing mountaineering style.

Peak breakdown

Day 1

Started at the bridge in Anasazi Homeowners Association at 7:15 a.m.

1. Cowboy ridge
2. Kinesava
3. West Temple
4. Subdial
5. The Witch Head

Day 2

6 – 9. Time machine Traverse, Sundial 1 and 2, the cogs, and the hour hand
10. Broken tooth
11. Rotten tooth
12. Droids
13. Altar of Sacrifice

Day 3

14. Sky Island and the Finger (side quest)
15. Avalokiteshvara Temple
16. Meridian Tower

Day 4

17. Chameleon
18. The Point
19. Big Red
20. The Beehive

According to the Zion National Park website, backcountry hikers and climbers must apply for a backcountry permit through the park.

Photo Gallery

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.