Our last few days in Yosemite will be as memorable as the rest of the month. We enjoyed some farewell BBQs, the Yosemite Face Lift party, and some great rock climbs that were still on our to-do-list.
Yosemite is a unique climbing destination. It hosts classic lines that were established in the 60’s and requires a determined, adventurous spirit to hike and find your way to the base of the route and to climb multiple pitches, often at your limit. Our favourite long classic lines in Yosemite include Central Pillar of Frenzy, Moratorium to the East Buttress of El Capitan, Northeast Buttress of Higher Cathedral Rock, Serenity to Sons of Yesterday, and the Rostrum. On most climbs we alternated the lead, unless it was a scary off-width pitch (Dave’s lead), and we made all summits in the daylight with time to spare for the descent. Most of our long routes were 8-13 pitches long, with a 1-2 hour approach and descent. Most climbs required an early 5am start. At the end of a hard day’s work a beer and a gourmet camp stove meal was a great reward as well as sharing stories with buddies at Camp 4.
Yosemite’s single pitch climbs were also a highlight: Outer Limits, Catchy and Catchy Corner at The Cookie, Bookem’ Danno at Pat & Jack’s Pinnacle, Lunatic Fringe at Reed’s Pinnacle, Moby Dick and others at the base of El Cap. There is more rock climbing for us in Yosemite and we’ll be back in May to climb Half Dome’s Regular Route when the days are longer and hopefully the line-ups are smaller.
Farewell Yosemite...we'll be back in the Spring!
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