navigator 20% OFF RIVER RAFTING* climbers in my ability range) is one of the coveted 50 classic climbs of North America, as named by climbing pioneers Steve Roper and Allen Steck. First climbed in 1961, it was also the site of a 1964 Chevrolet commercial featuring a convertible and a pretty model delivered by helicopter to the peak. Both were gone when Jerome and I arrived and found a condom in the summit register box. Attractive sandstone surrounds Moab, enough to provide a lifetime of climbing challenges. Evan Clapper, my other guide and partner, suggested trying an area about an hour south of town called Indian Creek in Donnelly Canyon. There we found perfect spring conditions, friendly fellow climbers and a lifetime supply of hard crack climbing. Beginners need not apply around here. Most everything is rated 5.10 or higher, providing a paradise for highend climbers and a suitably challenging setting for a climber of moderate ability like me. The Naked and the Dead, Elephant Ear and Chocolate Corner were a few of our enjoyable routes. Evan saved the best for last: Generic Crack. Don’t let the name fool you. There’s nothing bland about this long, and physical crack climb that requires sustained fist jamming and endurance. But as much as I enjoyed the climbing, Moab offers far more than that. Arches National Park, just a few minutes from town, boasts some of Utah’s most beloved short hikes and scenery. Wonderful photo opportunities await at Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch in Devils Garden, Balanced Rock and many other easy destinations. Stick to hiking and photography here; climbing Utah’s favorite landmarks is strictly off-limits and a surefire way to tick off the locals, as the accomplished alpinist Dean Potter discovered after scaling Delicate Arch in 2006. Canyonlands National Park offers equally striking landscapes and countless hiking and backpacking opportunities. Easily-reached vistas abound
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