Sunrise on Clouds Rest

RSVPs are now closed. If you are on the waiting list, it means I'm waiting for your Emergency Contact and Waiver of Liability forms. If I moved you to NO it means you missed the cut - usually by failing to answer the mandatory questions.

This is a WEEKDAY Hike in case you haven't noticed!

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/b/4/event_22383508.jpeg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/steventheamusing/2598884658/in/photostream/) This event was originally scheduled in the Bay Area Photography and Exploration Society. (https://www.meetup.com/SF-Bay-Area-Photographers-Explorers/events/16288889/)

Itinerary

Leave the Bay Area after working hours (6 pm). (Attendees may leave earlier if they wish). Straight through without traffic or stops it is a 4 hour, 10 minute drive from the carpool location to the trail head. Begin hiking at about 10:30 PM from the Tenaya Lake (Sunrise Lakes) trail head.
NOTE: From most of the Bay Area if you leave at 6 PM you are UNLIKELY to make it to the trailhead by 10:30! I suggest leaving earlier if possible. Reach the summit before astronomical twilight. (4:30 AM) Enjoy sunrise (6:22 AM), breakfast (that you bring with you) and a short nap (an hour or so) Hike down at a leisurely rate. Return to the Tenaya Lake Area around noon. Enjoy a hearty lunch at Touloumne Meadows Leave Yosemite around 3 PM Arrive back in the Bay Area around 9 PM, that night Go to work the following day and brag about what you've accomplished.

Qualification Required

You may only join if you have participated in a hike of similar difficulty and kept a reasonable (2 mph) pace - that means you can summit Mission Peak in 90 minutes or less . This hike is 11km (about 7 miles) each way. It begins at 8,000 feet elevation and tops out at 9,920 feet (Half Dome is a paltry 8,800). So you're thinkin' easy: Half Dome requires climbing up 4,600 feet but Clouds Rest is less than 2,000! Well, yes and no. There is about 900 feet of down on the way to the summit, and at the higher altitude the air is thinner for the entire hike.

You must have accomplished such a hike one month or less before the event. The best way to do this is to train with me on Mission Peak. And in particular participate in a "Double Hike" of Mission Peak (or similar venue). If you can hike Mission Peak bottom to top twice in 7 or less hours, you can probably handle Clouds Rest (or Half Dome) though altitude does change things a bit.

I reserve the right to select and reject participants based on my understanding of their fitness and preparation for this event. This is not an event for reckless or unprepared people.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2689013697_a4d898ab2a_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/steventheamusing/2689013697/) ACROPHOBIA WARNING : Scrambling to the Clouds Rest summit is definitely not for the faint of heart. An irregular swath of granite at one point is about 20 feet wide but with 3,000 foot drops on either side (see photo) - and we will be there AT NIGHT. To get to the summit, you have to cross a section that is only 6 feet wide. It's not quite as frightening as the famous cables on Half Dome, and not at all steep to get to the summit, but it's also not a cake walk! For a better picture showing the narrow part, see here (http://www.yosemitehikes.com/tioga-road/clouds-rest/gallery-ridge.htm) or read this article (http://www.yosemitehikes.com/tioga-road/clouds-rest/clouds-rest.htm).

Read a little more about the route here:

Tenaya Lake to Clouds Rest at EveryTrail (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=37444)

COST Entry into Yosemite( $20 per car) + shared carpooling expenses.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3260/2689908610_a57783250d_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/steventheamusing/2689908610/)

Note that we cross a stream at the very beginning of the route. It could be ankle deep to WAIST deep. When we were there on August 14th you could hop rocks without getting wet (pictured at right), but there is still enough high-country snow that an especially warm day could raise the water level. You may want to bring water shoes for the beginning of the hike, or have a towel and dry socks ready.

Carpooling/Driving - To be arranged. However, I am continuing on to teach a workshop the following days, so you cannot ride with me, sorry.

Lodging - Self arrange only - as planned the hike is overnight and consumes one work day.

Requirements/Qualification for the Event

You must do ALL of the following or you cannot be included.

Answer all of the qualifying questions when you RSVP. Complete an Emergency Contact Form (http://files.meetup.com/1491227/BANP_EmergencyContact.pdf) and return it to me, Steven. Complete a Waiver of Liability (http://files.meetup.com/1491227/BANP_GeneralReleaseOfLiability.pdf) and return it to me, Steven. Be able to summit Mission Peak (http://blog.starcircleacademy.com/2011/04/mission-peak/) with all the gear you will be bringing in less than two hours preferably in 90 minutes or less starting from the Stanford Avenue or Ohlone College trail head. I may require that you hike WITH me to verify your speed.

What to Bring:

This list may not be complete!

Water bottles (at least two litres) preferably with electrolytes Flashlight and headlamp w/ extra batteries. (Yes, bring BOTH). Energy snacks Sturdy hiking boots, heavy socks + extra pair Moleskin / Glacier Ice (to protect against or deal with blisters) Layers of clothing including hat, gloves Sunscreen, insect repellent Whistle Comfortable day pack to carry the gear Camera and related gear (tripod highly recommended, leave large or heavy gear at home or you'll regret it.) Lens? up to you. Wide angle is usually best for landscapes. But if you want to carry more, a telephoto can work well for wildlife (there will be some), and for picking vistas out of the surrounds. Small towel OPTIONAL, but highly recommended per every two or three hikers: Topomap, GPS or compass, Walkie talkie First aid supplies (bandages, ibuprofen, compress) Water purification unit Sleeping mat RECOMMENDED Treking poles (aka hiking poles) Neoprene knee brace(s) and/or ankle brace(s) Duct tape Small amount of strong twine. Knife (pocket knife) or multi-tool.

Additional Notes:

Q: I heard you cannot store food or scented things in your car or you'll be ticketed and towed.
A: Yes, It's a real bummer to have bear break into your car because they smell food or see things (like coolers) associated with food. They are not neat about how they break in!

Q: Bear! Do I have to worry about bear, oh my!
A: Yes. And the truth is you're more likely to see them in the populated areas where there is lots of food. But we'll go over bear safety. All the energy you might put into being worried about bear would be better spent worrying about adequate preparation.

Q: Do I have to sign a Release of Liability Waiver? Why?
A: You must sign a Release of Liability Waiver . I, the organizer, and your fellow hikers are not going to assume liability for you or your injuries or possible death.

Q: Hiking all night, sounds exhausting? How do you do it?
A: Get plenty of sleep in the preceeding nights. We'll nap at the top, and after lunch. Another good nights sleep and you'll be fine, except for the aches and pains, that is ;-)

Q: Can I bring a guest?
A: Yes, but they must sign up individually under their own name and complete the questions and training.

Q: Have you done this before, Steven?
A: Yes, here is the proof. The first is before sunrise looking down on Half Dome - that round glowing thing is the moon. The next photo was taken at 3 AM!
http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/d/1/event_22383537.jpeg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/steventheamusing/2689056671/in/photostream/) http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3100/2689086179_ae9eac37ca_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/steventheamusing/2689086179/)

Completed Forms

Deborah, Nik, Tyler, Jeff Green, Rachael, Mike, Yuki, Brad