Looking Glass Rock (Rope Swing) October 6-7, 2017

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Looking Glass rock is an unassuming rock protruding from the desert floor 25 miles South of Moab, UT. Well, at least that is what I thought until I was on the South side of the rock and I had a good view of the huge alcove and the small arch off to one side. Me and two of my friends got together late Friday night after school/work and drove down to the area. We camped on the West side of the rock in a dirt patch. The night was clear and the camping was actually really great.


The next morning, we geared up and headed up the fin on the West side of Looking Glass. The climb is on Mountain Project and is listed as a 3 pitch 5.5 or so. We practiced full multi-pitch technique on the climb but it could easily be done just by climbing it or connecting the first and second pitches then just walking up the third pitch to the top.

                   
                  Me belaying the first climber.
The second Pitch.

When we reached the top, we poked around for a minute and signed the register, then headed over to the crevasse that the rappel goes through.

                            
                           Standing above the center
                          of the alcove.
The anchor situation.
   
 Squeezing through the slit at the top of the alcove is tricky but once you are though that, the free hanging rappel is spectacular. It's a little nerve racking at the top, especially for first timers (one of the friends had never rappelled before), but well worth it.

Me at the top of the rappel.

It just keeps on going.

Getting some air on the swing.

Once down, before we pulled the rope, we had some fun and each took a few swings on the rope. Literally 100% better than a Disneyland roller coaster and significantly cheaper to boot!



After swinging, we pulled the rope, hauled everything to the car, and headed back to Northern Utah. The trip was really short but its always worth getting out on a weekend.



Location: Looking Glass Rd, Monticello, UT 84535, USA

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