Another vote here for Goal Zero. This is the kit I recently used on my Yosemite trip: Goal Zero It was super handy. As has been mentioned, the solar panel charges up a battery pack, that you can fill with AA's, and then you use the USB output from that to charge your goodies. There are cheaper options out there, I am sure, but that is not how I roll when dealing with potentially life savby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Well, I would say I don't really like any of those kinds of bars, but you gotta eat what's availible sometimes. I managed to squeeze lots of packs of m&m's in the gaps between proper food in my can, so that was nice. I also learned to stick to Mountain House meals. I tried a few backpackers pantry deserts, and they were messy, and rubbish. Although I really struggled to find a decent rangeby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thank you so much for you wonderful comments everybody. I wanted to do a good write up, as without this site, and the people on it, I probably wouldn't have had the ability to attempt something which for me, was an incredibly stupid idea. I will try and answer everone's questions as I get time. But, yes, I will 100% be returning. I will be back next year. I am not planning anything yet, asby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just one final post, to say I am very, very sorry for the long post, with lots of images, and rambling text, but I was so happy to share this with you guys, as I have been lurking an reading this forum for a long time, taking in everything I could. I have no idea how people planned such things before the internet. Also, I had to share it with you guys, as it is likely that nobody else I know wby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Day 6: Final push on to Glacier Point Woke up tired from sleeping lightly, due to all the noises, and fear, in the night. After making some breakfast, and packing up camp, I headed over to the river to filter some water. I looked up, at just the right time to see this: Amazing sight, as he slowly walked across the log. I was very lucky my phone still had a very, very tiny amount of baby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks, fixed it now. It was this picture: Steveby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Day 5 - Half Dome! Well, some of you may remember that my permit was messed up, and they didn't include HD on my wilderness permit, and wouldn't add it, despite my many attempts, well, I was lucky enough to get the last permit availible at the wilderness office in Tuolumne Meadows (Only by 30 seconds - the guy behind me in the queue was dissapointed!) so today was the day to climb Half Dome! Iby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Was fine a couple of weeks ago, but no idea about now. They aparently did have some cloudiness issues due to the low water level. Does the water at the camp run dry later in the season then? Steveby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Justkeepwalking: By the clouds rest ridge, do you mean looking down into Tenaya Canyon? I thought the view that struck me most of that was about 5 miniutes before the summit, near a clearing in the trees. Glad I stopped for a breather there. Regarding the rubish, and sites close to the trail, I saw very little to be honest, in fact, just there at Sunrise was the only place. The only thing thaby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hey guys and gals, I just added day 4, but it appeared above a few other posts, so you may have to scroll up to see it, sorry bout that. Steveby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Day 4: Up before sunrise, to watch the sunrise, at, err, Sunrise HSC... Views like this, from inside my tent, are what it's all about. What a great place to stay, and an inspiring view to start the day! The night got very cold, the coldest of my whole trip. I woke up at some point in the middle of it, desperate to wee, but there was no way I was getting out of my warm bag and tby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the comments guys. Day four being uploaded now... Steveby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteJustKeepWalking QuoteTechieSteve I saw the Mily Way for the first time. Um, did you mean you saw the Milky Way for the first time this trip, or for the first time ever? Just curious... Seeing the Milky Way at night is one of the best treats for me backpacking and a huge reason why I prefer sleeping in my bivy sack... Lovely, isn't it? For the first time - we don't get many good starfiby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Day three: Woke up and saw the Tolumne Meadows campground in the light for the first time. I woke up feeling quite rough, probably a combination of altitude, and exertion. I slept in much longer than I wanted to. I groggily trudged my way to the Wilderness office to collect my permit, and plead to have half dome added on, as it should have been from the start. (The previous two days wereby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yes, you are absolutley right. In hindsight, it was far too close to the water, I should have been further out. I completley agree. As you will see, this is the only site I used that close to water on this trip. I could not easily find a previously impacted site around that part of the lake that didn't seem to suffer from being buffeted to bits by the wind. In fact, I dont recall seeing any prby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Day 2: Woke with the sun at Upper Sardine Lake Making the most of the early morning rays to catch some charge Sunrise over camp The standard / obligatory shot of Mono Lake from Mono pass Sumit Lake, nice place to stop and rest. Really beautiful area. Had a cereal bar, and prepared for the next tough section... I don't know how you are supposed to do Gibbs fromby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the comments guys! Yes, that was probably me at the gas station on Sunday morning! I was there at about 8am, I think. Grabbed a great breakfast burrito, and a big turkey sandwhich for lunch by Walker lake. I would have politely refused any lifts, for the same reason I didn't go into the store at Tolumne Meadows - I would have been cheating in my goal. I wanted to try it compleby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Just last week did a six day hike through the park. Tolumne Meadows was fine, in fact, I didn't use any repelant at all in 6 days. The campsites near the water at the junction of the Clouds Rest / JMT trails were a little infested, but still not too bad. Steveby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hi all! Time for another trip report. Just recently got back to the UK after an amazing time visiting Yosemite. Absolutley loved it. After spending a couple of days at Curry Village, sorting my gear, food, bear can, and driving out to Mono Lake to collect a permit, I took the YARTS shuttle at 5pm to Lower Lee Vining Campground to begin my trip. Day 1: The tent that I set up a dayby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I didn't see a bear until the final day of my 6 day hike. Then I saw two! One seemed to smell my breakfast as I was packing up camp on Illuette Creek, and then I saw a big one sat in the way on the way down the 4 mile trail. Steveby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteMom I'll be in the backpacking camp at May Lake and Glen Aulin. I think I'll just leave the bear can at home and use the bearboxes there. Seems like that's a better way to make sure my food doesn't go rolling away down the river or off the cliff.by TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Sorry to revive an old thread, I thought it might help people. I was in Curry Village in 2011 and the wifi in the lounge was great. I love the vibe in the late in the evenings, when people are recounting their days hiking over beers. People sat around playing cards, reading, or using the wifi to keep in touch with friends and family back home. I liked using the wifi to make people back homeby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Heading out tomorrow. I do hope I dont have to spend my mornings searching for where the bear decided to dump my can. Picked up my rental can in the valley yesterday (BV500s were sold out in the places I tried) and it seems to have come pre installed with teeth and claw marks...by TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Yup, that's exactly the one. It's been pretty good so far. It's pretty much the lightest double skin tent I could find. Just about big enough, and you can sit up in the middle. My only criticism would be that the porch is a little on the small side, and when I put my pack in it, my sleeping area is cut down a little, but you gotta make some sacrifices if you wanna save the weight. Theyby TechieSteve - General Discussion
They had a 450, but i needed the extra room. I will see if I can find one between today between Manteca and the park. Steveby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thanks for the info, spent some cash in REI, and Bass Pro. Unfortunately both were out of BV500s. Nevermind. Anyway, its 9pm, my brain thinks its 5am, and I am knackered from 24 hours of traveling. The pool here in Manteca sure looks tempting right now! Steveby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
We do have a Costco very close to me actually. Never been there, but I have heard good things. I will be passing right by the REI store on my way to Mantcea, at about 6pm, hopefully, so will dive in there and see what I can pick up. That's fantastic, thanks. Anything they don't have I will try for in Bass Pro. Thanks for that.by TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Hi all, flying in to visit you guys tomorrow! I have a brief stopover in Manteca tomorrow evening, before driving to the valley on July 4th (I expect heavy traffic, if I am not on the road early). Where is good to stock up on stove gas and dehydrated food / hiking snacks? I know there is a Bass Pro shop near my hotel, and there is a Walmart across the road from that, so will be heading therby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
QuoteJayabrams Everything's so greeeeen! Yes, it's almost constanly raining in Wales (or usually is when I go), and there are lots of sheep roaming around trimming the grass and fertilizing it, So quite lush. Seems to drain well though, which is nice. Steveby TechieSteve - General Discussion
Thanks for the advice guys. Much apreciated. Never had problems with my lips. Is that an altitude related thing? Do they dry out? Steveby TechieSteve - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion