Yosemite - Climber's narrative

The rock climber provide one narrative for Yosemite National Park.  Those adventurers reside there always searching for the next great climb.  The Park has put up them from the beginning, they take risks and don't follow rules.  But now, their stories become part of the park's lore past and present.  They use each other; I'll be talking a bit more about their impact on park's vistors.

The tour buses do stop near some of the huge granite monoliths and see who they can spot way up there.  It's a hobby.

The first picture shows Camp 4.  The 'walk-in' campground.  It's the climber's campground $5/night.  I'm sure I stayed there when I went to Yosemite 40 years ago.  At that time, it was free and behind the gas station (mercifully gone).  The park administration knew that the climbers were just going to camp in the back country so they figured they may as well give them a place to camp.

The story I hear was that the Park was going to build something there; the climber's organized and made it a historic site. 

Sure enough from the Yosemite site.

Camp 4 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of its nationally significant role in the development of rock climbing as a sport.

It's walk in only.  And, when I was there, it was immaculate.  Part of the culture, I'm sure.  Nothing left around.

Nothing else in Yosemite is cheap.  At Housekeeping Camp there are partial enclosures with an open area with shelves and a place to cook.  Maybe some electricity and bunk beds.  Cost $104/night.  I kid you not.

The shuttle buses were still running while we were there.  Dennis wanted to park the car and never move it for the three nights we were there (we stayed at the Lodge).  We accomplished that.  One bus ran to the El. Capitan (ElCap in Yosemite talk) picnic area.  I thought we would buy some sandwiches and go out there.  But it wasn't much to look at.  The bus driver suggested the next stop which was 'the bridge'.  He seemed to think I knew what that was, which I didn't.  He said there were climbers there who gave information.  We went to the bridge.  One young man hung out there with some buddies as well as some telescopes so you could watch climbers up on top of ElCap.  He had a dog and pony show talking about climbing, the equipment, the way of life, the difficulty, etc.  In the picture, he's giving a mock interview of two young men who have recently returned from a successful climb of ElCap.  A huge accomplishment.  It takes days and large amounts of equipment including ropes and who knows what.  You have to sleep on the side of the mountain.  These two look pretty pleased with themselves.  Other climbers in the background.