Sunday, July 19th: To Tuolumne!

We made our way towards Tuolumne Meadows, planning originally to climb West Crack, a 5-pitch climb on Daff Dome.  We stopped for coffee at the small “Tuolumne Meadows Grill,” and checked the posted weather report.  The sky was already showing signs of rain to come, large puffy clouds and flat grey clouds in the distance.  The posted weather confirmed our thoughts, so we knixed West Cracks, and decided to find something small and with a shorter approach.  We settled on Northwest Books, a 2-pitch, 5.6 climb on Lembert Dome.  The dome was right next to the parking/picnic area… perfect! 

Clouds moved in while we climbed.

After some wondering the wrong way, we found the start… and a guide with a group of three just making their way up the 3rd class scramble to the start.  As we geared up, Dave realized he was missing an important piece of gear… his harness!  Back to the car he ran to retrieve it.  By the time he returned, the group was making their way up the first pitch.  We sure hoped we could easily pass them at the belay, because they were moving very slow.    As the second to last climber started the pitch, we made our way up the scramble to the start.  As we talked with the last climber, we found out he was originally from Pennsylvania.  Even better, he was born in Reading!  Crazy how often we run into people from near home!




The guide yelled down to us, asking if we wanted to pass his group.  Perfect!  Dave gave the last climber some space before starting his way up the pitch, setting up a belay on another ledge near the guided group.  Alex followed quickly, and before long they found themselves at the top of the climb, with a short scramble to the summit.    We were both over joyous that we were climbing and not baking in the sun!  We pulled apples out of our daypacks to eat as we made our way down the walk-off. 






We made our way towards the visitor center, with a stop the Tuolumne Lodge to score some showers.  As we made our way towards the visitors’ center, we noticed that the Tuolumne Meadows campground had spaces available.  After some quick calculations, we realized it would be cheaper to camp for $26 than to pay gas to drive back and forth from our previous camping spot.  After investigation, we found that Porcupine Flat campground just down the road was only $12 a night.  It was cheaper since it did not have running water… but neither did the spot we had been staying.   Our minds were set… this is where we were going to stay!  Tuolumne Meadows is awesome!  It wasn’t hot, there wasn’t traffic, there were plenty of people around, but most were more of the outdoorsy type (backpackers, climbers, fishermen) than what filled The Valley at this time of year.  It was 68 degrees at noon instead of 98!  We started planning a backpacking/climbing trip for when Doug arrives.  We were happy, smiling, talkative, and rejuvenated, despite the now falling rain.  We didn’t realize how grumbly the heat and crowds in The Valley was until now!  This seemed like the best day ever! 


Once we picked out a campground spot, Dave walked up to the payment box, while Alex waited with the car, and unloaded their food crates into the bear box.  Soon Alex heard Dave yell, “Alex! Come here!  Quick!”  She knew from his tone he found something exciting.  She turned to see him walking with 8 gallons of water, and a young boy down the road behind him with box of fire wood and a propane tank.   Alex relieved the boy of his heavy load and they both thanked him.  Turns out his family packed up camp and had lots of extra water, and some firewood.  His mom offered the stuff to Dave, and he graciously accepted.  We spent the remainder of the evening reading and looking at maps and guidebooks, as we lounged in the refreshingly cool air in our quiet little campsite.


Marmots are such creepers!
Alex and Dave's Western Extravaganza: Sunday, July 19th: To Tuolumne!

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Sunday, July 19th: To Tuolumne!

We made our way towards Tuolumne Meadows, planning originally to climb West Crack, a 5-pitch climb on Daff Dome.  We stopped for coffee at the small “Tuolumne Meadows Grill,” and checked the posted weather report.  The sky was already showing signs of rain to come, large puffy clouds and flat grey clouds in the distance.  The posted weather confirmed our thoughts, so we knixed West Cracks, and decided to find something small and with a shorter approach.  We settled on Northwest Books, a 2-pitch, 5.6 climb on Lembert Dome.  The dome was right next to the parking/picnic area… perfect! 

Clouds moved in while we climbed.

After some wondering the wrong way, we found the start… and a guide with a group of three just making their way up the 3rd class scramble to the start.  As we geared up, Dave realized he was missing an important piece of gear… his harness!  Back to the car he ran to retrieve it.  By the time he returned, the group was making their way up the first pitch.  We sure hoped we could easily pass them at the belay, because they were moving very slow.    As the second to last climber started the pitch, we made our way up the scramble to the start.  As we talked with the last climber, we found out he was originally from Pennsylvania.  Even better, he was born in Reading!  Crazy how often we run into people from near home!




The guide yelled down to us, asking if we wanted to pass his group.  Perfect!  Dave gave the last climber some space before starting his way up the pitch, setting up a belay on another ledge near the guided group.  Alex followed quickly, and before long they found themselves at the top of the climb, with a short scramble to the summit.    We were both over joyous that we were climbing and not baking in the sun!  We pulled apples out of our daypacks to eat as we made our way down the walk-off. 






We made our way towards the visitor center, with a stop the Tuolumne Lodge to score some showers.  As we made our way towards the visitors’ center, we noticed that the Tuolumne Meadows campground had spaces available.  After some quick calculations, we realized it would be cheaper to camp for $26 than to pay gas to drive back and forth from our previous camping spot.  After investigation, we found that Porcupine Flat campground just down the road was only $12 a night.  It was cheaper since it did not have running water… but neither did the spot we had been staying.   Our minds were set… this is where we were going to stay!  Tuolumne Meadows is awesome!  It wasn’t hot, there wasn’t traffic, there were plenty of people around, but most were more of the outdoorsy type (backpackers, climbers, fishermen) than what filled The Valley at this time of year.  It was 68 degrees at noon instead of 98!  We started planning a backpacking/climbing trip for when Doug arrives.  We were happy, smiling, talkative, and rejuvenated, despite the now falling rain.  We didn’t realize how grumbly the heat and crowds in The Valley was until now!  This seemed like the best day ever! 


Once we picked out a campground spot, Dave walked up to the payment box, while Alex waited with the car, and unloaded their food crates into the bear box.  Soon Alex heard Dave yell, “Alex! Come here!  Quick!”  She knew from his tone he found something exciting.  She turned to see him walking with 8 gallons of water, and a young boy down the road behind him with box of fire wood and a propane tank.   Alex relieved the boy of his heavy load and they both thanked him.  Turns out his family packed up camp and had lots of extra water, and some firewood.  His mom offered the stuff to Dave, and he graciously accepted.  We spent the remainder of the evening reading and looking at maps and guidebooks, as we lounged in the refreshingly cool air in our quiet little campsite.


Marmots are such creepers!

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