Off day in yosemite.

We are enjoying an off day just south of yosemite in oakhurst.  The dirty donkey here has two dollar beer specials and we are staying just up the road at a snow park.  Just us and some rv guy who we scare the hell out of.  He moved his whole set up once we pulled in.  All is going well.  Last week we were up 5 passes in 5 days.  Tons of elevation and granite but beautiful.  Froze 3 of 5 nights and we r going lower from here.  Another 70 miles in yosemite starting tomorrow and then down to kings canyon and sequoia for more. ~ Paul

Backcountry Yosemite pics

A few more photos

Sorry if I've posted any of these before but while I have access to data I thought i'd get a few more out.

Big fish

Picture of one of the 4 giant fish caught on our rest day in Sacramento.

Photos from hwy 50 to hwy 108

500 Miles!

Last Thursday we finished 500 miles at Sonora Pass (Hwy 108 on the map).  We decided we needed a little break and rode down to Sacto with our friend Chad.  I want to thank everyone who has helped us get this far.  First there's Chad whose helped us with logistics.  Not only has he mailed all our food boxes and moved us around the fires but he showed up at the pass with hot pizza, salad, and cold beer!  Then there's my mom who is taking care of all of our business and mail as well as tracking where we are in case we don't turn up where we're supposed to.  These two are critical to our adventure.  Thanks to both!  Also thanks to all who supported the hike by giving us stuff we needed.  Thanks to paul's mom for the best water filter ever and the maps.  Thanks to Grandma L, Grandpa C and Gerri for our new high-tech camp matts which are so warm we're just starting zip our sleeping bags.  Thanks to the Girards for the packtowels and compression sacks.  Thanks to mom and dad for our tiny stove and titanium mess kit and the tiny pillow.  Thanks to Rachel for the knife.  Thanks to many for the socks and snacks.  We use all this stuff everyday on the trail and think of y'all.  Thanks to all for the well wishes.  Paul started hiking to Yosemite on Tues.  I'm resting my knees til next Monday when I will meet him there.  If the weather holds out we'll do another 200 miles or so.  It's getting harder to post in the hi sierra but we will if we can.

More pictures

Helmet cams have been suggested.  Maybe next time.... here's a few more.

Challenging times for communication

We've been having a great time, although it is certainly getting mor echallenging to communicate with ya'll.  Last stop they refused to let us plug in the phone.  Fortunately a guy renting a houe on the side of hwy 50 let us plug in.  We just passed desolation valley (not at all desolate on labor day weekend) and are travelling between passes in the sierras.  We've passed all the thru hikers trying to make it from Mexico to Canada in one season.  These guys and ladies are walking 20 to 30 miles a day with a sleeping bag, a tarp, water pure drops and food like olive oil and maltodextrin.  Not for us, I think.  Anyway we noticed that those out in front were super-organized and fit folks in their 50s and 60s, followed by less organized 20 year olds, people in their 30s and 40s ans then the partying 20 year olds on drugs I've never heard of.  A walking rave.   More on the stories we heard later.  Suffice it to say we'll be happy for more privacy.