Last weekend, I finally embarked on the end-of-summer adventure that I had agreed to way back in May or June: A backpacking trip in the High Sierras and tackling Half Dome*. Just a couple friends, Mike and myself.
*Ed Note: When I was 12 years old, I was involved in a girl-scout type of group through my church. As a tomboy, I was always more interested in climbing trees, playing basketball, and doing what my boy scout brothers were doing than our more domestic tasks of learning how to crochet and cook. (Both of which are skills I have yet to master.) So when a trip to Yosemite Valley was proposed, my 12-year-old self was excited at all the climbing possibilities. I borrowed an old Army backpack, strapped on a sleeping bag and visited my local sporting goods store for my freeze-dried meals. I was set and I was excited. But things don't always work out as planned. One day into our trip, it started to rain. And rain. And rain. Unable to climb up Half Dome in these slippery conditions, our troop of girls packed our sodden sleeping bags back into our packs and hiked out of the Valley. Half Dome - 1. Deann - 0.
18 years later, I find myself with a full pack strapped to my back, brand new hiking boots, freeze-dried dinners and no bathroom facilities in sight. I definitely had a moment of deja vu.
The first two days of our hiking yielded beautiful scenery. Dense forests, shafts of sunlight peeking through the trees, the smell of cedar pine in the air... these are not native to my suburban SoCal world.
Mike is the best camp-setter-upper I know. Check out his makeshift clothesline! It definitely gave our site a "homey" vibe that it was lacking before.
He also had dinner cooked and hot cider waiting for me. It was much appreciated.
Although there was a lot of hiking around Yosemite (We went to Cloud's Rest on the 2nd day), It was Half Dome that was my focus.
On Day 3, we woke up around 5:30am to avoid the long line of dayhikers that make this popular hike. By 8:30am, this was the sight that greeted me:
It's a good thing I'm not afraid of heights...
By 9:00am, I was at the top! These ones are for my Mom. (Hi, Mom!) The rock I'm sitting on was referred to as the Diving Board. It was the farthest point out on the rock, with nothing beneath you but a sheer drop. It was both beautiful and petrifying. (Photos of Mike & Deann by Gary Morris)
Back at camp, we got ready to go. We packed up our gear and had lunch. I made a brief "pit stop" before leaving and missed all the action of our little "guest." Lucky for me, Mike knows his way around the camera and captured these great shots before recovering the unfortunate backpack.
The trip was tough - my legs are STILL sore - but it was oh-so-worth it! I conquered Half Dome! Go Me!
