So George, how many times have you scaled El Capitan?

Tuesday

Probably our most adventurous day. Magnicent 9 mile hike from the top of Glacier Point down to Yosemite Valley.

The day started out well with George up around 5 am after yet another sleepless night. He left the tent after waking me up to tell me that he wanted " to stand in a line." By that, I think he meant the breakfast line, which opened 1.5 hours later, so I went back to sleep.

We took a bus to Glacier Point arriving around 10. Various other hikers, some in their 80's, got off too. George wanted to get off to a fast start so we could be the first down. After less than a mile, our speed hiking reduced to a shuffle, everyone had passed us so we could slow down even more.

As I said, the trail was magnificent with many views from many different angles of half dome. Many pictures of the most renowned mountain in
America, probably too many, prompting George to remark: "It's just a _____ rock." This prompted a further discission of various antiqities. For example, George on the Parthenon:"It's just someone's house that fell down."

As we struggled toward Nevada Falls, having long lost the race with our elderly friends, our conversation became less interesting. "So when the [northeastern women's] soccer team goes to DC to play how do they get there?" I asked. "By plane." "How about Pennsylvania?" George: "It depends. When we go to Philadelphia, we take the bus." Pause. "When we go to Penn State, we take the bus.". I guess you have to know George to fully appreciate this colloquy.

Nevada falls was spectacular. Water spilling down a 200 foot wall into a river below. The hike was well worth it. We were in relative isolation before the falls but were now standing in a line the rest of the way down. That's the weird thing about Yosemite. If you go on a moderately difficult hike, you are totally alone but if you stay in the valley, you are surrounded by mobs and hearded around cafeteria lines like cattle. In the bus ride after our hike there were two young men sitting next to us, one in a ski mask and both drinking an open bottle of vodka. Don't come to yosemite unless you plan to get out on the trail, or climb El Capitain, which leads me to another bus incident.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-Eric
----------


Its Wednesday morning. Hanging out a bit. Someone hacked into the wifi router last night and changed the settings. Now no one has access. In Yosemite, dozens of people milling about, disconnected, not knowing what to do with themselves. Only in America.

An incredible hike yesterday. I'll let Eric provide the details. 3,500 feet vertical drop and we are paying the price this morning. Just took bodily inventory. My back, hips, knees, shins and calves are shot. Other than that, I'm feeling great.

Thank you Margot for my hiking poles. Best Christmas gift ever. I would never have made it down without them. Thank you, thank you!

Thanks to a great tip from Tom B., we made dinner reservations at the Ahwahnee Lodge for last night. Unfortunately when we got there they informed us of the dress code; collared shirt and long pants. I was wearing a collared shirt and shorts. Eric was wearing a t-shirt and long pants. We could have combined clothes to allow one of to get in. Opted not to... Too bad. It looked like a place fit for kings. We ate in the bar instead. Not a bad fall back.

On the bus over to the Ahwahnee, a drop dead gorgeous woman came on board and sat down in the seat in front if us. Eric looked at me, I looked at him. and the following conversation ensued;
Eric; So George, how many times have you scaled El Capitan?
George; Oh, maybe 13.
E; Very impressive. Did you use ropes?
G; Nope. They just get in the way.
E; Amazing. How can you do that?
G; Comes naturally, I guess.
E; Didn't you also hike Mt. Evrest?
G; Yeah.
E; When?
G; Last year.
E; Who did you team with and how many sherpas were there?
G; I did it alone, alpine style.
E; what? Your kidding!
G; No, I prefer solitude during these kind of things.
E; You know, only a couple of people have ever done that.
G; I guess so.
E; Wow. Say, do you still have that mansion in the Hamptons?
G; Nah, that old thing. I'm rarely in New York these days. I let the caretakers use it.
E; How about the big polo matches. Do you get back for those?
G; Once in awhile, if the top competition shows up.
About then the bus comes to a stop. She gets up to leave. Gives a subtle glance back. I nod. Encounter over.

Our return trip begins today. 200 miles to San Fran. Maybe we'll get half way.
Later...
-George


- Posted from George's AT&T
iPhone