by Rick Deutsch, Mr. Half Dome | Yosemite’s Half Dome is not only the signature landmark of the park, it appears on the 2005 US Quarter representing California to the world. It is one of the most popular day hikes in the country and is both a goal and a journey for fit visitors. The 12-hour marathon hike is completed by over 50,000 people a year. The peak stands 8,842 feet above sea level and was first climbed in 1875 by use of a knotted rope erected by Scottish immigrant George … [Read more...]
Hiking Half Dome: A Noble Goal
Written by Rick Deutsch | Goals are what drive human existence. Without them we are adrift on a sea of mediocrity. For the outdoor adventurer, the hike to the top of Yosemite’s 8,842 foot icon, Half Dome is a worthy goal. It is hard – real hard. But with education, commitment and training, almost anyone can accomplish this goal. From Yosemite Valley, the hike is 16 miles round trip. However, the ~1 mile elevation gain turns this into a 10-12 hour extremely strenuous venture. This … [Read more...]
The Wellspring Within
I can’t seem to get enough of the good living abounding all around and reminding me of our great fortune in inhabiting such a delicious slice of earth and sky. July brings a reminder of our independence and freedom and the easy climes and circumstances that grace the summer months. I walk in gratitude for the opportunity to experience the wilderness of our country, which for me is one of the most brilliant hallmarks of our country. Contact with wilderness in its true essence is becoming a … [Read more...]
