Chessie loses her rock in the ocean...
Packin Up
Some pictures from the process of packing for backpacking in Yosemite.
Lots of power bars and dehydrated food, which ranged from nasty (eggs) to pretty darn good (lasagna).
Four days of clothes for 2 people:
Our portable kitchen, including the necessary french press for coffee.
Lots of power bars and dehydrated food, which ranged from nasty (eggs) to pretty darn good (lasagna).
Four days of clothes for 2 people:
Our portable kitchen, including the necessary french press for coffee.
Day 1: When It Rains, it Pours
We had a few setbacks on our first day in Yosemite, but since it was our first day, nothing could really get us down. First, we got a much later start on the drive than intended. Then what we thought was a 2.5 hour drive (not sure where we heard this) was more like a 4 hour drive. So we were WAY behind schedule by the time we got to Yosemite Valley.
We were planning to do a 4-day hike that would start at Yosemite Valley and end at Tuolmne Meadows. When we went to get our permit, however, we found out that there was still a LOT of snow up there, and we didn't think to bring our snowshoes. So, alas, we decided to hike to the backpackers' campground in Little Yosemite Valley and just do day hikes from there.
At this point it was nearing 4pm and we needed to make it 4.5 miles uphill (ascent of 2,000ft) before dark. Still optimistic, we were ready to hit the trail. We locked up the car, grabbed our packs, and... downpour. It rained our entire hike on the first day. This was the day that I realized I do not regret a cent we paid for good gear, from pack covers to sock liners, our gear was never more important. So despite the setbacks, we made it to LYV surprisingly fast (fresh legs!) and were able to get our camp set up before dark!
As we left the trailhead, I couldn't resist buying a hot dog in the rain.
We tried to stay dry for a while, but finally just gave up.
Soaked...
There's water pouring off the rocks on the left of this picture:
We were planning to do a 4-day hike that would start at Yosemite Valley and end at Tuolmne Meadows. When we went to get our permit, however, we found out that there was still a LOT of snow up there, and we didn't think to bring our snowshoes. So, alas, we decided to hike to the backpackers' campground in Little Yosemite Valley and just do day hikes from there.
At this point it was nearing 4pm and we needed to make it 4.5 miles uphill (ascent of 2,000ft) before dark. Still optimistic, we were ready to hit the trail. We locked up the car, grabbed our packs, and... downpour. It rained our entire hike on the first day. This was the day that I realized I do not regret a cent we paid for good gear, from pack covers to sock liners, our gear was never more important. So despite the setbacks, we made it to LYV surprisingly fast (fresh legs!) and were able to get our camp set up before dark!
As we left the trailhead, I couldn't resist buying a hot dog in the rain.
We tried to stay dry for a while, but finally just gave up.
Soaked...
There's water pouring off the rocks on the left of this picture:
Day 3: Hike to Cloud's Rest
On day 3, we did a 12-mile hike from Little Yosemite Valley (6100ft) to the summit of Cloud's Rest (9900ft). The views were spectacular, especially being ABOVE Half Dome. Also, some shots of the campsite and Kyle pumping water from the icy cold stream (notice sweat on his brow).
Day 4: Little Yosemite Valley to Yosemite Valley
On our last day we hiked back down to Yosemite Valley via the Mist Trail. The hike was only 4 miles and all downhill (descending 2,100 ft) but that made it all the more brutal. Our legs were sore from the past three days and our knees were killing us on the downhill. Add to that hundreds of tourists hiking up the wet stone stairs with no regard for the campers coming down with heavy packs. By the time we made it down, it had taken us longer than on the way up. Once in the Valley, we rewarded ourselves with hot showers, pizza, and beer - yum.
Yosemite pictures coming soon...
Words frequently used while backpacking in Yosemite: amazing, wow, spectacular, sick, fantastic, awesome, wow (deserves to be mentioned again), stunning, unbelievable.
Atop Cloud's Rest at 9,926 ft, with the iconic and previously conquered Half Dome in the background.
Atop Cloud's Rest at 9,926 ft, with the iconic and previously conquered Half Dome in the background.
Monterey/Carmel Bike Trip
Last Sunday we decided to put our new bike rack to use and took a spontaneous trip to Monterey.
On Sunday night we went out for dinner on Cannery Row.
Monday morning we biked the Monterey coast and much of the scenic 17-mile drive and had brunch in Carmel.
We spent the rest of the day on the beach with the dogs.
On Sunday night we went out for dinner on Cannery Row.
Monday morning we biked the Monterey coast and much of the scenic 17-mile drive and had brunch in Carmel.
We spent the rest of the day on the beach with the dogs.
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