Sometimes you got to beat the winter blues

Bek loves when she can shed the winter wear for a weekend and get the blood pumping!

One of the greatest things about living in Utah is that you can have the best of both worlds all year long. Everyone knows that winter in northern Utah brings the greatest snow on earth. But when you need to thaw out from too many face shots and chilly dawn patrol mornings, we like to head south and feel the warm red rock on our hands. One of the best places for mid-winter climbing is Snow Canyon State Park. It seems to get great sun exposure and always warm enough to climb or hike. It is super accessible from St. George and there are all types of levels of activities so that you can take a versatile group and everyone can find something to do.

December climbing at its best

For the climbing, there are tons of sport routes and trad routes. And if any of you have not climbed sandstone/red rock, I recommend it. There is something different about it that makes it rad. The route pictured is a 5.7 name Twist and Shout. It is a good warm-up route on the way to the next tier of routes. I took my father-in-law on this route and it was his first climbing experience. He loved it and decided that your early 60's is not too old to pick up a new sport. I am happy to share it with him because that just means another partner option when I am looking for a belay!

I hope I am still scaling rocks like this my sixties

Next time we have a dry spell or you just need to get out of the inverted Salt Lake Valley, pack up and take the short drive south for the weekend. Even us snow lovers need the sunshine to keep us going!