Zeus and Moses
{{short description|Rock formations in Utah, United States}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Zeus and Moses
| photo = Zeus and Moses.jpg
| photo_caption = Zeus and Moses from the west
(Aphrodite, Zeus, The Ark, Moses, Thracian Mare)
| elevation_ft = 5132
| elevation_ref = {{cite peakbagger|pid=58228|name=Moses, Utah|access-date=2020-10-10}}
| prominence_ft = 372
| isolation_mi = 0.26
| isolation_ref = {{cite web|url=https://listsofjohn.com/peak/23972|title=Moses - 5,132' UT|website=listsofjohn.com|access-date=2020-10-10}}
| parent_peak = Aphrodite (5,151 ft)
| map = Utah#USA
| map_caption = Location of Zeus and Moses in Utah
| map_size = 230
| part_type = Protected area | part = Canyonlands National Park
| country = United States
| state = Utah
| region = San Juan
| region_type = County
| coordinates = {{coord|38.4755383|N|109.9106780|W|type:mountain_region:US-UT_scale:100000_source:gnis|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| range = Colorado Plateau
| rock = Wingate Sandstone
| age = Late Triassic
| topo = USGS Upheaval Dome
| first_ascent = Zeus 1970. Moses 1972.
| easiest_route = {{YDS|5.11a}} Climbing
}}
Zeus and Moses (also known as Moses and Zeus) are a pair of {{Convert|500|ft|m|sp=us|adj=mid|-tall}} sandstone formations located in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, in San Juan County, Utah, United States.{{cite gnis|id=1434916|name=Zeus and Moses|access-date = 2020-10-10}} These rock towers' names refer to Zeus, a god in Greek mythology, and Moses, an important prophet in several religious traditions. Zeus and Moses are composed of Wingate Sandstone, which is the remains of wind-borne sand dunes deposited approximately 200 million years ago in the Late Triassic. This formation is situated in Taylor Canyon, {{convert|3|mi|km|abbr=on}} north-northeast of Upheaval Dome. Access to the towers is via the four-wheel-drive White Rim Road, and a spur road into Taylor Canyon (Canyonlands National Park backcountry permit required for access). The top of this geological formation rises 900 feet above the canyon floor at road's end, approximately one-half mile away. Precipitation runoff from Zeus and Moses drains into the nearby Green River via Taylor Canyon.
Climbing
The first ascent of Zeus was made in September 1970 by Fred Beckey and Eric Bjornstad via the {{YDS|5.7 A0}} East Ridge. This climbing route no longer exists as the bolts have been removed. Sisyphus is a class 5.11 route up dihedrals on the south face.Stewart M. Green, Rock Climbing Utah, 2012, Morris Book Publishing, page 83.
The first ascent of Moses was made in 1972 by Eric Bjornstad, Fred Beckey, Jim Galvin, Tom Nephew, and Gregory Markov, via the {{YDS|5.8 A3}} north face. The second ascent of Moses was made in March 1973 by Stewart Green, Jim Dunn, Doug Snively, and Kurt Rasmussen via the (class 5.11) Dunn Route. Free climbing routes on Moses include {{YDS|5.12c}} Pale Fire, first climbed by Chip Chase and Charlie Fowler in 1981, along with the classic Primrose Dihedrals route, class 5.11 on the south face, first climbed by Ed Webster and Steve Hong in 1979.Stewart M. Green, Rock Climbing Utah, 2012, Morris Book Publishing, page 80.
Climate
Spring and fall are the most favorable seasons to visit Zeus and Moses. According to the Köppen climate classification system, it is located in a Cold semi-arid climate zone, which is defined by the coldest month having an average mean temperature below −0 °C (32 °F) and at least 50% of the total annual precipitation being received during the spring and summer. This desert climate receives less than {{convert|10|in|mm|abbr=off}} of annual rainfall, and snowfall is generally light during the winter.
Gallery
File:Moses and Zeus.jpg|Moses and Zeus
File:Moses & Zeus in Taylor Canyon - panoramio.jpg
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm Canyonlands National Park] National Park Service
- Zeus and Moses weather forecast: [https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-109.910338&lat=38.475615#.X4JPmeaSmUm National Weather Service]
- Zeus Rock Climbing: [https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105938468/zeus Mountainproject.com]
- Moses Rock Climbing: [https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105717024/moses Mountainproject.com]
Category:Landforms of San Juan County, Utah
Category:Canyonlands National Park