Agreed RE: starting a hike at the proper time. As mentioned, I started this hike @ 11:30AM and consumed all 3 liters of water by the time I reached the top. At the 85% mark, I intentionally drank less to make it last long as possible. Bringing along an h20 filter was a smart idea. Also would have been smart to start at 5:30am or some time when the sun wasn't raping me.by herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Captain Hindsight here. I'd like to point out that I, a person who sometimes criticizes others in my position of 3rd person hindsight (like criticizing those who continued to climb HD)-- am the same person who also praises people when they push forward in the face of poor odds, and succeed. I'm just identifying the contradictions here.by herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I did this hike in early July 2011. Started 11:30am, was in direct sunlight 90% of the time. I'd say...the second half of the hike is basically unshaded. I ran out of my 3 liters water right as I reached the top. Fortunately I refilled my h20 at the small stream @ the 95% mark. I wish I would have brought a loose-fitting hat. I brought no hat. My scalp flaked off the following week. Aby herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Regarding the topic of this thread: "YES!" I am glad the NPS has elected to not go the "San Francisco nonsensical" route. It's great they went with the mentality that states: "How about those who fail to use common sense (like not going near water above a waterfall) are held accountable? They pay with their lives or their well-being." That sounds perfectly rby herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I haven't been to Wawona, nor have I researched it, but this thought might apply here, or elsewhere: Don't the NPS employees at the check-in kiosk check how many people are in the vehicle(s) when you arrive?by herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
"Instead of allowing people to do extremely foolish things and pay for it with their lives as a consequence, we should embrace change and reflection. We should re-evaluate whether the guardrails were high enough, whether the granite steps were grippy enough, whether the signs were large enough and whether the warnings (unnecessary as they are) were printed in enough languages to accommodateby herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I know I'll be exhausted when I reach the top of Vernal and then Nevada Fall next week. First thing I'll do when I reach the top of each is dip my feet in the water. It'll be so refreshing... Oh wait.by herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
No. Why not just let the idiots eliminate themselves from the gene pool? Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Climb over railings, meet your death. Step onto the dry slab of granite above a waterfall to refresh yourself after a 3.2 mile hike= slip into water to your death. Natural selection at work. I've got an idea: How about we put up more signs, rangers, guardrails, barbed wirby herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Pay rangers to station in the hot spots during peak times to warn people how stupid and dangerous things are? How about we not do that. How about we just let the less intelligent remove themselves from the gene pool. Let nature run its course. Natural selection at work? Why don't we just assign one ranger to each park visitor? These 3 people (3 people according to the MSNBC article) wereby herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Survival of the fittest. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. You suggested that: Some (or perhaps many) wilderness visitors are city-dwellers or non-English-speakers and therefore the warning system of sorts must be improved to protect their safety in the great outdoors... I don't agree with that. There is this amazing, newly-invented technology that we should all use. This amazing nby herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
WalMart camping aisle. Pair of Outdoor Products brand hiking poles for under $20. For the price, it will please you. Might help you in the snow. But then again you probably already have a set of poles...by herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Great picture. The first thing that popped up in my mind was the same thing you said: "That's a lotta wood". Reminds me of the wood I saw floating above Vernal Fall in late June. Would not want to be in the water while those things are swirling around!by herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
HI, Folks. Debbie Downer here. Is there anything in that photo that suggests the lock was meant for bear protection? To me, it just looks like someone took a photo of a car carked near a river in Europe. The owner installed that lock because the stock locks are broken, or whatever. Doesn't seem like the owner intended the lock for bear protection. Or is this simply a PSA, that bears areby herosemblem - General Discussion
Big 5 Sporting Goods store has them, but they are not located in the backpack section. They stock probably 10 different styles; some complex, some basic. Yes, these items are often found at sporting events or racetrack events. I have two which are the basic one-layer of black (it must be) nylon. It works fine for carrying super light loads. The grommets will eventually pop out on you. The iby herosemblem - General Discussion
Quoteeeek QuoterobinjaypThe kiosks are usually manned only from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and sometimes not even then. My last stay in Upper Pines I never saw the kiosk manned. In fact the only evidence I ever had that the volunteers even existed was a nasty note they left me for not checking in. Went to the kiosk to check in during the hours on the note and still found it deserted. This is the oppby herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I didn't read the advisory information, but the workers were falling trees at 9:30PM, 10PM, 12AM, 1:30AM, and 3:15AM. I know this because I wake up about 317 times each night, any time I camp. The trees must have been very nearby; my campsite was right next to the entrance booth @ Hodgdon (#84). I didn't mind the sound, though, as it was captivating like the sound of a Yosemite rockfall. One oby herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I propose that chick-on has lived more in one month than most people have lived in an entire lifetime.by herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
That tarp tent is neat-lookin' and simple enough. I can't wait to go. I spy (what looks like) a "Bare Boxer Contender" canister...by herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Thank you for the information, chick-on. I hadn't thought about using rocks to hold down my non-freestanding tent. Also great to know there is enough dirt nearby for me to use stakes, if I bring them. Is there any benefit/difference in using the trailhead parking area VS using the Bridalveil Creek Campground area to begin the hike? Thanks again for your experienced advice.by herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Fun trip, gkam2. The hourly summary of your trip really helps. In a few weeks, I intend to spend the night near the lake, and hike back to the trailhead the next day. Purchasing permit now. I have a backpacking tent, but it is NOT freestanding. Requires 4 stakes, plus needs to be guy'd out in 4 additional areas. Kind of a stupid design now that I think about it. Q1) Will this tent suby herosemblem - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion