I understand the sentiments here--but the main arguments AGAINST charging for SAR is that if people know they are going to be out a lot of money, they may not call and ask for help. And then what starts as a possible life-saving SAR may turn into a more difficult and ugly body recovery, or a SAR under even more difficult circumstances. And while the Geezer's post does raise some good points.by balzaccom - General Discussion
It was M's birthday, and I and found a campsite available in Yosemite Valley! What are the odds? Well, since we're retired and have some flexibility with dates, and since we only live a few hours from Yosemite, turns out they were pretty good... So on Wednesday we drove into Yosemite--the last day that they were requiring reservations--and set up camp at #33 Upper Pines. . Despite taking it eaby balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
The last time I was backpacking in Yosemite I saw a guy with his BearVault strapped on the outside of his pack—and the BearVault was empty! Of course I asked him about it. He explained that it didn’t really fit well inside his pack, so he just stuffed all his food into a plastic garbage bag in his pack (no problem fitting that!) and then carried the BV on the outside, as if it were a Zresby balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
October 19 at 7 p.m. PDT. Hope you will join me for this! Here's the link: www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-author-hour-with-paul-wagner-tickets-175969739227?aff=bookmineinstagrambio I promise we'll talk about the Sierra!by balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Since all the National Forests in the Sierra were closed for fire danger, I took a chance and managed to get a permit in Yosemite proper for a quick trip down the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. I had four days' worth of food, and almost that much free time from home, so I started early on Wednesday morning to see how far I could get. I started at the Murphy Creek Trailhead and was surprisedby balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I was there a couple of days ago. Heard the employees of the store say it was closing on the 19....and that they hoped to get it "decommissioned by the 23rd...by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Not new--but it shows up with warmer temperatures. With our climate changing, we can expect to see more of this...by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I have seen condors in Zion...absolutely amazing sight. And also in the Pinnacles...where I think they are easier to spot.by balzaccom - General Discussion
I voted for Monday, but Sunday is also good. Days to avoid are Fridays and Saturdays...and any long weekends.by balzaccom - General Discussion
Just took a quick drive from my cabin above Sonora up Highway 108. Every NF road that has a gate on it was closed. Roads without fates we're posted that entry is restricted to those with a special permit. If your plans include anything in the National Forests in the Sierra, it's time to make new plans ..by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Um. She's a thirty-five year veteran,. Not a thirty-five year old!by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yes indeed. And the trip we were going to take tomorrow is now no longer possible...by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Whatever it was, it acted fast. Those people were only a couple of miles from the trailhead...by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just so sad. Everything east of the highway through the park looks like it has burned: Bumpass Hell, Kings Creek Falls, Summit Lake, plus the whole eastern half of the park: Juniper Lake, Drakesbad, Horseshoe Lake....Caribou Wilderness...and a half a million other acres.by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Nice. Hope you have a wonderful time.by balzaccom - General Discussion
Not only was there water in Gibbs Creek (both outlet and inlet to Gibbs Lake) but there were at least two inlet streams into Kidney Lake with water...and a nice (if small) snowfield above one of them.by balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
A trip report of our recent trip to Gibbs Lake. DAY ONE: With the smoke issues very much still up in the air (sorry!) but with the summer coming to a close, we decided to take a quick trip up to Gibbs Lake (east side, on the slopes of Mt. Gibbs—the boundary of Yosemite) for a few days of fishing, hiking, and poking around. The trailhead was easy enough to find—it’s the first right hanby balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
I would encourage everyone to work on a trail crew. It's a great experience, and gives back to the trails we love. Plus, you get to spend time in the mountains with people who share your enthusiasm for them. Highly recommended.by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Are they bringing in more trees? 😝by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
In general, the bus will stop at any point along the road, as long as there is a place to pull out/over, and a hiker requests it in advance. I think White Wolf is still an option, if you are willing to hike the distance from the Tioga Road to the trailhead...by balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
We are just back from a three week trip to the Ruby Mountains, Yellowstone, Grant Tetons, Rocky Mountain NP, and Dinosaur NM. Quite an adventure with some serious smoke in places, serious rain in others...and my sister's generous offer of a bedroom at her cabin in the YMCA camp in RMNP... And we were joined by both daughters and one boyfriend in Yellowstone--- The full trip report shouby balzaccom - General Discussion
Great news...my murder mystery set in the Sierra Nevada was just made a top pick by a leading hiking and backpacking website: https://www.outdoorsgenerations.com/best-outdoor-adventure-books/by balzaccom - General Discussion
I have seen a bear run fast through the woods. Not something I would ever want to try and outrun. And in my day, I was reasonably fast.by balzaccom - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
We’re back from a memorable trip up into Buckeye Canyon on the East Side of the Sierra, just north of Bridgeport. Memorable for torrential thunderstorms, infestations of ticks, and some absolutely great hiking. DAY ONE: The weather reports had been all over the map, from high temps to thunderstorms to perfect weather, so we plowed ahead and hoped for the best. We stopped for lunch at thby balzaccom - Backpacking and Hiking Yosemite and the Sierra
Good news! Printing more books today, so Amazon should have them for sale by Friday. Whew! https://www.amazon.com/Danger-Falling-Rocks-Paul-Wagner/dp/0984884963 Hope you can wait until then...by balzaccom - General Discussion
Apologies to those who are trying to buy the book through Amazon. The first copies sold out. We should have new copies available by July 1.by balzaccom - General Discussion
Just got a great review today! SASHA PAULSEN, Napa Register "Danger: Falling Rocks," clever and captivating, is greatly enriched by the setting Wagner creates in meticulous detail. He pulls readers along on a trail through the mountains, keenly observing a world in which the greatest threat, of course, is humans... An excellent excursion for armchair mountaineers, "Danger:by balzaccom - General Discussion
Thanks!. PM sent. next is scheduled for the fall.by balzaccom - General Discussion
. Gotta love autocorrect. Of course I could pay more attention before I hit the "post message" button ..but that would require me to think...by balzaccom - General Discussion
Lovely story. Thanks for posting, Week.by balzaccom - General Discussion