well kids, heading out to do the half dome hike this weekend. there are 7 of us going, 4 adults & 3 little ones. Should be interesting as 2 of the little ones are under 12, (but should be able to do it). I've seen kids as young as 9 up there w/o any problems...

the scary thing is one of the 2 younger ones had issues last time I went hiking with them (his family), had a hard time getting off the trail (barfing). Hopefully this time it'll be ok.

 

About twenty years ago, I climbed to the top of Half Dome. It was near the finish of hiking the John Muir Trail. Myself and two friends started out near Mt Whitney in Sequioa National Park and ended up there in Yosimite. Twenty six days on the trail, thirteen mountain passes, two hundred and fifty miles with a forty lb. pack and more than a few blisters.
Never will forget, greatest hike to my record.

 

wow, sounds like an awesome hike. I've run into several people who have done similar hikes and they all have similar stories... all include blisters and loosing alot of weight along the way. The most i've done is the 2 nighters. Did Mt Whitney in 2001, Clouds Rest and so many others I cant remember them all. One thing I'd like to do is pack into Kings Canyon/Sequoia NP's again. We did a trip to Lake Seville about 7~8 years back that was awesome, always wanted to go back but have yet to make it.

 

My jealousy bones are beginning to swell !! [:@]

Your LIVIN brotha !!

 

lol, you have to have places to go in your area... this place is 3 hours to the camp site, then another 1 hour to the parking lot. It's not around the corner or over the next hill but very doable over the weekend. then 10~12 hours of hiking over roughly 18 miles climbing 4300~4500' up... one of the most traveled trails in the US...

 

Having places to go to is not the problemo ... it's having the TIME to go !! You seem to be blessed with a TON of free time, whereas I only really have a 48 hour leave at the end of each week. [:@]

 

mayfair were do you work?

 

I'm fortunate for my job and schedule, I work seven days on duty, seven days off duty. When I do work, I work out of my home. I'll receive orders, go do the job, then return home awaiting orders for the next job.
The family and I enjoy our traveling. We're into a busy summer already!

 

Yeah Donny, last year I had no time for anything... I might have hiked 60 miles (usually into the 80's) and only camped 1x maybe 2x at the most. So I'm making the most of it this year. Rental is done and occupied so there is not much taking up time as of now. In 2~3 weeks we go back to backpack into the same area but in Little Yosemite Valley... the plan is to do a day hike back to Merced Lake... IIRC it's 15~17 miles round trip. Next week sometime I'm going to head into the mtns to scope out the Aug 4th run. Hopefully Mike (meangreen) will be able to make it.

Your 48 hour leave offers you the time for a 1 nighter camping. I used to do it all the time during the summer. One of the spots is 2 hours to the trailhead and about 1.5~2.0 miles back to the camping spots... easily done for 1 nighters...

Should be a busy summer [sm=icon_rock.gif]

 

Finny, I work in Philly, and unfirtunately I only get 2 weeks off a year with no gain on that in sight. I've been here for 11 years and I've only ever gotten 2 weeks off ... suxx. I work from 10 - 6, and leaving early isn't an option, so to get the most in possible I take short trips here and there. I'm going camping again this weekend, but I've been there several times because it's only 1 hour away.

I'm putting as much away as possible hopeing for an early retirement, that way I can " Live the life of Steve "



Leaving right now .... c-ya gang