This past week, I took some time off running and Internet-life, and went back to a place that, for 20+ years, has only lived in my memories. Yosemite National Park.
In high school, my mom would round up us kids and use Yosemite as a giant time out - from school, from social stuff, from teenage shenanigans. And it worked. We trekked like mules, working unused teenage girl muscles, carrying 50 lb. packs over 8-10 miles every other day and spent rest days swimming in frigid water and sunning ourselves on giant slabs of granite. Overhead were the iconic rocks of lore... Half Dome, El Cap, Cathedral, Clouds Rest. At 8,000-10,000 feet we always finished the week feeling fitter, free-er, happier.
This week, I finally got a chance to go back, this time with my two kids, the hubs and my 70 year old Mom. Day one, I got worried she couldn't make the trip. As we climbed 1,000 feet of elevation in less than a mile, with heavy packs, she fell once - and every step felt perilous.
Fortunately, we pulled through. We started in Tenaya and went to Sunrise Lakes, Clouds Rest, and ended at Cathedral Lakes and Peak. And unlike 20 years ago, it was fun to put my own apparel to the test. I'm happy to report O did great in the wild! And I can confidently recommend many of our pieces for rigorous trekking.
Hiking, swimming, bouldering, camp-siting -- we flystyled all the way.
Some of the best pieces...
1. Roga, Roga, Roga! All three of us wore Rogas daily
- Flat waistband fits smoothly under backpack belt
- Back pocket perfect for keeping sunscreen chapstick handy (or Jolly Ranchers)
- Wear with underwear one day, and one without for 2 x underwear efficiency!
- Can double as a swimming bottom, super-quick drying
- All way stretch = easy leg movement
- Durable! Granite is rough stuff... Rogas got dirty yes, but tough as nails.
- Roga Shorts, Mac Roga Shorts, Long Roga Shorts... we wore them all.
2. Wazzie Wool
- Being that high is all about layering - this is the base!
- Also wore it one night to bed. The merino is soft enough.
- Good 2nd layer for an overcast morning, hiking out
3. Lux Sweatshirt
- Perfect 2nd layer at 9,000 feet - where hot can become cold in a flash
- Softness makes it perfect as a PJ top on cold nights
- Lightweight and packable
- Also very durable... it took dust, sweat, tears and snot no problem
- Small pocket at hip great for small tube of sunscreen
4. Bras
- I wore the Verrazano which is was perfect
- Also wore the new Suspension Shimmel under a tee
- Fits smoothly and comfortably under a backpack
- Bella wore the New Lesko, looked great!
5. Bird Swim
- Durable
- Quick drying
- Tough enough for granite
- It's the middle-end of the summer, and my girls' suits still look good
Yosemite! If you get a chance to go, do it! I recommend steering clear of the main Yosemite Valley where all the tourists go. We drove through briefly and it reminded me of Disneyland, complete with 50-person tourist trollies, noise and crowds. The higher, more remote back country spots are incredible - and many can be day hiked, with 5-6 miles in. Cathedral Lakes and Peak is a single destination in and of itself. I need to get back there again - much sooner than 20 years.
“It was like lying in a great solemn cathedral, far vaster and more beautiful than any built by the hand of man.” - President Teddy Roosevelt
