Climbing in Yosemite

Yes! This is what we came here for! Nice long world class climbing on golden granite! 

We actually had a bit of a noisy awakening this morning, as bizarrely, camp rules dictate that RVs and caravans can turn their generators on between 7 and 9 am!? So not exactly the tranquil start you'd expect in such a valley. It was pretty cold too (5 degrees) as the sun took a while to get over the cliffs and down to the valley floor.

We started off our Yosemite climbing induction at a cliff called 'Five Open Books', which was only a few minutes walk from Yosemite falls.

The park is celebrating 125 years this year and as we walked to the cliffs we had to pass by a temporary stage where lots of rangers and a small crowd were gathering. We're not sure exactly what was going on, but as I set off up the first pitch of my first Yosemite climb, I was serenaded by a girl singing the national anthem over the PA system that echoed right down the valley! A crazy but cool start! (Although I suspect that John Muir would be turning in his grave with all the noise pollution I such a wilderness area!).

Even from the top of the first pitch, the views from the belay were super impressive! And so much better than from the ground!

Up we went, with pitch after pitch of great climbing and on great rock. In the UK climbing guidebooks, good climbs are given either 1,2 or even 3 'stars' to denote their quality. Today's route was given 4 stars in our guidebook!

By midday, we had reached the top of the cliff and enjoyed checking out the views before descending by foot.

A short drive took us to the base of El Cap, where we cooked up egg butties in the sun for lunch. 

As we were having lunch and flicking through the guidebook, we discovered that we were at the parking spot for another climb that we had earmarked (also 4 stars!). We decided that we should have enough time, so after a good rest, set off up. The route (called After Six - 5.7) was six pitches long and 600ft high. 

One of the best things about climbing here is that much of the rock is virtual roadside, so we geared up at the van, and walked over to start climbing. The first pitch was a bit harder than the mornings climb, but after that it eased off. At the top of the second pitch, the wind really picked up and some clouds started to roll into the valley.

Given the time and not wanting to get caught out in the dark, (or in a storm!) we opted to take the 'escape route' from below the fifth pitch which led to the descent path. As it turned out, we would have been fine to carry on, but better safe than sorry - especially on our first day! Got back to camp just before dark for celebratory muffins then dinner. Great day! 

This is Clare leading the fourth pitch, After Six (5.7)