Nathan Brown adds Civil Disobedience to Angels Landing in Zion Canyon

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".