Skip to main content

Yosemite (Sierra) Reflections



 “Let’s hike to Nevada Falls, the weather is clearing today, and it’s only about a seven mile hike. I want to try out my new technique for a controlled fall using my hiking poles.”

“You want to do what,” asked Lori at breakfast? “You do realize that hike is a 1,900 foot elevation gain! It will take us about seven hours.”

“This may sound silly to you, but, since my last trip to the Sierras I’m perfecting a technique that allows me to improve my pace while descending the mountain trails without falling . . .”

For our 24th anniversary we were drawn once again to the tranquility of the Yosemite Valley. Experiencing the National Parks - that’s what our vacations have become; exquisite solitude, exhilarating experiences, and the delight of re-discovery. Once we arrived, no set plans just go wherever nature leads you. 
This year, we arrived in Yosemite later than usual; the gold and crimson colors were clearly evident. The vibrant colors of fall tiptoed up the mountain walls. Early mornings, a slight mist hugged the valley floor, illuminated by a soft diffused light.

When you think of fall color, you often think of New England, its maples, beeches, and birch exploding with vibrant hues. However as photojournalist Mark Boster says, “Yosemite doesn’t demand your attention; it requests the honor of your presence.” I tend to agree.

The air was crisp, cool – many would say down right cold - clean with the fresh sent of wet pines carried on the breeze through the valley. Temperatures dropped into the 30s at night, with rain in the valley and snow on the peaks. Half Dome remained veiled in the clouds, making its first appearance on day four.

We reserved a tent cabin in Curry Village for our vacation home. As expected, the number of visitors’ minuscule, it may have been the rain, it may have been the lack of services, or it simply was off-season. Whatever the reason, this made for a quiet, and peaceful stay in the village. Our original plan was to hike the Panorama Trail from Glacier Point to Curry Village, an eight-mile trip. Foiled - due to the rain and snow - all shuttles to Glacier Point were canceled for our entire stay. It would be day five before the sun finally emerged.

“Well Lori, what do you think, after all that rain, wind, and snow are you up for the climb? The weather report is sunshine all day, and temperatures in the 50s.”

Without hesitation, “Let’s do this,” Lori says!

Our trek up the mountain began in a mist of rain about 8:00 a.m., fully prepared for any additional changes in weather we packed; rain gear, a sweater, drinking water, a hat, lunch, camera, and plenty of snacks. Within the first hour the sky cleared and the sun emerged. That entire day we enjoyed blue skies, puffy white clouds, clean fresh mountain air, and spectacular vistas. Early afternoon we arrived at the top on Nevada Falls, lunch, a brief rest, and we were ready to begin our trek down the mountain. Here was my opportunity to try my new technique of a controlled fall. 


Lori on John Muir Trail
Using Black Diamond adjustable aluminum hiking poles. The procedure is as follows; extend the shafts to a longer than usual length. For my height (about 5 ft. 7 inches) the normal length for the shaft is about 130 cm. To determine your correct length, at rest grip the poles with the wrist straps attached, hold the poles about shoulder with apart; your arms should be parallel to the ground about waist level. Now before you begin your descent extend the shafts another 20 cm. from that position.

As you begin your descent lengthen your stride; develop a rhythm as each foot comes forward the hand with the corresponding pole has extended in front of you at a 45 degree angle. Using the strap as your support hold the poles loosely as you place it discretely to the ground. Keep your wrists straight and pivot the next pole into position as you stride. This rhythm allows you to descend rather steep trails at an excellent pace. With practice you become totally absorbed in the rhythm and are making great time in the process.

Now, I know what your thinking, what about the views? When you come upon a spot that has a spectacular view you simply stop, relax and take in the panorama. Time in the mountains loses all meaning . . .

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” - John Muir



Comments

Most Popular of All Time

Mom Was Right

In this episode: Mom Was Right (Again!) . . . Remember that old saying, "Mom knows best?" Well, this week, it resonated profoundly. I vividly recall my mother's steadfast remedy for the common cold, which was ingrained in my 1960s childhood: "Rest in bed, drink plenty of fluids, and take aspirin to reduce pain and fever." . . . Or now that I think about it, this may have been a Bayer aspirin commercial–Simple . . . Fast-forward to the age of AI and endless medical information at our fingertips, and guess what? Not much has changed. Yet, somehow, this week, Lori and I were blindsided by a cold—the first in over five years. My incredulous "How could this be?" quickly morphed into a dawning realization. Our company's annual meeting, a melting pot of colleagues from Illinois, Texas, Vietnam, Colorado, Northern California, and the Central Valley, was a veritable petri dish of germs. And, oh, the germs found me! Getting sick, especially after a long str...

Whispers of Spring

In this episode, Whispers of Spring . . . Spring has a way of sneaking in when you’re not looking. One day, you’re shaking off the last chill of winter, and the next, you realize the light has shifted, stretching shadows just a little longer. It didn’t make a big fuss about it—no dramatic entrance, no trumpets—just a quiet unfolding, like an old dog settling into a sunny spot on the porch. Last week, Daylight Saving Time kicked in, which meant we all fumbled with our clocks, grumbled a bit, and then, like frogs taken aback by a warm rain, leapt forward into longer evenings. The sun now lingers, in no rush to set, hanging in the sky like a tossed coin that refuses to fall. With the extra daylight, we find ourselves drawn outside once again, migrating to the back patio like folks are drawn to a warm campfire. The lawn chairs are right where we left them, waiting like old friends. The air hums with wind chimes, their tuned cylinders catching the breeze and weaving together something that...

Special April Fools' Edition: Did You Fall For It?

In this episode: Special April Fools' Edition: Did You Fall For It? (And a Little Baseball Nonsense) Welcome, fellow baseball aficionados and purveyors of the peculiar, to a very special, dare we say unpredictable, issue of On the Fly! Today, the air is thick with . . . well, probably just regular air, but a specific mischievous something is buzzing around. Can you feel it? Does that tingling sensation make you double-check your shoelaces and suspiciously eye any unusual packages? Yes, dear readers, it’s April 1st! A day steeped in mystery, shrouded in playful deception, and frankly, a day where you shouldn't believe anything you read (except maybe this . . .maybe). But before we descend into a whirlwind of whimsical falsehoods (don’t worry, we’ll mostly keep it light!), let’s take a quick, slightly wobbly, historical flight through the origins of this most unreliable of holidays. Whispers from the annals suggest a few intriguing possibilities for why we dedicate this particula...

At 92–Don's Digital Daydream

Listen to the audio here. In a world of his own–lives, ole' Doctor Don, Not one world, but three, 'til the setting of the sun! There’s his Blog-World , so bright, with words all a-whirl, And Book-World , with stories of boy and girl! Then, Day-World , where legs didn't leap, didn't run, Just shuffled and creaked 'til each day is done. But his brain, oh, his mind, it’s zippy and keen, A most curious fellow that ever was seen! At ninety and two, with a twinkle so bright, He met Chatty and said, "What a strange delight!" This box with the answers, so quick and so bold, Of theology and stories, new truths to unfold!" "Integrity, relationships, where do they fit? This thing makes me wonder, bit by bit!" He ponders and pokes with laughter and a grin, "Til POOF! he has gone to a world from within! A world made of words, a fantastical place, Where limits of the body, left not a trace! He Soares, and he zooms, with a thought and a rhyme, Trans...