Yosemite National Park (Part 1) - Half Dome Backpack Trip

Josh and Kt Allred doing what they do best...smile.

We made it!  Yosemite National Park.  Possibly the greatest spot to in the United States.  Some of the tallest granite cliffs in the world can be found here.  This was my first time coming to Yosemite and for Kt it was a welcome home.  After months and months of persevering Kt was able to manage Half Dome permits.  This is one of the hardest permits to get a hold of in the National Park Service.    

El Capitan on the left, Half Dome in the middle and Leaning Towers on the right.  Yosemite is full of the world's best big wall climbing.

It was a mini family reunion trip.  The Berrett's were all ready to go.

18 miles round trip with about 4,000 ft of elevation gain.  On the left you can see Half Dome.  The rock formation in the middle is called Liberty Cap (future climbing trip).

Uncle Dick brought the kitchen set with him.

First view of Vernal Falls.

Kt attempting to get her shirt wet.

Stand back gentleman.  Move out of the way, Momma Harrel is coming through.  She means business.

Vernal Falls

The happy couple right at home.

Aunt Keena on the move.  You go girl!

Pushing through to the top of Vernal Falls.

Helicopter dropping water on a fire.

Team Berett taking five.

Nevada Falls

Little Skylee on the move.

"My favorite!" - Kt Allred

One step at a time.

Day 1 camp sight.  Momma Harrel taking advantage of every second of sleep.

First sight of the cables to the top of Half Dome.

Are we there yet?

The end is near.

Mt Watkins

How about some picnic baskets?

A sea of granite.

"Not near as crowded as last time I was here." - Kt Allred

The Park Ranger checking permits scared everyone half to death before going up the cables.  He told this unfortunate story of this child that fell and passed away because of rain.  Poor Skylee had to sit through it.  When we reached the top of Sub Dome, masses of people began to turn around because of the dark clouds coming.  Kt and I decided we have come to far to turn around.  We booked it.  Later on, Aunt Keena said that we "ran straight up the cables" and "never seen anybody move that fast."  Many visitors were yelling at us to "Turn around, it's not safe.  It is starting to rain.  You two are crazy. Blah Blah."  Kt and I felt one single rain drop (I would hardly call that rain).

Leaving the exodus of people behind.  Hundreds turned, only a few more feet to go.

Storm clouds are moving, get up there!

When we got to the top there wasn't a soul to be seen!  We were the only people up there.  In a way we should thank the scary Park Ranger for clearing out all the people.  This is the most popular trail in Yosemite National Park.  Unbelievable experience for Kt and I to share this alone.  Sometimes it pays off to ignore the risk.

Where is everyone?

Josh in aww of the valley.

Life. Love. Adventure. The Allreds.

Enjoying the spoils of Yosemite.

Josh and Kt Allred

All we found was a Marmot.

We enjoyed the top of the world for about half a hour before another couple came up.  It was a deaf couple.  The first they asked Kt was if she had heard any thunder.  Kt (fluent in ASL) was signing with them for a bit. I jumped in the conversation when I could.

As the zen say, "When you reach the top of a mountain, keep climbing."

Time to go.

Josh climbing down the steep cables.

We made it down safe.  It was time to head back and finish the last 9 miles.  On our way back we took part of the John Muir Trail and enjoyed the water falls from a distance.

Looking back at the granite.

Kt in front of Liberty Cap.

Part of Half Dome on the left and Liberty Cap on the right.

Kt and Josh admiring the waterfalls.

Happy mom on the way down.

Smiley wiley.

Thank goodness we are done.

What an amazing trip.  Special thanks to Kt for fighting for the hardest permits to get on Earth.  Also a special thanks to Billy at work for getting us the time off.  Finally, we have to thank everyone that came.  I am so thankful to share this wonderful experience with you all.