One of my favorite places on this earth is Yosemite. I have been going to Yosemite since I was a young girl. I have memories of camping with family and friends. I absolutely love riding bikes in Yosemite. I have always had a desire to hike Half dome, but I have had a mixture of excitement and fear about it. For along time I wasn't sure if I could physically do the hike and then I was nervous about the last part of the hike(the cables).
Reed and I have been talking about doing this hike for the past year or so. There never seemed to be a good time to take it on. I casually mentioned it to Reed last week and he discovered that he wasn't working on Monday. We decided to go for it with out to much planning. Yikes!
I called my running buddy Charisse and invited she and her husband Dwayne to go and then I invited my two great friends Jen and her mom D'Nae. We jumped in the car and at the unearthly hour of 3:40a.m. and headed for the hills
This is the group looking fresh before we started this amazing hike! The hike to half dome is about 17 miles, with the added mile to and from the parking lot. I loved the whole day. Everything was so beautiful and green. The falls were amazing! It is definitely a happy day to be in the mountains.
This is a shot of the cables. I have to say that the picture does not do it justice. I have seen these pictures for years and I have always thought I think I can do that. It was very steep heading up. I only had one little panic feeling but then Reed was right by me and I felt safe. I didn't look around I just kept my eyes looking forward.
We made it to the top and it was so wonderful. I truly felt like I was on top of the world. We had planned to have lunch at the top. But, as soon as we got there we took a few pictures and it started to rain.
Reed started getting a little nervous and encouraged us to start down. So, we didn't really stop to enjoy the top of the world for very long. We started down the cables and realized pretty fast that everything was really slick from the rain and the hail that started a few minutes later. I have to say that I have never been so terrified in my life. I would take a step and start slipping. You have to realize that every year someone falls or slips from these cables and falls to their death. I had a real panic attach at one point I was so scared that I really could not go forward.
Reed held my hands and told me to pray. I prayed and shortly after that three men started climbing up the cables on the outside(crazy). They stopped and took my hands and made steps with their feet and helped me to the next wood strip. It took me a while to even take their hands. I realized later that Heavenly Father had truly sent angels to help me down. One of the angels was my sweet, patient husband. He talked calmly and helped me to calm down. This is a shot someone took when we were almost to the bottom. It doesn't look like I'm scared. I actually look like I am having fun!
This is the top of the cables looking down. Charisse was going down in front of Reed and when she hit the bottom, she shouted out, "I AM NEVER DOING THAT AGAIN IN MY LIFE'. The funny thing is later that day when we met up with Duane(who was dizzy with altitude sickness). She told him she would do it with him again if he wanted to try another day. I think this was a little like child birth, we forget the pain when it is all over.
While I was struggling down the rock. These two men(Ross and Eric were right behind me) They were talking to me so kindly and encouragingly. At one point I told them to go ahead and Eric(the man with the beard) said, "I am as scared as you are." At the bottom of the hill, he said he had to get his picture taken with me. Pretty funny.
Here is a picture of the group just a short ways away from the rock. We were all so happy and excited that we had accomplished the climbing of half dome. Charisse said she could check it off her bucket list.
I was talking to my mom the next day and she couldn't understand why I wanted to do this. I'm not sure, but I love the feeling of doing something difficult. There is something empowering about it. I realize that I am strong and that I can do hard things
Jen made a great post on this same trip. She added a lot of fun details if you want more. You can click on her blog to the right.
This was my ninth year attending Girls Camp. One of those years I only came up for one day, but it has still been a girls camp journey. I love all the craziness, sleepless nights, the girl drama, and of course the amazing spirit. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I guess since I am a girl mom I will be attending for many years to come.
This is Jen, Stephanie and I in our crazy tie die shirts. We always have so much fun! I think one of the best parts of my calling is working with these fun friends. I definetly get my laugh bucket filled.
We stay at a camp ground called Jack*** Rock! I prefer to call it the ROCK. We all have a hard time understanding why the county would name a youth camp such a name.
Heather was a senior this year and helped to run the camp. She was in charge of music. She was the one up front leading all the fun camp songs. She did such a great job.
This is Lauren and some of her friends at the opening ceremony. The Theme this year was "More Precious Than Rubies! Each group had a name using a stone. Their group was The Awesome Aquas. They had fun dressing in the Aqua Color.
Lauren and crew hangin in front of my cabin.
This is Lauren and her friend Jamie Repelling. After my half Dome experience I took a pass on this activity. I had fun taking pictures.
Lauren and her friends all painted up for the all camp activity. This was another great year at girls camp. I can't wait for Kylie to be able to attend in two years.
