Yosemite Log - Day 1 Day 1 - The Valley A travel day. Mariott checkout, rental car return, Amtrak train, Yart shuttle, valley shuttle, and the back and forth for hiking permit and last minute supplies. I stash my suitcase in a bear locker. It is the putting away of one life as a first step of a new life. I am laying under my tarp. The valley sounds of children scampering, families moving, and retired couples sitting are replaced by a few of the backpacker campground neighbors standing by crackling...

Yosemite Log Day 7- Koip Peak Pass Today's climb was to take me over the highest elevation of the trip, over 12,000 ft.. Yesterday I had seen a pair of hikers at the bottom of the trail to Gem Pass. They didn't seem too friendly, but since they were the only people I had seen all day, I stopped to talk and get information. Where are you headed? ...