MapSource
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Google Maps Terrain
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Woke up at 6:30 to 47 degrees.
I started hiking at 8:00. I can't figure out why it takes me so long to
break camp! I didn't even eat a hot
breakfast!!
It was a stiff climb up to the Half Dome trail junction. Lots of folks
on the trail. About 1/2 mile past the junction, I stopped and ate
breakfast on a rock overlooking the Little Yosemite Valley (granola
with Nido milk). No people, no noise, just incredible views and
solitude. Sweet. My first taste of solitude, and I REALLY enjoyed it.
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Leaving Little Yosemite Valley
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18 miles to Toulumne
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Half Dome Trail junction
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It was cold and cloudy all day. It rained just a bit, and snowed just a
bit. After the Half Dome junction, it was a fairly easy for the next
few miles. I met my first JMT thru hikers today, NOBO (Northbound) so
they were almost done! It was strange, with hordes of people on the
first part of the trail, nobody said hello, or acknowledged me in any
way. Once past Half Dome, almost everyone had a friendly word or two or
wanted to chat for a minute.
Half Dome from the backside
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Gathering storm clouds
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I climbed 3600 ft today. I'm tired and felt out of breath more than
normal due to the elevation. Made camp just before Sunrise High Sierra
Camp at site 1.16 from Wenks' campsite list. REALLY nice spot with
views. I sat on a log overlooking the valley reading a book after
dinner. Looks like more rain or snow tonight. It's also 34 degrees at
7pm. Two guys that I had leapfrogged with all day finally went past
around 6pm. I hope they get a spot picked out and camp set up before it
gets too dark. I know that I can setup my tent just about anywhere and
be fine, but I do stress about finding my campsite each night before
dark, and whether I will find water. I think this is because of my
experience on the Superior Hiking Trail where I was dead tired, and the
only spot for miles was taken. I had to hike 2 miles back the way I had just come to get a
spot, and I was beat! On that trail, the vegetation is so
dense that finding out a spot outside the established campsites is unlikely.
Cool rock
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Beautiful meadow
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Day 2 camp a little before Sunrise Creek
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The wind picked up during the
night, and I woke up a few times with the
sound of snow/ice hitting my tarptent. My
feet never did warm up. It dropped to 29 degrees during the night. I
wasn't miserable, but not warm and comfy either. I looked out the tent
and saw an inch or so of snow piling up. I got a bit nervous.
Trailfinding in the snow is not my strong suit and if there was a foot of
snow it was going to be a hard day tomorrow.
This was the first night where I was totally alone in the wilderness on
this trail. Although I have done a lot of solo hikes, and had solitude
on those hikes, it wasn't the same as the solitude in these mountains.
I was wondering what the experience would be like. The remoteness adds
a layer of "primitiveness" that was exhilirating for me. It might be
unsettling for some, but I immersed myself in the experience and
totally enjoyed it.
Stunning view near campsite
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Clear, crisp and amazing
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Day 3
Videos from Day 2
These are large files
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Past Half Dome
3
MB |
Just before making camp for the day
5
MB |
View from the campsite
6
MB |
Additional pictures from Day 2
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