Whether you think the new permit system is too rigid or you think it’s the greatest idea since sliced bread, you need to watch the video as a hiker risks his own life for a cell phone battery he dropped.
It’s pretty apparent that the problem isn’t the amount of people climbing Half Dome, it’s the misinformation and hype that’s circulated over recent years that’s led people to believe it’s nothing more dangerous than a walk down Mainstreet USA in Disneyland. It’s not. It’s dangerous. People die for stupid crap like this. People die for NON-stupid crap. If you’ve never hiked this, do your research. This is a strenuous hike with a butt kicker of a climb up and down at the end. If you get hurt, you’re screwed. Help is a LONG ways away. The best thing you can take with you is your brain and common sense.
If you’ve picked up a climbing magazine in the last 10 years you’ve undoubtedly heard of Dean Potter. Check out this cool video shot as Dean Potter and photographer Mikey Schaefer use the moon as a backdrop while Potter walks a tight rope on the top of Yosemite’s Cathedral Peak. This video is part of a project for National Geographic called The Man Who Can Fly which logs various climbs and wing suit flights by Potter You can check out The Man Who Can Fly at http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/videos/the-man-who-can-fly/. Next airing is tonight, Friday 11th at 5 p.m. eastern on NatGeo.
Huell Howser interviews Yosemite visitors after backpacking to the top of Half Dome
Yesterday I was saddened to learn that California icon Huell Howser had passed away at a young age of 67 years old. Huell was made famous for his show California’s Gold and his telltale banter. Since I first discovered his show on PBS, Huell has been a huge influence in my travel and for this blog. Without him this blog probably never would have been created. Thanks, Huell. We’ll miss you.
If you are nostalgic and like me, rewatching past episodes of California’s Gold, subscribe to the podcast in iTunes where you can get the back catalog and watch on your computer. There’s even a couple of episodes about Yosemite. Teachers, the California Missions episodes produces for the now defunct Mervyn’s California are also on the podcast. Great for sharing with your class and passing on the legacy of Huell Howser.
I meant to post this the other day when I first found it, the latest installment of Yosemite Nature Notes is out. This is number 20 titled, Granite. Rock on, dudes!
Like most of you, I don’t have the ability to be in the park everyday. I mean, I have work. Obligations. Places to go. People to meet. It keeps me VERY busy. Sometimes too busy for my own good. But there’s one little corner of the internet that helps keep me anchored when my head starts pounding and the phone won’t stop ringing, the Yosemite Conservancy webcams.
Here’s a little time lapse I created from the YC webcam at Sentinel Dome yesterday. Calm. Peaceful. Relaxing. Ahhhhhh!
You know I didn’t do much though. The real credit goes to the Yosemite Conservancy. They’re a great organization. Not only do they do the great webcams but they help restore key areas of park, publish books and literature, promote the arts and theater in the park, and present educational programs. You should become a member. They’re a great organization doing great things for the park and you’ll not only be keeping the great programs they fund going (not to mention the webcams that give us these beautiful images) but you’ll get special discounts on books, maps, posters, calendars and other products sold by Yosemite Conservancy stores and a discount on the outdoor courses conducted by the Conservancy in Yosemite. If you like skiing you’ll get a 15% discount on stays at the Ostrander Ski Hut not to mention the a listing in the Honor Wall Register at the Valley Visitor Center. You also get a subscription to the Yosemite Conservancy newsletter so you stay up to date with what’s going on in the park and with the YC. Pretty cool, huh?
Most of us can’t afford a video in 4k but this one is just stunning whether in 720, 1080 or 4k. It’s well worth checking out. I got my copy off iTunes as a digital download but you can get it straight from Tom on Blu-ray, HD download, larger format HD download, Retina HD download, DVD and, for those of you who only want the most beautiful, 4k and 4k Cineform.
How can you make an already awesome video better? Why, release it in 1080p HD of course! Now you can see Yosemite Nature Notes: Night Skies in beautiful 1080p HD. If you’ve got the connection and a large monitor I highly, highly recommend checking out the video. It is something fantastic to view in HD. It’s nothing like actually being there to experience but man, it’s one beautiful piece of work. Check it out below. Be sure to change your settings to 1080p and go full screen.
Yosemite isn’t only beautiful during the day with it’s majestic waterfalls, peaks and spires, awe-inspiring granite walls, but it’s beautiful at night. Have you ever looked up? There are SO MANY STARS! It’s like you can see every one. Check out the latest installment of Yosemite Nature Notes entitled, “Night Skies.”
Great work, guys!
As always, best viewed in 720HD and at full screen. If you’re reading this in your email and just see a black box you can watch the video here.
I always love watching other people’s videos where they discover Yosemite. There’s always something I take for granted that’s cool and interesting. Take this great video from Trainkids on Youtube for instance. They caught one of the rarer sights around Yosemite, the fish planting at Ellery Lake. Pretty cool.
