2008 Camp Swank

innerSpaceman · 03-06-2008, 11:00 AM

Well, it's not exactly like that, N.A.

Here's how it works.

The people who want to participate in the Yosemite Valley Adventure add-on drive up to Yosemite (very) early on Wednesday, June 4. (This may or may not be the same day that early arrivers plan to arrive in Kings Canyon ... most likely that will rather be Thursday, the 5th)

Wednesday will be a day of generally exploring the Valley, a visit to Bridalveil Fall, where Gemini Cricket helped save the a young life of a foolhardy boy (and then went no further in the Valley) ... then some rock-scrambling to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall (much safer than the scrambling at Bridalveil) and, lastly ... purely optional because it's strenuous ... an expedition to the base of Upper Yosemite Fall (aka Death Falls) where I witnessed a man fall to his doom from the top of the world's 2nd tallest waterfall.

Thursday the 5th will feature 2 of the most rewarding hikes on the planet. Early in the morning (before the hoards invade this incredibly popular nature area, rendering it un-nature-like) a hike up the Mist Trail, climbing beautiful Vernal Fall, then on up to the top of magnificent Nevada Fall, returning to Happy Isles in the Valley via the Horse Trail, with great views of the waterfalls just climbed.

That afternoon, a drive up the Glacier Point road for the fantastic (less strenuous) hike out to Taft Point with its grand views of El Capitan, and staggering view of the Valley below through the Five Fissures ... then through beautiful forest out along the edge of the Valley to the top of Sentinal Dome for a stunning sunset and a some stargazing.

Friday, June 6, we'd make the four-hour car journey via Fresno to Kings Canyon - - and join the majority of other Swank Campers arriving that day for a long weekend of fantastic group fun.

* * * *

The Yosemite Valley Adventure will be limited to a much smaller group.

I grabbed everything available in the Valley for the nights of the 4th and 5th of June, and it wasn't much. There was no room at the Yosemite Lodge. No cabins with bath at Curry Village. Though cancellations may lead to upgrades between now and June, what we have so far is this:

3 cabins w/o bath at Curry Village for the night of Thursday, June 5. And 3 tent cabins at Curry Village for the night of Wednesday, June 4.

I'm kidnapping Gemini Cricket to share accomodations with me. That leaves room for 4 on the Yosemite add-on. I'm giving first opportunity to Yosemite Valley virgins (as far as I know, that's just Cadaverous Pallor .. and she's free to bring a guest, which I assume would be her husband, Ghoulish Delight). So I'm giving first dibs to them. 2 other spots are available. If the Cadaverous Delights decline, then 4 spots will be available.

Sorry, but I can't wait until 2010. Pfft, Gemini Cricket is freaking about turning 37 in a few days. But I'll be turning FIFTY in 2010. Pardon me if I want to get some mountain climbing in before then. *

* 2 of the 3 hikes in Yosemite, though not really moutain climbing, are considered fairly strenous for their elevation gain. While the hike to Death Falls will be optional, the Mist Trail hike is de rigeur. Yosemite Valley Adventurers should be in good health, free from neck, back and heart conditions, and not pregnant.

03-06-2008, 11:00 AM	#11
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Well, it's not exactly like that, N.A. Here's how it works. The people who want to participate in the Yosemite Valley Adventure add-on drive up to Yosemite (very) early on Wednesday, June 4. (This may or may not be the same day that early arrivers plan to arrive in Kings Canyon ... most likely that will rather be Thursday, the 5th) Wednesday will be a day of generally exploring the Valley, a visit to Bridalveil Fall, where Gemini Cricket helped save the a young life of a foolhardy boy (and then went no further in the Valley) ... then some rock-scrambling to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall (much safer than the scrambling at Bridalveil) and, lastly ... purely optional because it's strenuous ... an expedition to the base of Upper Yosemite Fall (aka Death Falls) where I witnessed a man fall to his doom from the top of the world's 2nd tallest waterfall. Thursday the 5th will feature 2 of the most rewarding hikes on the planet. Early in the morning (before the hoards invade this incredibly popular nature area, rendering it un-nature-like) a hike up the Mist Trail, climbing beautiful Vernal Fall, then on up to the top of magnificent Nevada Fall, returning to Happy Isles in the Valley via the Horse Trail, with great views of the waterfalls just climbed. That afternoon, a drive up the Glacier Point road for the fantastic (less strenuous) hike out to Taft Point with its grand views of El Capitan, and staggering view of the Valley below through the Five Fissures ... then through beautiful forest out along the edge of the Valley to the top of Sentinal Dome for a stunning sunset and a some stargazing. Friday, June 6, we'd make the four-hour car journey via Fresno to Kings Canyon - - and join the majority of other Swank Campers arriving that day for a long weekend of fantastic group fun. * * * * The Yosemite Valley Adventure will be limited to a much smaller group. I grabbed everything available in the Valley for the nights of the 4th and 5th of June, and it wasn't much. There was no room at the Yosemite Lodge. No cabins with bath at Curry Village. Though cancellations may lead to upgrades between now and June, what we have so far is this: 3 cabins w/o bath at Curry Village for the night of Thursday, June 5. And 3 tent cabins at Curry Village for the night of Wednesday, June 4. I'm kidnapping Gemini Cricket to share accomodations with me. That leaves room for 4 on the Yosemite add-on. I'm giving first opportunity to Yosemite Valley virgins (as far as I know, that's just Cadaverous Pallor .. and she's free to bring a guest, which I assume would be her husband, Ghoulish Delight). So I'm giving first dibs to them. 2 other spots are available. If the Cadaverous Delights decline, then 4 spots will be available. Sorry, but I can't wait until 2010. Pfft, Gemini Cricket is freaking about turning 37 in a few days. But I'll be turning FIFTY in 2010. Pardon me if I want to get some mountain climbing in before then. * * 2 of the 3 hikes in Yosemite, though not really moutain climbing, are considered fairly strenous for their elevation gain. While the hike to Death Falls will be optional, the Mist Trail hike is de rigeur. Yosemite Valley Adventurers should be in good health, free from neck, back and heart conditions, and not pregnant.
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