Yosemite

A collection of classic moderate rock climbs on the Eastern end of Yosemite National Park feat. Cathedral Peak and Eichorn Pinnacle; Tenaya Peak; Matthes Crest; Mt Conness.

Yosemite was my gateway into high Sierra climbing. It was where I experienced so many firsts. Tenaya Peak was my first alpine trad climb. Cathedral Peak was the first time I made a new friend and climbing partner from a chance encounter on the descent.

Matthes Crest was the first time death from climbing felt tangible when we saw a search and rescue helicopter fly terribly close and later learned that someone had fallen while on the same route as us earlier that day.

Mt Conness was my first epic in the mountains. As the leader of the group, I didn’t have the mindspace to feel fear: I was solely focused on three things, staying safe, routefinding, and supporting my partner. I comforted my partner as the more experienced climber, even though I barely had much experience under my belt myself. It’s funny how you rise to the occasion. We pushed upwards through a black moonless night to summit at 2AM. We forced ourselves to make forward progress walking like zombies. We succumbed to shivering naps under rocks when our eyelids grew unbearably heavy.

At sunrise we were filled with an indescribable mix of relief and elation. We waited until the golden rays of morning basked our numb bodies in warmth and lit the surrounding peaks aglow to reveal the path back home.