Yosemite 09
Emilie and I had a good personal trip to Yosemite in May. While we love the traditional cracks and slabs in the Adirondacks and there's plenty of multi-pitch climbing, the routes are only so big. So we headed to Yosemite for some longer free routes (and a little cragging too). We had good weather the first week and got in a few of the classic buttresses on Lower and Higher Cathedral Rocks, cruised the moderate but long Royal Arches, explored some of the classic smaller crags and got stormed off of Washington Column on a one-day grade V push before persistent warm thunderstorms closed out the trip. All in all, a pretty good trip to a rock climbers' mecca.
But one thing you don't hear about is just how many people there are in Yosemite- not just climbers- but hikers, tourists, sightseers, etc. Which made us really appreciate how nice the Adirondacks are and how lucky we are to have such a great, uncrowded playground of great climbing in our own backyard. The weather has been great lately in Keene Valley, so if you're ready to get out for some summer rock climbing- now is a good time. I will be in Chamonix participating in an AMGA Advanced Alpine Guides Course/ Aspirant Exam until June 16, but Emilie is holding down the fort in Keene Valley and available for private guiding. While 'big' trips are a nice treat, a 'little' trip to the Adirondacks is an affordable and accessible way to get the most out of the summer season.
