Yosemite 2022

[Greg]

That's bad news. But not unexpected. Let's get healthy and do that hike next year or maybe in the fall?

[Drunk Monk]

Maybe the second one. Got a little more time to recover. I'm hopeful. 

Right now, I'm still trying to accept losing this trip. The chain of events that led me here seems so random. One day, I'm okay. Then the next, I'm suffering from intolerable chronic pain.

[Drunk Monk]

Are you out for sure too or might you rally your knee? 

Are you serious about attempting the next trip if you drop out of this one?

[Greg]

The knee is not my friend. I did go out for a 3 mile walk this morning. I was sort of kind of fine on the pavement. I had some discomfort but I could manage it. However on the dirt path behind the house down into the swale, the knee was more unhappy. And it was tiny path compared to the paths of Yosemite. So, I fear. And I hate to say it, I really hate to say it, I won't be going on the trip. The Queen was overjoyed when I came to that decision last night. Did I mention I really want to hike that specific trail? It feels like my white whale at the moment. The Queen has seen me around the house and can't fathom why I would even attempt the hike in this condition. Yes, there is still a part of me that wants to try it, to man up and go.

Even if I were healthy(healthier?), I wouldn't go without you. First I wouldn't be able to keep up with Stacy and the Younglings. And part of the fun of the trip is being with my bear brother. So, it's a double whammy. Granted, if anyone asks, I'm bowing because DM isn't going, not because I'm unfit.

As for the later trip, that one seems like a lot of work. It would be spectacular scenery but all the bus transfers and hotel stays in Mammoth seem like a drag. But again, part of me wants to go but at this point my knee says no. (Still time to change my mind)

What I was actively considering was doing the Pate Valley hike in the fall if I could get a wilderness permit. More crazy talk, I know.

[King Bob]

If there's one thing DM isn't, it's a bear. Not nearly hairy enough.

[Drunk Monk]

Not nearly hairy enough.

Nor bonele... oh never mind.

Yeah, the thought of being left behind by my wife, my kid and her young friend was a factor. Struggling alone and in pain down the trail sounds miserable, and misery loves company. 

I feel ya on the white whale. This is my second fail at this trail. We went when Tara was in elementary school, and one of her school friends came along, but we got caught in a torrential downpour a day out of Glen Ellen, and given how slippery wet granite can be, we spent the day under a rock. After losing that day, we'd have to double time it to get out, so we turned around. Sometimes it goes that way. 

We didn't get as far as Waterwheel falls. I think there are some falls before that too. We probably turned around just ahead of that. 

I'm pretty bummed about it all. I'm still thinking I can make SDCC as long as I have enough pain meds. OSL too. Both involve a lot of walking but I won't have a pack, nor will I be miles from rescuers should something really go afoul.

[Greg]

Much as I admire YOSAR, I do not want to meet YOSAR.

[Drunk Monk]

Truth


I’m joyful and jealous that my family will get to experience waterwheel…

[Greg]

Will it just be the ladies or will Alex be on this trip as well?

[Drunk Monk]

Alex is all in.

[Greg]

It looks like Yosemite will be full of smoke for the next week.

[Drunk Monk]

Yeah, once again, the grand canyon of the tuolomne defeats us all. 

their trip has been changed to an area near north tahoe that stacy discovered on a yoga retreat that picks up the PCT. that's that plan as of now.

stupid fire.

[Greg]

Wait! They aren't going into the park? Sad trombone.

[Drunk Monk]

Air quality at Tuolumne & White Wolf are in the 100-200 range. Not much point in going there. Stacy can’t stand smoke and Alex has asthma.

[Greg]

Good call, then. But too bad.