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Half Dome Presentations

Gang,

It’s time to get out of the house and hear tales of daring and intrigue – yes, How to Hike Half Dome. Here is my May schedule of fun. REI asks that you sign-up to ensure a seat. Reservations are held until 7 pm then it’s a free-for-all.

I think my fire-code busting turnout at REI Saratoga two  years ago (132) may have been a factor.  Even if you got the book or have done the hike or heard me talk, come by.  I have some new jokes. We’ll cover the 2-day in advance mini-permit system. If you have a permit now – DO NOT print it out. You cannot cancel later if you have to get married or such instead. John Muir would want you go come!

See you at:

5/10: REI Brentwood, CA

5/24: Library Pleasanton, CA

5/29: REI Saratoga, CA

5/30: REI San Francisco, CA

5/31: REI San Carlos,  CA

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Mama take this badge from me. I can’ t use it any more. It’s getting dark … to dark to see. Feels like I m knocking on heaven’s door.” – Bob Dylan 

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

One Best Hike: Yosemite’s …

The History of Half Dome

Please join me Sunday at 2 pm at the Livermore Library for my award-worthy talk on the history of Half Dome. It was featured during the John Muir Exhibition at the Oakland museum. It’s free and it’s pretty good. I’ve heard it. Easy to dance to.

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “They tell us that We lost our tails Evolving up From little snails I say it’s all Just wind in sails Are we not men? We are Devo! Are we not men? D-E-V-O.”

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

One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome…

150th Anniversary Logo

Logo for 150th Anniversary of the Yosemite Grant unveiled yesterday. Note Half Dome.

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

One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome

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Save the date – June 9

June 9.  Plan on coming to the 3^rd Annual John Muir Festival.  Click to enlarge.

It’s all Muir and nothing but Muir.  More details later, but it will be held on and around Hwy 132 – the John Muir Highway that links Coulterville, Greely Hill and Smith Station/Groveland. John M. walked this route on his sojourn to Yosemite from SF in 1868. The communities really go out to celebrate his life and his passion for the outdoors. Me, myself and I will be giving Half Dome talks in both Groveland and Coulterville. I plan to walk on my hands between the two towns at noon. It may be tough but I’ve been practicing and I do wear gloves.

You probably zoom through Groveland on Hwy 120 on your way to the park, but on June 9 I ask you to slow down and smell the rhubarb. Have a brew at the oldest bar in California! The Iron
Door Saloon. And I bet you have never been to Coulterville. It was a happening place in the Gold Rush era and still boasts antique buildings. A crude trail from here allowed entry to Yosemite in 1856. Coulterville was the starting …

Yosemite Spring Forum recap

Glad yall liked the April Fool stunt. Our readership doubled, so you must have sent your friends to the blog. Laffing is good for the soul.

Now back to business. The Yosemite Conservancy Spring Forum was great. Nice to see many of you there.

A special shout out to Maureen L., a frequent commenter to the blog. Superintendent Don Neubacher gave a kick off talk as well as a park update.

The programs were great, including a cool John Muir – Teddy Roosevelt mini-play recreating their meeting on El Cap.

I enjoyed Greg Stock’s Rockslide talk and the bear ranger. Ranger Jack Hoeflick gave a superb YOSAR talk with video and many photos of rescues and recoveries.

Recovery effort – note victim's hands

I did a short video interview (as did dozens of other members) with Steve Baumgardner. He produces the Nature Notes series. I talked up Half Dome but didn’t do any plugs – I  might make the cut. I dunno when this video will air. Plan on the Fall Forum Sept 29 at Wawona, then the next Spring Forum on March 23, 2013. I’ll dribble out more stuff from the Forum in future blogs to keep this …

Mr Half Dome at Sports Basement

Friends, Romans and Countrymen:

I will be doing my Half Dome 2-step on Tuesday the 27th at the Walnut Creek Sports Basement – 6 pm. Come by and heckle. I might even spin 5 plates on long sticks. Might. I’ll bring some gear including the Dy-no-mite Atlas gloves for the cables….Super Sticky.

The Merced River Plan Webinar is Tuesday at 10 am Pacific. Webex.

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Now there’s some sad things known to man, but ain’t too much sadder than the tears of a clown.” – Smokey Robinson 

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

One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome

Mr Half Dome coming to REI Stockton

Friends, Romans and Countrymen:

Swing your chariots by REI Stockton this Tuesday night at 7 pm. I’ll be there to share Half Dome info and ribald stories of this massive event. Only 3 months to go ’til the cables are in place.  Did you apply for YOUR permit??

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

One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome

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Half Dome talk Saturday

See yall THIS Saturday at BassPro in Manetca….off Hwy 120 just west of Hwy 99. Ribald tales of Half Dome.

r…

Yosemite Conservancy Spring Forum Registration

The Yosemite Conservancy formerly was comprised of the Yosemite Association and Yosemite Fund. They were merged last year to become YC. The annual Spring Forum is a major event drawing a few hundred members. It’s March 31 at the Valley Auditorium and runs all day. It is a VERY good event to attend. The Park Update talk by the Superintendent, Don Neubacher, is a great way keep abreast of happenings. The price of admission is $75 each – but it includes a copious sandwich. Oh well, you gotta pay to play.

Here is the link to see the agenda and to register.

I suggest you sign up early as slots for sessions go fast. I’ll be there. Here’s my choices if you want to join me:

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “Get about as oiled as a diesel train. Gonna set this dance alight. ‘Cause Saturday night’s the night I like. Saturday night’s alright, alright, alright.” – Elton John 

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

One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome…

Travel & Adventure show

Save the Date

On Feb 18 or 19, you should get out of the house and attend the San Francisco Bay Area Travel and Adventure Show. It will be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center on Great America Parkway at Tasman. Just like the 49ers, events are claiming to be in San Fran but are actually being held in the South Bay. Oh well. I go to this show every year. Clone shows by the same organizer are held in Chicago, New York, Washington DC, Dallas, Atlanta and LA and it’s pretty good.

Lots of outfitters and vacation spots will have booths. They even have a huge portable swimming pool – bring your trunks, you can try scuba diving. Well, kinda – they will let you safely breathe out of a tank while in the water.  (Oh, by the way, the proposed football stadium will be in the GA parking lot  just east on Tasman.)

Reps from most of the California outdoor attractions have booths … like DNC from Yosemite, Eastern Sierra lodges and the Mariposa County (home of Yosemite) tourism group. But I also want to mention that Econo-travel expert, Rick Steves, will be giving a talk. I’ve …