tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51230044091985337502024-03-12T18:53:54.685-07:00Smith Outdoors and Travelsmithoutdoorsandtravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645798219088168816noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123004409198533750.post-8822288381924783092011-11-01T13:30:00.000-07:002011-11-01T13:30:20.028-07:00Climbing Mount Whitney in August 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, we made it - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, it was horrible - </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Check out the YouTube Videos</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a quick recap!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lmQZz52vtbA/TrBS0WFSPsI/AAAAAAAAASk/iXx2235riIc/s1600/astro+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lmQZz52vtbA/TrBS0WFSPsI/AAAAAAAAASk/iXx2235riIc/s320/astro+%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the way there we came across this Buddhist Temple in the middle of nowhere!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrJcLJEeTRM/TrBS5TaePDI/AAAAAAAAASs/SWemHgS8p6o/s1600/astro.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YrJcLJEeTRM/TrBS5TaePDI/AAAAAAAAASs/SWemHgS8p6o/s320/astro.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Must Stop - ASTRO BURGER!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJHEFAwvQYY/TrBTw3N56rI/AAAAAAAAAUE/f2OefWnjcdw/s1600/whit5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJHEFAwvQYY/TrBTw3N56rI/AAAAAAAAAUE/f2OefWnjcdw/s320/whit5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1st stop once we got to Lone Pine - Time for a drink!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3g_LZDGu5lg/TrBTgHandiI/AAAAAAAAATk/X2wnEc8xu94/s1600/SANY0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3g_LZDGu5lg/TrBTgHandiI/AAAAAAAAATk/X2wnEc8xu94/s320/SANY0059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">World Famous Alabama Hills Arch - took some finding, but we did it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzgnwAgzwos/TrBTj4_zliI/AAAAAAAAATs/5mxLLrO8O3Y/s1600/SANY0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzgnwAgzwos/TrBTj4_zliI/AAAAAAAAATs/5mxLLrO8O3Y/s320/SANY0075.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Very Cool!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MQYsqE0AJI/TrBTspd_f1I/AAAAAAAAAT8/fhNUAHmfncI/s1600/SANY0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MQYsqE0AJI/TrBTspd_f1I/AAAAAAAAAT8/fhNUAHmfncI/s320/SANY0076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Very Creepy!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sunset before we head out on the trail at midnight</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--eMoQXRio5Q/TrBTCB6TMNI/AAAAAAAAAS8/BYuTj-wuyMc/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--eMoQXRio5Q/TrBTCB6TMNI/AAAAAAAAAS8/BYuTj-wuyMc/s320/IMG_1504.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Dawn from about half way up</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VOU9j9asGE/TrBT0ABgBQI/AAAAAAAAAUM/dG5g1mE3D4s/s1600/whit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_VOU9j9asGE/TrBT0ABgBQI/AAAAAAAAAUM/dG5g1mE3D4s/s320/whit.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkoXm9tVlAE/TrBTNSYVYRI/AAAAAAAAATE/luAfCD7Kqgc/s1600/IMG_1510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkoXm9tVlAE/TrBTNSYVYRI/AAAAAAAAATE/luAfCD7Kqgc/s320/IMG_1510.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Dan got sick as a dog!!! Altitude Sickness :-(</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilvy44s5Eyo/TrBTS1UmEyI/AAAAAAAAATM/HoXO0eSdaIY/s1600/IMG_1532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilvy44s5Eyo/TrBTS1UmEyI/AAAAAAAAATM/HoXO0eSdaIY/s320/IMG_1532.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But we made it to 14,494 feet, Mount Whitney, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tallest Peak in Continental United States</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sdi6Cz3jEmc/TrBTYZrPkRI/AAAAAAAAATU/DkQPfU6f1rA/s1600/IMG_1537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sdi6Cz3jEmc/TrBTYZrPkRI/AAAAAAAAATU/DkQPfU6f1rA/s320/IMG_1537.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The trip down was even worse than up! Took the Mountaineers route down to complete the entire circuit. Not as much fun as it sounded. 20 Hours start to finish!!!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbZ_x7fSNts/TrBS9r5ApMI/AAAAAAAAAS0/vJePnia0FUs/s1600/ff.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gbZ_x7fSNts/TrBS9r5ApMI/AAAAAAAAAS0/vJePnia0FUs/s320/ff.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A quick stop at Fossil Falls on the way home!!!</div>smithoutdoorsandtravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645798219088168816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123004409198533750.post-52472126581603991242011-11-01T13:11:00.000-07:002011-11-01T13:11:47.997-07:00Boulder Basin Family Camping Trip<div style="text-align: center;">A YouTube video is available for a bit more detail of this trip!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n4M3kqT05tI/TrBRLvJYuRI/AAAAAAAAARs/9dIbDqwkXGM/s1600/bb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n4M3kqT05tI/TrBRLvJYuRI/AAAAAAAAARs/9dIbDqwkXGM/s320/bb.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kids all striking a pose on a rock!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwUO0GkbPGs/TrBRYhrU_eI/AAAAAAAAAR0/yo4KA1S-QZw/s1600/SANY0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwUO0GkbPGs/TrBRYhrU_eI/AAAAAAAAAR0/yo4KA1S-QZw/s320/SANY0013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loves the headlamp</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tIiMllShQZY/TrBRegmxAGI/AAAAAAAAAR8/3LD70sLEvy8/s1600/SANY0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tIiMllShQZY/TrBRegmxAGI/AAAAAAAAAR8/3LD70sLEvy8/s320/SANY0019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">THE BUG THAT "ATTACKED" MCKENNA</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-56dJJzI08_0/TrBRkQWJWYI/AAAAAAAAASE/THPvS3x8PkM/s1600/SANY0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-56dJJzI08_0/TrBRkQWJWYI/AAAAAAAAASE/THPvS3x8PkM/s320/SANY0036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fishing in Lake Fulmor</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S9dKLQOuEoI/TrBRoBlD67I/AAAAAAAAASM/JZm2_3AbRUs/s1600/SANY0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S9dKLQOuEoI/TrBRoBlD67I/AAAAAAAAASM/JZm2_3AbRUs/s320/SANY0053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dirty with Giggles</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWq_z3UsbMQ/TrBRrzrleZI/AAAAAAAAASU/SyRxpq5LM1k/s1600/SANY0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWq_z3UsbMQ/TrBRrzrleZI/AAAAAAAAASU/SyRxpq5LM1k/s320/SANY0063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Matching Camping Buddies</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQNIgQxTRXo/TrBRuycJPOI/AAAAAAAAASc/5oOi8PPkIgs/s1600/SANY0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QQNIgQxTRXo/TrBRuycJPOI/AAAAAAAAASc/5oOi8PPkIgs/s320/SANY0098.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fire Lookout Tower at the top of Black Mountain</div>smithoutdoorsandtravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645798219088168816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123004409198533750.post-8519622739118362272011-11-01T13:04:00.000-07:002011-11-01T13:04:05.345-07:00July 2011 - A Quick Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Most of the activities here are also in our YouTube videos in a bit more detail!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3up9fUmgSA/TrBPGEG1piI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/iJOT84Re8sM/s1600/SANY0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a3up9fUmgSA/TrBPGEG1piI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/iJOT84Re8sM/s320/SANY0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mugs Away Saloon "Moon the Train"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oy2JKuhb0_U/TrBPMdx-yqI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/9TGfTN5STPw/s1600/SANY0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oy2JKuhb0_U/TrBPMdx-yqI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/9TGfTN5STPw/s320/SANY0082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Huntington Beach Dog Beach</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUHXwoOMsiM/TrBPWsJqlxI/AAAAAAAAARE/iMUGQ9R81S0/s1600/SANY0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUHXwoOMsiM/TrBPWsJqlxI/AAAAAAAAARE/iMUGQ9R81S0/s320/SANY0080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Huntington Beach Dog Beach</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QOyR_2TAxxY/TrBPZhacBCI/AAAAAAAAARM/ynYc8sLGQ9o/s1600/SANY0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QOyR_2TAxxY/TrBPZhacBCI/AAAAAAAAARM/ynYc8sLGQ9o/s320/SANY0034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hangar 18 in Riverside</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Geo Caching</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">REI Used Gear Sale, Tustin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4HaLXB-Fj0/TrBQlzQzCRI/AAAAAAAAARk/s63goELIg10/s1600/as.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4HaLXB-Fj0/TrBQlzQzCRI/AAAAAAAAARk/s63goELIg10/s320/as.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A's Burgers, Laguna Niguel</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>smithoutdoorsandtravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645798219088168816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123004409198533750.post-5017121046316398112011-10-16T16:02:00.000-07:002011-11-01T13:05:08.836-07:004 Videos Posted on YouTubeSummer Family Camping Trip - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVw9cHkvw3U">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVw9cHkvw3U</a><br />
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Action Packed Episode - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwKySsO8F2o">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwKySsO8F2o</a><br />
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Mugs Away - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRWWnPcwDl8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRWWnPcwDl8</a><br />
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Holy Jim Falls - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqRQUGvJcWc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqRQUGvJcWc</a>smithoutdoorsandtravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645798219088168816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123004409198533750.post-25311671381991630032011-07-11T23:18:00.000-07:002011-07-11T23:18:55.053-07:00Yosemite Videos - 3 EpisodesEpisode 1 - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1kFolYnz8A">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1kFolYnz8A</a><br />
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Episode 2 - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHkDOxDIFDQ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHkDOxDIFDQ</a><br />
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Episode 3 - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Hm_k5QFXo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Hm_k5QFXo</a>smithoutdoorsandtravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645798219088168816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123004409198533750.post-30972220692007515882011-07-07T12:55:00.000-07:002011-07-07T12:57:32.700-07:00Holy Jim Trail and Falls, July 2011Here are some photos of a dayhike we took one weekend in July, 2011.<br />
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Also, stay tuned for the edited video of the hike coming soon to YouTube and reposted here on the Blog as well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><em>STATS</em></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Adventurers: Dan, Melody, McKenna, Charlie, Patches</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When: July 2011</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Location: Holy Jim Trail, Santiago Canyon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Duration: Daytrip in OC</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stay: Daytrip in OC</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mileage: 1 mile each way, 650 foot elevation gain</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Highlights: Reaching the Falls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DPHclq2yeW4/ThX0Rl7JB6I/AAAAAAAAANM/BeEfO_sOVak/s1600/SANY0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DPHclq2yeW4/ThX0Rl7JB6I/AAAAAAAAANM/BeEfO_sOVak/s320/SANY0389.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVHOJlgzkq8/ThX0iR6x5pI/AAAAAAAAANQ/_odYiJ-6Qiw/s1600/SANY0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVHOJlgzkq8/ThX0iR6x5pI/AAAAAAAAANQ/_odYiJ-6Qiw/s320/SANY0391.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>smithoutdoorsandtravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645798219088168816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123004409198533750.post-45220071648793632872011-07-06T15:46:00.000-07:002011-07-11T10:32:08.569-07:00Yosemite Summer, 2011We have opted to try a different format on our second post - instead of a story followed by photos with captions we thought we would have all the photos appear chronologically with a caption/small story. We would love to hear your thoughts on which format you like more. Also, stay tuned for the edited video of the entire trip coming soon to YouTube and reposted here on the Blog as well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><em>STATS</em></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Adventurers: Dan, Melody, Shawn, Erica</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When: June and July 2011</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Location: Yosemite, Route 395</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Duration: 10 Days, 9 Nights</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stay: Backpacking and Campgrounds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mileage: 70 miles on foot, 7 hours drive each way</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Highlights: Summiting Half Dome, Mist Trail, Bear Sightings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><strong><u>Must See: </u></strong><br />
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The Mist Trail from Happy Isles to the top of Vernal Falls. A short hike, but a wet hike. Do it on a warm day and the mist is awesome. Don't wear cotton and you'll be dry in minutes. Don't be one of those poncho wearing types!<br />
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Sentinel Dome might have the best views in all of Yosemite. You can see EVERYTHING. And there is a pretty easy trailhead off of Glacier Point Road that just about anyone can do (unlike the crazy steep 4 Mile Trail from the Valley floor). Only 1.25 miles.<br />
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Leaving through the Tioga Pass South on the 395? Stop in Mammoth to see Devil's Postpile National Monument, Mammoth Brewing Company (Rootbeer for kids) and Manzanar National Historic Site.<br />
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<strong><u>Tips:</u></strong><br />
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Bring walking sticks. They are great for the knees on the downills and also double in case of freak rainstorms as clothes dryers.<br />
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Doing Half Dome? Bring gloves for the cables. Garden gloves, the kind with rubber that are sort of sticky work best.<br />
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Doing Half Dome? Don't try to day hike it. Backpack in the day before. Stay at a campsite at the junction of the John Muir Trail and Clouds Rest Trail right next to the creek. Best campsite in all of Yosemite.Wake up early and beat all the day hikers leaving from the Valley floor in the morning and get Half Dome all to yourself. Not doing Half Dome? Camp there anyway. Trust us!<br />
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Get up early (dark) and hit the trails at dawn. The trails are practically empty and you get the best chances to see wildlife early in the morning. This is once in a lifetime type of stuff. Do you really need the extra two hours of sleep?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 - The Yosemite Valley view from the Wawona Tunnel Lookout.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NgSZfl6f15c/ThTDrbzno_I/AAAAAAAAACI/bOdmNN4bFNE/s1600/SANY0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NgSZfl6f15c/ThTDrbzno_I/AAAAAAAAACI/bOdmNN4bFNE/s320/SANY0035.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wawona Tunnel Survey Monument.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sse0Jun-lNA/ThTDwecPCLI/AAAAAAAAACM/SIcab_ImAMc/s1600/SANY0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sse0Jun-lNA/ThTDwecPCLI/AAAAAAAAACM/SIcab_ImAMc/s320/SANY0049.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erica, Shawn, Dan and Mel at Wawona Tunnel Lookout.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9HX1fEPE8jc/ThTD04AjqFI/AAAAAAAAACQ/9Text5AqRS8/s1600/SANY0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9HX1fEPE8jc/ThTD04AjqFI/AAAAAAAAACQ/9Text5AqRS8/s320/SANY0044.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First 15 minutes in Yosemite Village - Yeah, the deer are quite friendly, especially with Snow White Melody. Shawn says "The deer are like rats. They're everywhere."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEmCb-qAhwg/ThTD7r49inI/AAAAAAAAACY/ve658OzckOM/s1600/SANY0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEmCb-qAhwg/ThTD7r49inI/AAAAAAAAACY/ve658OzckOM/s320/SANY0056.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 - Time to start hiking. Up, up and away!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yb9KZCuQweQ/ThTEKBlsKnI/AAAAAAAAACc/GfliId6hWT8/s1600/SANY0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yb9KZCuQweQ/ThTEKBlsKnI/AAAAAAAAACc/GfliId6hWT8/s320/SANY0072.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't feed the wildlife - especially the ones known to carry Bubonic Plague - doesn't apply to Snow White I guess. Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUEndOPogPM/ThTEP_sGAcI/AAAAAAAAACg/0aP0PvNtFEw/s1600/SANY0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUEndOPogPM/ThTEP_sGAcI/AAAAAAAAACg/0aP0PvNtFEw/s320/SANY0086.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Pacific Rattlesnake was about 20 yards down the path from the squirrel. Snow White didn't try to pet this one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aDuEU7RsuKw/ThTETJY-pZI/AAAAAAAAACk/AlbfP6soCpk/s1600/SANY0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aDuEU7RsuKw/ThTETJY-pZI/AAAAAAAAACk/AlbfP6soCpk/s320/SANY0087.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Survey Monument half way up the Yosemite Falls trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jfxI7wVgjrI/ThTFCPmm12I/AAAAAAAAACo/w8jRRPVY-GM/s1600/SANY0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jfxI7wVgjrI/ThTFCPmm12I/AAAAAAAAACo/w8jRRPVY-GM/s320/SANY0092.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rock cairn Dan built on the Yosemite Falls trail.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x2U13kFUKYo/ThTFFg4653I/AAAAAAAAACs/QlKno-Hdp6g/s1600/SANY0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x2U13kFUKYo/ThTFFg4653I/AAAAAAAAACs/QlKno-Hdp6g/s320/SANY0108.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 3 - Dan and Mel on the summit of El Capitan. No Survey Monument could be found ANYWHERE!!! Not even under any rocks.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKzQhWZBTyU/ThTFLbofVDI/AAAAAAAAACw/9tE68HPtxA4/s1600/SANY0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKzQhWZBTyU/ThTFLbofVDI/AAAAAAAAACw/9tE68HPtxA4/s320/SANY0111.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mel blew out her knee on this hike and the bandana was the only thing handy to try to stabilize it. A very painful day and it continued the rest of the trip. Thank goodness for Tramadol.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mN4y7i05n1o/ThTFOoS0sZI/AAAAAAAAAC0/2qJgml21Tkc/s1600/SANY0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mN4y7i05n1o/ThTFOoS0sZI/AAAAAAAAAC0/2qJgml21Tkc/s320/SANY0112.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan on Eagle Peak. Arg - no Survey Monument here either.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1Or5g47h_A/Thsut9nRbJI/AAAAAAAAAOE/i_cWSspibrU/s1600/IMG_1228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f1Or5g47h_A/Thsut9nRbJI/AAAAAAAAAOE/i_cWSspibrU/s320/IMG_1228.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you look closely, center of the photo and up just a bit - yep, that's a bear alright!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYGUivg_1xE/ThsxHhLrClI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Ry6-mAId0wA/s1600/IMG_1400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYGUivg_1xE/ThsxHhLrClI/AAAAAAAAAOY/Ry6-mAId0wA/s320/IMG_1400.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Save the bears. Here is a photo of one of the many info boards in the park detailing bear "incidents".</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPYREtZxRA0/ThTFUQ6FBTI/AAAAAAAAAC4/13quPzAJjZA/s1600/SANY0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jPYREtZxRA0/ThTFUQ6FBTI/AAAAAAAAAC4/13quPzAJjZA/s320/SANY0122.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erica was the super spotter for wildlife all trip long. She spotted Smokey here on the way back from El Capitan right by a meadow. We tracked him/her for a little bit to get this close and take a few pics. A little blurry due to a racing heart and shaky hand from being so close on pursuit. One of the highlights of the trip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMobvs7oeoQ/ThTFZEBcKxI/AAAAAAAAAC8/wu6lb_pNgZY/s1600/SANY0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMobvs7oeoQ/ThTFZEBcKxI/AAAAAAAAAC8/wu6lb_pNgZY/s320/SANY0129.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 4 - Up at 4 am to catch the sunrise from Yosemite Point by 5:30 am. Mel found this great overhang to protect us from the wind. We made hot tea and had fantastic view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8V5vChojlI/ThTFrLZiBtI/AAAAAAAAADA/DjtVNK96N7I/s1600/SANY0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8V5vChojlI/ThTFrLZiBtI/AAAAAAAAADA/DjtVNK96N7I/s320/SANY0131.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Yosemite Point of the Sun coming up over Half Dome. You can still see the Moon just a little.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u5jEmI6vLpM/ThTFue3ZyfI/AAAAAAAAADE/81daO93lodY/s1600/SANY0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u5jEmI6vLpM/ThTFue3ZyfI/AAAAAAAAADE/81daO93lodY/s320/SANY0134.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan and Shawn as the Sun is rising over the mountains on our way to North Dome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-niVUPTbc8Ac/ThTFyYHkB0I/AAAAAAAAADI/0IlaqcDGcLs/s1600/SANY0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-niVUPTbc8Ac/ThTFyYHkB0I/AAAAAAAAADI/0IlaqcDGcLs/s320/SANY0141.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Dome Survey Monument. FINALLY!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ-g-XZD-KM/ThTHaM4RzfI/AAAAAAAAADU/2Bq2GCw8vDk/s1600/SANY0142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EJ-g-XZD-KM/ThTHaM4RzfI/AAAAAAAAADU/2Bq2GCw8vDk/s320/SANY0142.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan and Mel on the summit of North Dome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8yDZeF_5kKk/ThTHd-muE1I/AAAAAAAAADY/liVL0r5tbyk/s1600/SANY0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8yDZeF_5kKk/ThTHd-muE1I/AAAAAAAAADY/liVL0r5tbyk/s320/SANY0156.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 5 - Heading up the Mist Trail. Rainbows galore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mDb38jSvN0M/ThTH7uLWESI/AAAAAAAAADs/K1tKyAqTAH0/s1600/SANY0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mDb38jSvN0M/ThTH7uLWESI/AAAAAAAAADs/K1tKyAqTAH0/s320/SANY0163.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's higher than it looks. Someone lugged those stones all the way up there to make a cairn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQevpJZD0wQ/ThTHkPO3BvI/AAAAAAAAADc/8KLZg8l5hig/s1600/SANY0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQevpJZD0wQ/ThTHkPO3BvI/AAAAAAAAADc/8KLZg8l5hig/s320/SANY0157.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan and Mel at the top of the Mist Trail/Vernal Falls. This part of the trip was the highlight for all four of us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yViNR7dHRXE/ThTHrUnEfeI/AAAAAAAAADg/vVlW0mjfAnc/s1600/SANY0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yViNR7dHRXE/ThTHrUnEfeI/AAAAAAAAADg/vVlW0mjfAnc/s320/SANY0161.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shawn, Erica, Melody and Dan at the top of Vernal Falls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-916slPPArmg/ThTHzGYN--I/AAAAAAAAADo/HQCDXLTT99M/s1600/SANY0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-916slPPArmg/ThTHzGYN--I/AAAAAAAAADo/HQCDXLTT99M/s320/SANY0166.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The John Muir Trail. Camp for the night is about 3 miles away. Half Dome is about 5 miles away. Mount Whitney is about 215 miles away!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJPpa0vAhF8/Thsu4uFBc4I/AAAAAAAAAOI/DkUe7pnPk6Q/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJPpa0vAhF8/Thsu4uFBc4I/AAAAAAAAAOI/DkUe7pnPk6Q/s320/IMG_1322.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shawn, AKA Karate Kid, getting ready to climb Half Dome at sunrise.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixqrhSNzgZQ/ThTHvV3a1NI/AAAAAAAAADk/9FegRnxIIH8/s1600/SANY0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixqrhSNzgZQ/ThTHvV3a1NI/AAAAAAAAADk/9FegRnxIIH8/s320/SANY0168.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best camp EVER. Ranger approved fire ring. Stream on the side of camp. Flat. Great seating from fallen trees cut into seats. We didn't want to ever leave it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0CeruYtJgg/ThTH_U7VBOI/AAAAAAAAADw/pgvz-sFPBnU/s1600/SANY0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M0CeruYtJgg/ThTH_U7VBOI/AAAAAAAAADw/pgvz-sFPBnU/s320/SANY0180.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 6 - Half Dome summit. Woke up at 3:30 am. Hiked in the dark. Were on the cables with headlamps when the sun came up. Perfect. Less than a dozen others on the summit that morning. We hit nearly a hundred people heading to Half Dome on the trek back to camp. Having it practically to ourselves was AMAZING. Plan ahead. Don't miss this trip. Tip - bring plastic garden gloves for the cables - the sticky/rough kind. Here Mel is at the top of the cables.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WRxzDwTLJ3I/ThTIGkPmBoI/AAAAAAAAAD0/KF668GXxNII/s1600/SANY0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WRxzDwTLJ3I/ThTIGkPmBoI/AAAAAAAAAD0/KF668GXxNII/s320/SANY0184.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erica and Shawn almost to the top on the cables of Half Dome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdcfDvMK2MQ/ThTJOV0IH2I/AAAAAAAAAD8/e0fko1bcalc/s1600/SANY0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdcfDvMK2MQ/ThTJOV0IH2I/AAAAAAAAAD8/e0fko1bcalc/s320/SANY0187.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it! Dan and Mel's new favorite picture. That is Sentinel Dome in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzwhhvBEiog/ThTJSB_CPdI/AAAAAAAAAEA/Jx94YE4rLqs/s1600/SANY0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JzwhhvBEiog/ThTJSB_CPdI/AAAAAAAAAEA/Jx94YE4rLqs/s320/SANY0190.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cairn built by a Boy Scout Troop at the top of Half Dome. Very impressive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9VYbAGvqpGg/ThTJVdVu3oI/AAAAAAAAAEE/BcX-WQu3qEo/s1600/SANY0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9VYbAGvqpGg/ThTJVdVu3oI/AAAAAAAAAEE/BcX-WQu3qEo/s320/SANY0192.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little REI swag - Dan on top of Half Dome wearing the Tshirt he got for volunteering at National Trail Cleanup Day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J6Jfkq8lFGM/ThTJY8VDQgI/AAAAAAAAAEI/_Tc21z-Lbdc/s1600/SANY0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J6Jfkq8lFGM/ThTJY8VDQgI/AAAAAAAAAEI/_Tc21z-Lbdc/s320/SANY0195.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan getting warm after just being in an REI Tshirt. This was a nice little wind protected area in the rocks on the top of Half Dome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FADkp90GTrg/ThsvdmfmjhI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/W1FODRMpVzI/s1600/IMG_1345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FADkp90GTrg/ThsvdmfmjhI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/W1FODRMpVzI/s320/IMG_1345.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty cool pic of Mel and Dan climbing down the cables of Half Dome courtesy of Shawn and Erika who went down first.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0njbQgepFsY/ThTJdMipflI/AAAAAAAAAEM/S7yGm1IHeT4/s1600/SANY0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0njbQgepFsY/ThTJdMipflI/AAAAAAAAAEM/S7yGm1IHeT4/s320/SANY0197.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We looked and looked and looked. Then we looked some more. We couldn't find the Survey Monument. What gives? So, Dan built this cairn and message for Mel.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IcajwhvOWOA/ThTJlml7bcI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/oq5VZ3EkS1Q/s1600/SANY0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IcajwhvOWOA/ThTJlml7bcI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/oq5VZ3EkS1Q/s320/SANY0210.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 7 - It rained on us last night and since we thought it was going to be clear our rain fly wasn't really ready to go. This is a pic of us trying to dry everything out by the campfire - not a wildnerness gear sale. Tip - walking sticks are great for drying clothes by the fire.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f53B5lZpVv0/ThTJr5E46vI/AAAAAAAAAEU/2ZonwDAhJFI/s1600/SANY0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f53B5lZpVv0/ThTJr5E46vI/AAAAAAAAAEU/2ZonwDAhJFI/s320/SANY0215.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan on Moraine Dome summit with a cairn he built. That is Half Dome in the backgound covered in clouds. No Survey Monument.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTdSTl4v55s/ThTJxJIjviI/AAAAAAAAAEY/NRmMnmx-Mk4/s1600/SANY0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTdSTl4v55s/ThTJxJIjviI/AAAAAAAAAEY/NRmMnmx-Mk4/s320/SANY0219.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that's a big vein of Quartz on Moraine Dome.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8-ERzHNBIwk/ThTJ07WRP7I/AAAAAAAAAEc/fd1EsTkM_aE/s1600/SANY0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8-ERzHNBIwk/ThTJ07WRP7I/AAAAAAAAAEc/fd1EsTkM_aE/s320/SANY0221.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers on Moraine Dome.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Elg9bAO8Y7E/ThTJ68JCCuI/AAAAAAAAAEg/pNfTicJPJ_s/s1600/SANY0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Elg9bAO8Y7E/ThTJ68JCCuI/AAAAAAAAAEg/pNfTicJPJ_s/s320/SANY0223.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers on Moraine Dome.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ntLChltPZO4/ThTKDceQaXI/AAAAAAAAAEk/Uh86QuS0oi0/s1600/SANY0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ntLChltPZO4/ThTKDceQaXI/AAAAAAAAAEk/Uh86QuS0oi0/s320/SANY0250.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two Mule Deer came into our camp every morning and every night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s53L6d0JeMM/ThTKGpYt9xI/AAAAAAAAAEo/Fibe95jtznQ/s1600/SANY0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s53L6d0JeMM/ThTKGpYt9xI/AAAAAAAAAEo/Fibe95jtznQ/s320/SANY0267.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 8 - While looking for the ancient Native American petropgliphs Dan stumbled upon this bear den. Never did find the petrogliphs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GPjKvq6R9yk/ThTKq0DXR4I/AAAAAAAAAEs/bfMfw3thcqE/s1600/SANY0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GPjKvq6R9yk/ThTKq0DXR4I/AAAAAAAAAEs/bfMfw3thcqE/s320/SANY0271.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Gray Squirrel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pySU79wBaS4/ThTK4L6_nFI/AAAAAAAAAE0/hESDuuaU0gk/s1600/SANY0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pySU79wBaS4/ThTK4L6_nFI/AAAAAAAAAE0/hESDuuaU0gk/s320/SANY0260.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erica and Shawn at The Awanee.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KfKQJwAWglU/ThTLneb4MXI/AAAAAAAAAE4/o9Qyh3X_JCk/s1600/SANY0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KfKQJwAWglU/ThTLneb4MXI/AAAAAAAAAE4/o9Qyh3X_JCk/s320/SANY0278.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan with John Muir/Lee Stetson getting a book signed after the performance. This show is a MUST SEE one man performance in Yosemite Village!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nS45QkKUC6U/ThTLrLU1YJI/AAAAAAAAAE8/Rg_QZ2LKUo8/s1600/SANY0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nS45QkKUC6U/ThTLrLU1YJI/AAAAAAAAAE8/Rg_QZ2LKUo8/s320/SANY0287.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 9 - Up again at 4 am. Hike a few miles in the dark with headlamps to Mirror Lake to watch the Sun come up. Take a phenominal picture? Check!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr7A_NtfofI/ThTPxRgfe9I/AAAAAAAAAFE/CnHPMGydOfM/s1600/SANY0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tr7A_NtfofI/ThTPxRgfe9I/AAAAAAAAAFE/CnHPMGydOfM/s320/SANY0289.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found this surprise by Mirror Lake. 1,000+ rock cairns.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5uVIsfMTYt4/ThTQKlD31AI/AAAAAAAAAFI/ZBZMH3bbhTI/s1600/SANY0293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5uVIsfMTYt4/ThTQKlD31AI/AAAAAAAAAFI/ZBZMH3bbhTI/s320/SANY0293.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a great sign.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9vRrBBvcdWI/ThTTg6qYMbI/AAAAAAAAAFM/huajdfnUVw4/s1600/SANY0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9vRrBBvcdWI/ThTTg6qYMbI/AAAAAAAAAFM/huajdfnUVw4/s320/SANY0294.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Ahwiyah Point where the rock falls keep happening. We were actually woken up during the night to a 90 second GIGANTIC rockfall that echoed through the Valley. And it happened the same night as we first heard about rockfalls during the John Muir play. Spooky!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpspIsqACFA/ThTPWNQi8ZI/AAAAAAAAAFA/VgUzTojdCxY/s1600/SANY0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpspIsqACFA/ThTPWNQi8ZI/AAAAAAAAAFA/VgUzTojdCxY/s320/SANY0275.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mel and Dan in front of the Le Conte Memorial which is also the Yosemite headquarters and library for the Sierra Club. This is the 2nd oldest building in Yosemite.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFOirvfSx7Q/ThTcQKjnjpI/AAAAAAAAAFU/dcVYHjfAzD4/s1600/SANY0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFOirvfSx7Q/ThTcQKjnjpI/AAAAAAAAAFU/dcVYHjfAzD4/s320/SANY0296.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 down - 7 to go!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6tjo1B8HYKo/ThTcT5BJxzI/AAAAAAAAAFY/CO1cYBXyjq4/s1600/SANY0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6tjo1B8HYKo/ThTcT5BJxzI/AAAAAAAAAFY/CO1cYBXyjq4/s320/SANY0311.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a baby Pacific Fisher? How freakin' cool is that? Dan found it while tracking deer and bear in the meadows by the Merced River on Day 9.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNjedIlYBkc/ThTcY9TF2wI/AAAAAAAAAFc/PGfpaKQaQYw/s1600/SANY0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNjedIlYBkc/ThTcY9TF2wI/AAAAAAAAAFc/PGfpaKQaQYw/s320/SANY0315.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan and Mel in front of the Yosemite Valley Chapel which is the oldest building in the Yosemite Valley.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wDy72x3HTlw/ThsvRwSjhJI/AAAAAAAAAOM/gtjeZ3XI5DE/s1600/IMG_1407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wDy72x3HTlw/ThsvRwSjhJI/AAAAAAAAAOM/gtjeZ3XI5DE/s320/IMG_1407.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High water mark from floods was at the Chapel back in 1997. These guys are so silly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W871GCeFR68/ThTcj8UndcI/AAAAAAAAAFg/nccXpPaHOkE/s1600/SANY0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W871GCeFR68/ThTcj8UndcI/AAAAAAAAAFg/nccXpPaHOkE/s320/SANY0317.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers by Sentinel Dome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVU33fj5JOw/ThTcnj3EJ4I/AAAAAAAAAFk/DFmN5KzPfiQ/s1600/SANY0320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sVU33fj5JOw/ThTcnj3EJ4I/AAAAAAAAAFk/DFmN5KzPfiQ/s320/SANY0320.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers by Sentinel Dome.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wudExBPa3og/ThTcqnb3sNI/AAAAAAAAAFo/T5WFN5ueiMA/s1600/SANY0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wudExBPa3og/ThTcqnb3sNI/AAAAAAAAAFo/T5WFN5ueiMA/s320/SANY0323.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mel and Dan on the summit of Sentinel Dome on the famous old Jeffrey Pine.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hidednINGA/ThTcuz7w3lI/AAAAAAAAAFs/HaoDyIX088Q/s1600/SANY0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hidednINGA/ThTcuz7w3lI/AAAAAAAAAFs/HaoDyIX088Q/s320/SANY0321.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sentinel Dome Survey Monument.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3I3WGPzZ0A/ThTcyK3-HKI/AAAAAAAAAFw/2qmREOCefiA/s1600/SANY0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3I3WGPzZ0A/ThTcyK3-HKI/AAAAAAAAAFw/2qmREOCefiA/s320/SANY0330.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan and Mel at Glacier Point.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9UkZIR_jv-4/ThTc2KjJKDI/AAAAAAAAAF0/eq-Fd072iDA/s1600/SANY0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9UkZIR_jv-4/ThTc2KjJKDI/AAAAAAAAAF0/eq-Fd072iDA/s320/SANY0328.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Glacier Point Survey Monument.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNlkBQ4tahM/ThTdGPNS8nI/AAAAAAAAAGA/ckgZsl7ZMCQ/s1600/SANY0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mNlkBQ4tahM/ThTdGPNS8nI/AAAAAAAAAGA/ckgZsl7ZMCQ/s320/SANY0341.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The historic Wawona Hotel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1s_lLGjstY/ThTc83SDfZI/AAAAAAAAAF4/gsbXfS8ZYAw/s1600/SANY0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1s_lLGjstY/ThTc83SDfZI/AAAAAAAAAF4/gsbXfS8ZYAw/s320/SANY0339.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers around Wawona.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2PwxIr2an2U/ThTdAiVy9AI/AAAAAAAAAF8/8PaTLTYSnfI/s1600/SANY0340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2PwxIr2an2U/ThTdAiVy9AI/AAAAAAAAAF8/8PaTLTYSnfI/s320/SANY0340.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers around Wawona.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGcqDoJNQjQ/ThTdJ7Z0mwI/AAAAAAAAAGE/zl_1c1NI74I/s1600/SANY0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGcqDoJNQjQ/ThTdJ7Z0mwI/AAAAAAAAAGE/zl_1c1NI74I/s320/SANY0353.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steller Jay in Wawona campground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8fpmZFWpkQ/ThTdN5EzywI/AAAAAAAAAGI/RKmUX2qIHME/s1600/SANY0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8fpmZFWpkQ/ThTdN5EzywI/AAAAAAAAAGI/RKmUX2qIHME/s320/SANY0362.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan on the way home down the historic 395 at the Mammoth Brewing Company.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWmTOouKddY/ThTdYAFKojI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/SzoT-XNLty4/s1600/SANY0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UWmTOouKddY/ThTdYAFKojI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/SzoT-XNLty4/s320/SANY0367.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan and Mel in the Bishop Hot Springs on the way home to soak the muscles. We walked nearly 70 miles on this trip. Everyone but Dan got blisters. Everyone, including Dan, was sore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MeqoWOAWAXI/ThThBFHbBoI/AAAAAAAAAGY/7OUrEdnkwjE/s1600/SANY0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MeqoWOAWAXI/ThThBFHbBoI/AAAAAAAAAGY/7OUrEdnkwjE/s320/SANY0365.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflower at Bishop Hot Springs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last stop on the 395 before hitting the real world again. Manzanar. If you have never been, you should.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>So that's it! That's our trip. We had a blast. Now it's your turn. Get outside. </strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>smithoutdoorsandtravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645798219088168816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5123004409198533750.post-64953875485314120422011-07-06T12:45:00.000-07:002011-07-07T12:58:37.783-07:00Our First Post - Mount San Jacinto, June 2011<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Dad, my feet are frozen,” he said as he descended from the snow covered peak of Mount San Jacinto. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His dad told him to just climb down a little more and get into the shelter to warm up. With the temperature in the 40’s and the winds gusting up to 60 miles per hour he said, “OK, but now I can’t feel my feet, dad” as he slipped and slid down the snow and ice covered slope. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Five minutes later he was inside the Mount San Jacinto Emergency Shelter, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s, which sits 500 feet below the 10,804 foot summit. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Tennyson, take off your shoes and socks,” said his dad. “Lay down on one of the bunks and get in a sleeping bag to warm up.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He did as he was told, and was soon thawed out inside one of the sleeping bags that stock the mountain top structure intended for stranded or injured hikers. He had been hiking the mountain for three days now and had finally completed the mission.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“You did it Tenny,” said his dad. “You just climbed the eleventh highest peak in California.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now let’s back up a few days to the beginning of the journey.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s Friday, May 27 when they head out from Humber Park in the small mountain town of Idyllwild and start up the trailhead and the dreaded Devils Slide. They plan to spend four days and three nights on the mountain with the ultimate goal of summiting Mount San Jacinto.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The thing that made this trip interesting was the youngest climber of the party, six year old Tennyson Smith. A first grader in Laguna Hills at Valencia Elementary, he wanted to be the youngest person to summit the highest peak in Riverside County, where he was born.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His dad, Dan Smith, had researched the climb and learned something interesting; many kids younger than six years old had reached the peak before, but they all seemed to have taken the Palm Springs Arial Tramway up to 8,400 feet to accomplish the task. Smith couldn’t find any details of a child under seven years old making the trip from the actual bottom of the trail in Idyllwild at 6,400 feet and backpacking the trip overnight.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tennyson and his dad were accompanied on the trip by four other family friends. Tennyson’s small pack was full to capacity and weighed 13 pounds with his sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothes, dishes and hydration bladder as they started their assent. The 13 pounds was a bit more than 25% of his body weight, comparable to his dad who was carrying 40 pounds on his 160 pound frame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday, day one of the trip was a little over nine miles in the San Jacinto National Forest. The group took a long lunch break at Saddle Junction before heading down the Caramba Trail to see the waterfalls and then on to Laws Camp to pitch their tents for the night.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saturday started out with spotting a few deer in camp during breakfast. “That was really cool that they were so close,” said Tennyson.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a few miles on the trail the group left National Forest land and entered the Mount San Jacinto State Park. They walked thru the Hidden Divide Natural Preserve and then on to the Tramway Station where they had lunch. “It was way better than dad’s camping food,” said Tennyson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We don’t usually get to have restaurant food in the woods.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the brief stop in civilization the group started hiking again for their final destination of the day and staging area for the summit, Tamarack Valley. Instead of taking the longer and more established route to get there through Round Valley, they took the little known Sid Davis Trail. It shaved about two miles of hiking by going straight up and over a ridge instead of the long way around. Although faster, the route took a toll on every member of the team except Tennyson, who led the ascent on that portion of the day’s hikes, which ended up totaling a little over six miles. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I wasn’t tired, dad,” he said. “Climbing straight up was a lot more fun than the boring hiking on switchbacks.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In camp that evening the winds started to pick up and by dark were gusting up to 40 miles per hour. The winds kept up all night long and nobody got much sleep. The first night Tennyson had wanted to be independent and had slept in his own two man tent with one of the family friends along on the trip who was a teenage boy. But, when the winds picked up he wanted no part of independence and headed straight for his dad’s very light and very small two man tent and crammed his way in. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">His rational was simple. “Three people breathing in a two man tent will keep us warmer,” he said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When dawn finally came on Sunday, the group packed up their day packs and hit the trail for the summit. Along the way they had to navigate thru snow and ice when the trail was completely covered. A little over four hours later they had climbed nearly four miles and were nearing their goal. The snow that high up was still deep and Tennyson stepped in snow up to his waist more than once.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the peak, the wind was strong enough to blow a person off the rocks if they didn’t stay focused on their balance. It was also making the summit that much more cold and unfriendly. Exhausted and cold, everyone posed for pictures as quickly as possible before racing back to the shelter.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I did it dad,” he said, curled up in the sleeping bag in the shelter and eating a Granola bar. “Am I the youngest ever?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I think so,” he dad responded. “But even if it turns out you’re not, you should be proud of what you just did.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tennyson, also a Cub Scout, was working on completing his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Leave No Trace</i> outdoors badge so before leaving the peak the group packed up trash and debris that had been left in the shelter to help leave it cleaner than they found it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“It made it a lot nicer inside,” said Tennyson. “Why do people leave their trash?” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the trip back to camp, which was much easier and much faster thanks to less wind, less altitude and warmer temperatures, the group logged another eight miles into their journal. The temperature dropped into the 20’s that night, but the winds had vanished and sleep came easier for everyone. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tennyson stuck by his theory of breathing warmth and curled up in dad’s tent again for the last night of the trip. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Monday, Memorial Day, Mother Nature started to cooperate again and provided a crystal clear morning with no winds and rising temperatures. After a quick breakfast, the team started to make their way down the mountain, nine long miles back to Humber Park and their cars. The total mileage for the trip was just over 32 miles in four days.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I think it’s quite an accomplishment for him,” said his dad. “That’s a long way for a little guy. It was a long way for the rest of us. I wasn’t sure he’d be able to do it. But he’s a grinder. He just puts his head down and goes. He’s so tough. I’m so proud of him.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the hike back to the cars, Tennyson started making plans for the next trip.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What are we going to climb next, dad,” he asked. “And I think I need some better shoes and socks so my feet won’t get cold next time.”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVmPMiRqYvE/ThS2zeajYzI/AAAAAAAAAA8/4-ZuOw7oAL4/s1600/SANY0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dVmPMiRqYvE/ThS2zeajYzI/AAAAAAAAAA8/4-ZuOw7oAL4/s320/SANY0028.JPG" width="320px" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tennyson. See the deer in the background?</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MC1kV8krvg/ThS25lFWV8I/AAAAAAAAABA/LdlkshDuUhg/s1600/SANY0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MC1kV8krvg/ThS25lFWV8I/AAAAAAAAABA/LdlkshDuUhg/s320/SANY0047.JPG" width="320px" /></a>Basecamp in Tamarack Valley.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eAl19P6NtAk/ThS2-yQDHdI/AAAAAAAAABE/8-C-ptGE3Y0/s1600/SANY0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eAl19P6NtAk/ThS2-yQDHdI/AAAAAAAAABE/8-C-ptGE3Y0/s320/SANY0063.JPG" width="320px" /></a>Tennyson, Dan and Mel at the summit of Mount San Jacinto, Riverside County's tallest peak and the 11th tallest in California. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qc23MAG-jCI/ThS3FZTqHHI/AAAAAAAAABI/pfVK59K5-4g/s1600/SANY0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qc23MAG-jCI/ThS3FZTqHHI/AAAAAAAAABI/pfVK59K5-4g/s320/SANY0073.JPG" width="320px" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dan and Mel in front of the Mount San Jacinto Emergency Shelter, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pFTf3NZ7i80/ThS3KGUcoKI/AAAAAAAAABM/icRr5Fe5Xe8/s1600/SANY0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pFTf3NZ7i80/ThS3KGUcoKI/AAAAAAAAABM/icRr5Fe5Xe8/s320/SANY0071.JPG" width="320px" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tennyson warming up in the Mount San Jacinto Emergency Shelter.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_27dQugdBDs/ThS3Zem--lI/AAAAAAAAABQ/BhvZQvPCCZc/s1600/SANY0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_27dQugdBDs/ThS3Zem--lI/AAAAAAAAABQ/BhvZQvPCCZc/s320/SANY0040.JPG" width="320px" /></a>Cameron, Shawn, Erica, Melody, Dan and Tennyson after hiking in for lunch at the Palm Springs Arial Tramway.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaAybsKdk8Q/ThS4itcyuoI/AAAAAAAAABk/Y3G_4iOWQZ4/s1600/SANY0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" m$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaAybsKdk8Q/ThS4itcyuoI/AAAAAAAAABk/Y3G_4iOWQZ4/s320/SANY0056.JPG" width="240px" /></a>Tennyson working his way up the last few hundred feet through the snow to reach the summit of Mount San Jacinto.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sm9IDbW828U/ThS4JMuzBRI/AAAAAAAAABY/e8UoOG5mv_U/s1600/SANY0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sm9IDbW828U/ThS4JMuzBRI/AAAAAAAAABY/e8UoOG5mv_U/s320/SANY0001.JPG" width="320px" /></a>Tennyson getting ready to start the trip at the Devil's Slide Trailhead.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EMfTFB1fGbQ/ThS4MqDkDQI/AAAAAAAAABc/XLNWMKPDe3M/s1600/SANY0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EMfTFB1fGbQ/ThS4MqDkDQI/AAAAAAAAABc/XLNWMKPDe3M/s320/SANY0074.JPG" width="320px" /></a>Tennyson decided to mark the trail along the way by making a rock cairn.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx80UDyI8OE/ThS4Q8SXTTI/AAAAAAAAABg/kTOsIfK3s5I/s1600/SANY0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" m$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx80UDyI8OE/ThS4Q8SXTTI/AAAAAAAAABg/kTOsIfK3s5I/s320/SANY0065.JPG" width="320px" /></a>The survey monument at the top of Mount San Jacinto.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong><u><em>STATS</em></u></strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Adventurers: Dan, Melody, Tennyson, Shawn, Erica, Cameron</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When: May and June 2011</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Location: Mount San Jacinto Wilderness</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Duration: 4 Days, 3 Nights</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stay: Backpacking</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mileage: 32 miles on foot, 90 minute drive each way</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Highlights: Summiting Mount San Jacinto, Lunch at Palm Springs Arial Tramway</div>smithoutdoorsandtravelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00645798219088168816noreply@blogger.com0