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Happy Half Dome Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

Mr & Mrs Half Dome stylin'

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time.” – Ralphie, A Christmas Story

*MrHalfDome™ – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome…

Gas Wars at Yosemite

I hope yall know that there is no gas in the Yosemite Valley. If you are coming via Hwy 120, you best get gas in Oakdale. Via Hwy 41 get gas in Oakhurst. Via Hwy 120 from the east – Lee Vining. And via Hwy 140, Mariposa.

When you exit on Hwy 120 east/west or 41 you can always scoot up to Crane Flat and fill. But if you exit via 140, you can get gas at the automated Shell station in El Portal, right? Well, not any more. When I was there in August, the station was closed. Last week it was STILL closed. Yellow tape around the pumps. Why?

Turns out there is an issue with the vendor who ran it. Lots of squabbling as to who will get the approval from the powers that be to run the place. And no end in sight. So gas up often.
Unrelated thought worth quoting: “I come home in the mornin’ light; my mother says, “When you gonna live your life right?” “Oh Mommy dear, we’re not the fortunate ones and girls, they wanna have fun. Girls, just wanna have fun” – Cindy Lauper
*MrHalfDome™ – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com…

Body found under Vernal Fall

On Tuesday a park ranger discovered the body of a person in the Merced River beneath Vernal Fall. It’s unknown who it might be as an autopsy is being performed by the Mariposa County coroner. In July, 3 people went over Vernal Fall and only one was found.…

Wilderness Watch Advocates Removal of Cable System

If you’re a recent reader, you may not be up to speed on the Half Dome cables situation.  The Group “Wilderness Watch” submitted a position during the open comment period for the Half Dome Stewardship Plan. Here is a synopsis of their perspective. Tomorrow I will post the entire letter they sent to the Superintendent.

Their words:

“In our scoping comments, Wilderness Watch urged the NPS to restore the area’s wilderness character by removing the cable system. We let the Park Service know we appreciate its efforts to address issues created by the cable system, including its incompatibility within designated Wilderness. We noted that the cable system is unnecessary to preserve the area as Wilderness and it conflicts with the Wilderness Act’s prohibition on structures and installations. We added that the cable system diminishes the area’s wilderness character by altering its natural, undeveloped condition and greatly decreasing opportunities for solitude. We encouraged the NPS to remove the cable system using non-motorized/mechanized tools and transport, and to determine an appropriate use level to preserve the area’s wilderness character. This is a good example of how a different perspective, one that accepts Wilderness on its own terms, is required to …

He’s Alive A L I V E

I was in surgery for about 90 mins . . .   it went better than expected. They only had to drain fluid around the left lung cavity and didn’t need to scrape. Lung reinflated OK… it had been like a taco down low, so now the  flow is better.

I’m in my recovery room. It’s in ICU due to crowding. Private room!!  Sitting in a chair. Feeling great! MIGHT even be released Friday!!! I’m addicted to the blog and had to get back online.  Thanks to all who enquired.  Those darn “motorsickles.”

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “I don’t want a pickle, just want to ride on my motorsickle. And I don’t want a tickle. ‘Cause I’d rather ride on my motorsickle and I don’t want to die. I just want to ride on my motorcy…cle.” – Arlo Guthrie 

*MrHalfDome™ – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com

One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome…

Call to Action

Friends, Romans and Countrymen:

As I sit here recuperating after kissing the pavement, I need a goal. So I have agreed to give a pretty nice talk I developed called: “Half Dome – A Historical Perspective.” It’s totally FREE and is part of the Library’s ongoing history presentation program. It will be next Sunday the 13^th (Not the 12^th as I screwed up announcing before) at 2 pm at the Livermore Public Library. For your GPS set to 1188 S. Livermore Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550.

So here’s the deal. This crummy weather gets us all down. The Half Dome hike is closed for 6 months so we have to do stuff to keep the interest up. If you have done the hike, you surely are developing the same passion I have. If you are planning on doing it, you will benefit by learning as much about it as you can. I hope you had a chance to view the YouTube I blogged about yesterday. Believe me, I have read most of the ancient scrolls about Yosemite and have culled the Half Dome Epistle to the Ephesians down into a 1-hour presentation. I have a lot of neat archival …

Merced River Plan update

The Merced River 3 miles above Nevada Fall.

    The Merced River Planning Team at the park is now asking for your input to the Merced River Plan. They have just issued an online Alternative Development Workbook. I compliment them on the excellent graphics in the workbook. The whole enchilada is laid out if you have time to read 32 pages and then put your thoughts down. They say that by participating, you will gain insight into considerations to balance: 1. ecological and natural resource values; 2. direct connection to the river values; 3. visitor use management; and 4. land use and associated developments. 

     35 key management considerations and potential options are presented. These management considerations were selected for discussion based on complexity and public interest.

      They ask that you fill in 2 pages to prepare for the public meetings. By the way, the one in San Fran is now at the San Francisco Film Centre located in the Presidio at 39 Mesa Street, Suite 107. Go to  the Palm Room. I’m going to try and make this one. The MRP could have impact on our access to Half Dome. 

     Here are the dates for …

The 7 Wonders of the World

Today we’re going to divert from Yosemite chat and have a little fun with the 7 Wonders of the World. True, Half Dome should be one – but it isn’t. How many have you been to? If you don’t make your “bucket list” and get on with booking trips, you will never go. Remember, “Someday Never Comes.” 

In the ancient world, these were the big 7. We know they existed but most are long gone: 

Great Pyramid of Giza,

Hanging Gardens of Babylon,

Statue of Zeus at Olympia,

Temple of Artemis at Ephesus,

Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus,

Colossus of Rhodes

Lighthouse of Alexandria. 

By the Middle Ages, these were felt to be the 7: 

Stonehenge

Colosseum

Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa

Great Wall of China

Porcelain Tower of Nanjing

Hagia Sophia

Leaning Tower of Pisa 

A couple of years ago, the citizens of Planet Earth were asked to “vote” – here’s the list from that:

“Christ the Redeemer” statue, Rio

Coliseum in Rome, Italy

Taj Mahal, India

The Great Wall of China

Petra, Jordan

Machu Picchu in Peru

Chichén Itzá in Mexico 

It they asked Mr Half Dome, here’s what he’d say:

Pyramids

Great Wall

Machu …

Rattlesnakes in Yosemite

Rattlesnakes are common in the park. The many rocky crevices make for a nice home. If you wander off established trials or go bouldering, be very aware of their presence. Do not reach into holes or between rocks. The snakes are not aggressive but can be territorial and could strike if you are probing where you should not be. Fortunately, they make the distinctive rattle noise to warn you to back off. This is a good reason not to listen to music while hiking!

Seen near the Little Spring

      In the spring, babies emerge. They are actually more of a problem as they will continue to bite while the adults give one bite then retreat. If you are bitten, remain calm and immobilize the bitten arm or leg and stay as quiet as possible to keep the poison from spreading through your body. Remove jewelry before you start to swell. Position yourself so that the bite is at or below the level of your heart. Cleanse the wound, but don’t flush it with water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing. Apply a splint to reduce movement of the affected area, but keep it loose enough so as …

Lighting at Yosemite

     The weather at the Park is stellar – about a week too late. The cables came down on Tuesday in half a day. The pipes and boards are now safely tucked away in their cave at the top.  They won’t be seen until late May 2012.  The last few days were pretty much of a bummer. Snows, winds and rain put the kibosh on many folks who were trying to squeeze in a hike last weekend.  So for 2012, I implore you to book your accommodations today. All you have to pay is your first night. I have already reserved for 5 trips. Trust me they book up fast. 

     Now a few words about lightning. It’s deadly. In July of 1985, five hikers ascended up Half Dome late in the day and met with tragedy from two ferocious lightning strikes. Their story is documented in the book, Shattered Air.  A True Account of Catastrophe and Courage on Yosemite’s Half Dome, by Bob Madgic (Burford Books). It recounts how the young men, full of enthusiasm and bravado, ignored nature’s warnings and hiked up the famed cable trail right into the vortex of a fierce thunderstorm. They took shelter …