I don't know the statistics on Yosemite, but in San Francisco, for example, it had its driest Decembers in 1876 and 1989 with no rain. So in the bay area it has been this dry before. I was reading the NWS forecast discussion last Friday December 30, and this is what the forecaster at the San Francisco Bay Area/Monterey office had to say about it: From http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/getby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I'm sorry to hear that. He looks joyful and healthy in the picture that apeman45 linked to. He probably went to sleep happy thinking about where he was going to hike the next day not knowing he would never wake up. We take comfort in stories about preventable deaths like people going over waterfalls because they weren't using common sense. There's a sense of control there. However, going to sleepby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
On a related thread, a friend of the family said it was an accident. Another soul lost at Half Domeby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The article says he was properly dressed and the weather was warm and dry. Either a suicide or an accident. Though if it were a suicide, that's a long way to walk.by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
"...we camped in a clump of fir, within 500 yards of the register can." Sargent, Shirley, "Solomons of the Sierra", Yosemite, Flying Spur Press, 1989, page 39 So is that where you camped out chick-on? Awesome pictures! Wish I was there right now.by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
This is a thoughtful article on all the deaths that have taken place in Yosemite lately. Yosemite deaths: Americans may have lost respect for nature's risks Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/13/3835136/yosemite-deaths-americans-may.html#ixzz1Utl65afw The examples about the kids playing near the edge of Vernal Falls or the man swimming across Emerald Pool were surprising given whatby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I feel very sorry for them. They did something stupid and it cost them their lives.by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It's perfectly safe if you do it without a backpack and uh, stay out of the water. I did it one spring during a dry year.by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Treeswing, the bridge had already flooded according to various reports. The NPS should have put up signs before this tragedy happened when the bridge was dry. Unfortunately, because NPS didn't, there very well may be a lawsuit.by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Eeek, we clearly disagree on what NPS policy should be. That makes sense since this forum contains a variety of opinions and not everyone is going to agree. My opinion is that this trail while not the Half Dome Trail is heavily used enough that there should be signs warning hikers. If this had happened near Flora Lake, for example, I would not expect NPS to put up signs. After all, if you're goinby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I'm disappointed with the lack of compassion shown by some of the other posters here. Mr. Fox and Mr. Meyer both had kids and now they will grow up without a father. Their wives are now widows and their friends, colleagues, and patients are grieving as well. Is self-sufficiency such a holy cow that not even the deaths of two people returning from a backpacking trip warrant any empathy? For some hby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I watched the videos and the bridge isn't covered in them. If it was only a few inches when the two men tried crossing it probably didn't look that dangerous.by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
There are signs on Half Dome warning people about lightning. There should have been signs up warning people about flooding on the bridge. I've done my share of risky things in the backcountry like cross raging creeks on logs. When I did that it was a no brainer that if I fell in I'd be gone. A warning sign wasn't necessary. This situation was different. It probably looked safe enough to walk acroby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The park should have done more to alert people to the danger. This was not an accident that happened deep in the backcountry on a log over an unnamed stream. It was on a major trail and close to the parking lot. I wouldn't be surprised if lawsuits are filed. I feel sorry for these two men and their families and friends.by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Time for a lawsuit. The trail should have been closed. Or at least a sign put up saying to wait until 10 am when there was less water flowing. They only had 2.5 miles left to the parking lot. The alternative route would have taken days and there would have been water crossings there as well. The NPS is trying to shift the blame to these men so they can get out of this.by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
All you have to do is turn off the sound. You can do this both on YouTube and on the Quicktime File. There's one other option as well. Just turn off the speakers. I love that sound!by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for sharing this. I had a great time watching this. It was hillarious! I actually like the soundtrack. It makes it fun. Best ride in the park! When can I go on?by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
The only place near Hume Lake in the SEKI region that I know of that meets your criteria is Weaver Lake. It's 4 miles round trip if you start from Fox Meadow (not Big Meadow which makes it much longer and harder). However, the Fox Meadow trailhead is off a dirt road from the paved Big Meadow Road. I did it a few years back with my standard front wheel city passenger vehicle. I drove real slow thoby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
So after you flag you have to click refresh for it to go through? So far I have only been flagging and then either closing the window or clicking on the back button.by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I was wondering why these are still up on CL? Any reason why they haven't been flagged? http://humboldt.craigslist.org/wan/2377298978.html http://boise.craigslist.org/for/2413965737.html http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/wan/2403278163.htmlby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
3/5 REMOVED http://boise.craigslist.org/for/2413965737.html http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/wan/2403278163.htmlby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
3/3 REMOVEDby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks!by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yes, but Mr. Morgenson's mental state no doubt was a factor as well in his demise. One person who wished to remain anonymous told Blehm that Mr. Morgenson was suicidal. Blehm also mentions a psychological review of Mr. Morgenson's final writings which indicated an elevated suicide risk. However, his widow Judi, (they were still technically married when he died), would not let Blehm read them.by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Didn't something like that happen in SEKI? They got rid of all the campgrounds and lodging in Giant Forest and then built a couple of hotels in Lodgepole. There were supposed to be six buildings but then they cut back to three. Now you can't get a room even if you have the three hundred bucks a night they want. Also, it's very hard to get a campsite in Lodgepole. Sounds similar.by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Come on, let's get rid of these two: http://boise.craigslist.org/for/2413965737.html http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/wan/2403278163.html http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/com/2437829444.htmlby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Awesome views! Another great place to visit in Yosemite. Thanks for sharing. I wish I were there right now!by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yikes! They weren't kidding when they said the snowpack was heavier this time of year than ever before. That area is usually snow free by May. Thanks for sharing those pictures with everyone. I enjoyed them!by rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
3/5 REMOVEDby rightstar76 - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion