Yosemite Lessons
Lesson 1: Don't worry, it will be ok
I am going to preface this all by saying that I usually need/like to have a plan. I am told that my dad loved to not plan things, just spontaneously get on the road and go... Not sure if that is true or not but he can attest or deny and he sees fit. Well, Igor is much like my dad in this case, as he finds it exciting and challenging to charge in, no particular plan in mind. So I decide to take a page out of their book when Igor suggested on Monday night that we take our much anticipated, much postponed backpacking trip to Yosemite. We have been trying to go back since May but something always got in the way, work, getting sick, climbing trips, etc. Anyway, I was so busy at work that I really didn't have the time or the desire to plan this trip to Yosemite so when we got in the car Friday afternoon I knew of 2 possible trails we could take, and no place to stay, but figured that we would just ask the Rangers.
While making the 4+ hour traffic filled drive to Yosemite, I fessed up to Igor that I really had no plan and that I didn't even know where we were going to stay when we got there because I didn't make us a reservation at a campground. As is his way Igor simply said, "We'll figure it out, don't worry." I unfortunately...or fortunately come from a line of particularly adapt worriers. Don't try to refute it, I know who you are. lol Let's just say I was a little stressed out not knowing where we were going to sleep when we got to the gates at the park entrance and they had a lovely sign that said " All Campgrounds Full."
So I followed Igor's lead and we went to the Valley anyway, hoping to find something, or somewhere to sleep. Apparently it is illegal to sleep in your car in Yosemite, and no we didn't find that out the hard way. It turns out that one of our acquaintances from the climbing gym was there as well and we ran into them at the general store. After some talking, they made some suggestions to us on what to do. We ended up finding a campsite and sleeping quite happily.
Lesson 2: Know Your Limits
We woke up Saturday morning, got to the wilderness center at 8:00 AM to get our Wilderness permits to go into the back country. After a particularly long speech about how to leave no trace by a new park ranger, which included some new policies by Yosemite since last time we went such as:
- hanging food in a tree isn't a valid method of bear prevention,
- you have to have an impermeable surface under your tent, and best of all,
- pack out your TP, yes even the special backpacking kind (ewwww)
Igor - "Ok where do we go?"...
Katie - "Trail head = Glacier Point - Illiouette"
Igor - "Where is that?"
Katie - deer in headlights look "Umm... at the trailhead?"
Igor - "Ok, but where is that?"
Katie - messing with GPS, only thing that comes up shows top of Glacier Point 1 hr 5 min drive from Valley floor "I don't know, the GPS doesn't show it."
Igor - "Isn't that something that you should have asked the guy when you got the permit?"
Katie - "Umm... well, I... uhh"
Igor - "Whatever let's just go back and ask, right?"
So we go back to ask. Turns out it is a 1 hr 5 min drive to the trail head, at the top of Glacier Point. So my brilliant idea, let's just take the "Four mile trail" up to Glacier Point from the Valley.
Here is the Yosemite Hiker description of the Four- mile Trail
"Difficulty: Call it a 4 out of 10 going down and 7 out of 10 going up. The trail is wide and smooth, and not nearly so steep as Upper Yosemite Falls, whose own valley-floor-to-valley-rim trail is a mile shorter. By the time you finish the second set of switchbacks on the way up, though, you'll know you've been on a hike." (http://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/four-mile-trail/four-mile-trail.htm)
This is a rather deceiving description, it may not be the "Mist Trail" to Nevada Falls, which if I had ever walked up would hit a 10 out of 10 for me, and I have not done the Upper Yosemite Falls trail, but if it's harder than the Four-Mile Trail booty buster, I will not even consider it with a 35lbs pack on my back. This Four Mile Trail was still one of the most challenging hikes of my life.
The name should be "almost 5 mile switch backs to make you seriously question your personal resolve and reason of continuing Trail." It took me over 4 hours to walk up the 4.6 miles, 3,200 ft elevation gain, during which I had serious discussion with myself about not being a quitter, about my options none of which were being able to stay where I was, and having to push myself ever step of the way up, to the point that I was counting my steps at the very end "1, 2, 3, 4, ...30. ok Now 30 more.." See Google earth image of the trail:
I had a cheering squad of various different hikers from all over the world who were fabulously encouraging including the one South African gentleman, in a lovely bright green shirt, 0.6 miles from the top who let me know that Igor, whom I had told to go ahead of me, was "not that far in front of you and don't worry, he's sweating too." HAHAHA I loved it. It definitely put a smile on my very tired face.
I did make it to the top and had Igor waiting for me there to take a break and enjoy the scenery, which was spectacular and I wish I could have enjoyed it a little more. It's the best glut work out I have ever had and I seriously could have been done for the day at that spot. The trail did have some amazing views on the Valley, especially from the top (Glacier Point). (Mom, avert Emery's eyes he will have vertigo). FYI these are not my pictures as I didn't bring a camera, other than my phone with me, and all my concentration was on just trying to make it up the hill.
No comments:
Post a Comment