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Nathan Brown adds Civil Disobedience to Angels Landing in Zion Canyon

Earlier this year American alpinist and excavation contractor Nathan Brown, with the help of Jackson Marvell and Sam Mack, made the first ascent of 'Civil Disobedience' (V 5.9 A3) the right of the historic 'Lowe Route' on the north face of Angels Landing, Zion National Park, USA. Brown, who climbed his first Zion big wall 31 years ago at the age of 16, reports.

Nathan Brown

September 2024

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Nathan Brown making the first ascent of 'Civil Disobedience' on the north face of Angels Landing, Zion Canyon, USA

Nathan Brown

In late May of this year 2024 I completed a new route on the north face of Angels Landing in Zion Canyon, Civil Disobedience, (V 5.9 A3). The new route takes a direct, independent and rather sheer path immediately right of the historic Lowe Route.

I climbed and equipped the route mostly solo. Pitches 7 and 8 were equipped on an incomplete ascent (Lowe Route finish) with Jackson Marvell and Sam Macke. Marvell took a good whipper on that fun trip. During the complete ascent this June, I climbed the wall solo over three difficult days establishing new ground above the big roof (pitches 8-10) to the summit.

Most of the rock on the route is really good. Hard thin nailing was typical on a lot of the route. I believe solo aid to be the safest method for leading the big roof pitch. Stainless steel hardware was employed. The route is named for Henry David Thoreau’s essay "Civil Disobedience" - "That government is best which governs least".