yosemite national park

Best Places to Stay at Yosemite National Park

Best Places to Stay Near Yosemite Valley

Getting a campsite in Yosemite should be an Olympic sport these days. Reservations fill up faster than you can click the “Book” button. Not quick enough to score campsite reservations for Yosemite National Park? These spots are the best places to stay near Yosemite National Park.

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Backpacking Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park

Backpacking Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park

I’m not really a winter person. I like climbing more than anything. Cold, sunny days in the desert, fingers and toes frozen on the rock are my preferred winter thing. I can’t, however, turn down a good backpacking trip. With a sunny weather window this past weekend, it was the perfect opportunity to go backpacking in Mariposa Grove.

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A Weekend of Trad Leads

Tuolumne Meadows Dozier Dome Climbing

The first time I ever led trad was about a year ago. I got a crash course in placing nuts right before. My friend mumbled some stuff to me, patted me on the back, and headed up the pitch with another friend. I would meet them up there. I nervously adjusted the sling containing the alpine draws and nuts. I thumbed through all the cams and started to climb. My first piece was a nut, right off the deck. My second piece was another nut, perfectly slotted into a constriction right before a lieback. I didn’t trust it. I don’t know why. I was afraid of kicking it out. I froze. And then I lowered off it, too unsure of myself and my abilities to continue. The pitch was a 5.4 on low angle slab.

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