Sunny climbs and Obama in Yosemite Valley July 14, 2016 12:47 1 Comment

Yosemite Valley is the stuff of dreams. After seeing hundreds of tantalizing photographs and listening to stories and beta from friends, we gave it a go.
Yosemite Valley pullout
Magnificent views upon entering the park.
Upper Pines Campsite
Our campsite in Upper Pines.
Half Dome view from Upper Pines
Loved waking up to this view every morning!
Obama was giving a speech in Yosemite National Park that weekend, which set back our plans for the first day of climbing. After waiting in the Village parking lot for a couple hours, we made our way to the top of Manure Pile Buttress on the beautiful multi-pitch trad climb, After Six.
After Six — First Belay Station
The view over Yosemite Valley from the first belay station on After Six, 5.6.
We spent our second day bouldering around Camp 4, with our eyes set on Bachar Cracker. Afterwards, we headed over to the Generator Crack for a truly unique experience. For a few of us, this was our first taste of an off width. With a lot of sweat, blood and effort, the top was within reach!
Bachar Cracker V4
The start of Bachar Cracker, V4 at Camp 4.
El Capitan Meadow
Pretty much all we could do after Generator Crack.
The Grack on Day 3 gave us a little bit of a hard time. After spending longer than expected finding the right trail, we were on. During the first pitch, we took a wrong turn and ended up on the Grack Left. I don’t have a lot of experience on long multi-pitches or carrying heavy trad gear, so my achy feet were begging me to stop. As sad as we were to come off of a climb, we took a long lunch break beneath a shady tree before heading down and back home.
Yosemite waterfall
Bye, Yosemite! Thanks for the good times.
Yosemite was wonderfully majestic, and all the climbs we got on were well worth it.