Hungry for Yosemite

July 22, 2002

Yosemite Adventure Photos

Circling the earth with a backpack, a few credit cards and an open mind introduced WOW co-founders Goon & Bingo to many interesting individuals. One meeting in particular occurred deep in the Malaysian jungle of Taman Negara National Park in 1995.

We were trekking to a "hide" (glorified treehouse) where we had reserved a few bunks that night before going deeper into the most ancient jungle on earth. When we got there, we realized we would be sharing the hide with a small team of researchers from the University of Budapest. We shared a few stories but mostly we tried to be as quiet as possible, taking shifts on the bench at the peep hole with a flashlight, hoping to get a glimpse of an endangered creature or anything the jungle could cough up. Maybe we talked too much, but we never saw a thing until the twilight of dawn. Very quietly, a "barking" deer crept up to the salt lick in the clearing. After about 10 minutes, he disappeared into the forest just as quietly as he appeared; and not one bark! Ironically, I think we saw more wildlife inside the hide than outside. Rats, bats and spiders the size of my hands apparently also had reservations for the hide that night.

One of the students, now a professor at the same university, exchanged addresses with us. 3 months later we were looking him up, just like we said we would, in Budapest. Tibor Fusiz, recently renamed "T-bone" by his Yankee friends, showed us great hospitality while in his country. When we found out that he was going to be in Canada this summer, we felt it appropriate to show him the same graciousness when he announced he would make the side trip to come see old "jungle" friends. That's where Yosemite fits into the picture.

Bingo drove up from Orange County with T-bone on Sunday. We all met in Mammoth and stayed at our dear friend Eileen' s condo…Thanks! Over a beer and sushi we bought at Von's, we told T-bone all about what he had to look forward to the next day. I believe it was probably hard for him to sleep that night.

Half past four comes quick when you've stayed up late the night before. At least I didn't have a raging hangover; commonplace in my younger years. The drive to Yosemite was worth getting up early though. The full moon was illuminating the jagged peaks above Tioga Pass as we passed into Yosemite N.P., still to early for a federal employee to collect the astronomical park fee. Hee Hee, I felt like we were sneaking into a circus or something. I knew they would get us on the way out though.

The sun rising over the smooth granite in upper Tuolome meadows was surreal. There are a few places in the Sierra range where solid rock is more prevalent than dirt; the Rubicon, near Tahoe, is one that comes to mind. Just like the Rubicon, the solid rock around Yosemite tends to unleash the primitive side of a human beings psyche. The wonder, the need to explore and the desire to conquer all boil up together when you look at these mountains.

The hikers were divided up into two groups; turbo and turtle. The Turbo group consisted of Megan O'Donnell and her boyfriend, Kelly O'Donell and her finance Chris and a few other friends. The Turtle group consisted of me, Bingo, T-bone, Mac O'Donnell (Megan and Kelly's slow dad), Craig "Buckwheat" Atkins and his girlfriend, Jamie Craig. Needless to say, we never saw the Turbo group again except for the brief few minutes they waited for us at the top of Glacier Point before starting their descent. They had waited for an hour, so I don't think any of them had any intention of waiting anymore that day. We didn't see them again until almost dark when we strolled back into camp. The Turtle group, on the other hand, stopped to enjoy the hundreds of vistas and trailside attractions we encountered along the way.

The day was epic; looping over 17 miles in the heart of the valley. We started at the "housekeeping" campground and walked 1.5 miles to the "4-mile trail" trailhead. Here we switch backed, nearly straight up over, to one of Yosemite's grandest views; Glacier Point. Half way up, a tame trailside doe made for a good subject for our Hungarian photographer. At the top, standing on the edge of a 4,000' vertical cliff on the southern rim of the valley, one can see west, down valley, to El Capitan; east, up valley to Half Dome and straight down at the Merced River meandering through the green meadows of the valley floor. At least half dozen waterfalls are visible from this point, probably dozens during rainy periods. If it wasn't for the hoards of tourists shuttled up the backside by the busloads, I'd have to say that this was one of the most rewarding views I'd ever attained by foot. Too bad all those tourists didn't work as hard for the view as we did. I know one thing; they didn't appreciate it as much as we did.

After lunch we started down to the river crossing at Illouette Falls. The hike was far from over as we dropped 2000,' crossed the river and gained 1000' then dropped another 800' to the top of Nevada Falls. After 12 miles, swimming in the pool above the falls was the refreshing highlight of the day. The water was cool and the smooth, warm granite invited us to lie in the sun for a while. Thanks to T-bone, we are going to make "Playboy Bunny" bikini briefs standard WOW swimwear.

The next 3 miles the trail stepped down the north side of Nevada Falls to it's base. Following the river for 1 mile we came to the appropriately named "Silver Apron", a thin cascade of water sliding down a 200' slab of smooth granite which spills into the "Emerald Pool", a giant translucent green pool just above Vernal Falls. From here, the "Mist Trail", cut into the south canyon wall, was an inspiring way to end the descent. After another mile or so, we hit the valley floor…it was just a flat two mile walk back to camp from here.

It was "Tiki Night" in camp and dinner time when we got back. T-bone, Bingo and I wolfed down a couple of burgers and a mai tai before deciding we better go, NOW, before anymore mai tais!

As we drove out of the National Park, it was late and dark. The moonrising reminded me of the moonset that morning and "sneaking into the park." I laughed as we drove past the same unmanned fee station. Guess it's true, I thought to myself, the best things in life are free!

Dream big…then Live it!

Yosemite Adventure Photos