yosemite follow-up

Here is a close-up of one of the shrubby things that I thought were so odd. My sister says they are called Manzanitas, which means 'little apples' in Spanish. I saw no evidence of apples anywhere near these babies, but it is only June. And check out that beautiful bark.


Stacey (and others?) thought the pic I had of me with my tongue sticking out was ugly, so I counter-balance now with the one Mary says should be on match.com. You be the judge.
Did I mention that I hiked up this little hallway? Look at how precariously the roof -- the Boulder of Atlas? -- is perched. I understand the concept of tricams and all, but damn. Scares me to look at it.

not climbing in yosemite

i visit california about once a year, but never with climbing people. people occasionally ask me about yosemite, but i never saw the point of going before. i figured it was a long drive to someplace i wasn't good enough to climb and didn't have a partner for anyway -- plus there are already conflicting demands on my time while i'm in california.

this year, somehow, a new climber-friend got me thinking about going. he thought i was good enough to climb there, and told me that lots of folks would be looking for a partner.

i don't get excited about the idea of climbing with a stranger, and in this case i was likely to be the less valuable climber of the pair in terms of gear (wasn't bringing any) and ability.

but then i thought, 'do i have to climb to enjoy it? wouldn't it be awesome just to see it?'


it was.

that's camp four. i was in awe of camp 4. dirty but serious climbers everywhere.
i think those are bridalveil falls. whoa. god lives at yosemite.
i scrambled around the giant boulders where i'm sitting. so i did at least get to put my rock shoes on!



i kept seeing these thingies. the wood is smooth and reddish -- we do NOT have them in ohio.


i stalked some craggers and saw a few routes. how'd you like to stick body parts in that?