For those among us who take every high peak as a challenge to overcome the limits of the body, hiking and mountaineering is almost always the name of the game. But if you tire of the local climbing routes and have crushed through the challenge of Mount Kinabalu, how about making your way to the mountainous deserts of the United States of America for your next adventure?
The state of Utah, with its desert landscapes, Rocky Mountains and numerous national parks is the perfect destination for those looking for a different kind of thrill. And through it all, make sure you’re checked in to the Amangiri resort so that you can come back from a climbing adventure to plush beds, impeccable service and the quiet of nature.
Located in southern Utah within Canyon Point, Amangiri is a retreat like no other, where guests are nestled in isolation among the breathtaking rocky formations that occur in Utah’s desert. Located within the heart of the Grand Circle, the resort is equipped with easy access to Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, and sits just a few minutes away from Lake Powell.
Guests can also book a thrilling climbing experience directly with the resort, curated and chosen by expert guides. For a lower intensity activity, you can set out on horseback to see and experience the expansive Utah desert for yourself, or take to the skies to see it with a bird’s eye view from the comfort of a hot air balloon. Water sport enthusiasts can take a trip to nearby Lake Powell for a kayaking journey to see the lesser-known slot canyons around the reservoir. Or hike it by foot and walk along one of the on-property trails towards Broken Arrow Cave, an archeological dig site not far from the hotel itself.
For those who want to get hands on with the local rock formations, Amangiri offers via ferrata trails to take you on an unconventional journey. Via ferrata is Italian for “iron road” or “iron way” and refers to climbing routes made out of permanent fixtures of climbing holds, bridges and ladders bolted into rock faces to provide a safer way to traverse these natural formations. With an on-site guide to show you the ropes, Amangiri’s via ferrata routes are not for the faint of heart, which makes it suitable for the seasoned climber yet still accessible for beginners thanks to the safer trails that are carved out and added on to the otherwise perilous formations. The newly added Vertigo route is the resort’s biggest challenge yet, which adds on a steep ladder climb and a head-spinning cross over a six-inch wide bridge to the typical metal-rung via ferrata path.
At the end of the day, retreat to the isolation of Amangiri itself, with it’s desert-inspired accommodation that seamlessly integrates with the surrounding environment. Wind down from the adventure of the day with a dip in the pool or work out the fatigue at the hotel’s spa, before falling asleep to the comforting sounds of nature that will accompany you through the night.
