yosemite in late July
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Heres my delima. I am taking a family vacation to yosemite in late July with my 12 year old son and my girlfriend. We will be doing the regular tourist stuff but i would still like to get in some clmbing. Can anyone send me some suggestions on where to climb? Nothing big and grades up to 5.7 since my son will be following. Does not have to be in the valley and does not even have to be inside the park. Sport trad multi pitch all is fine with me. We will be driving from the bay area so any suggestions in between will also do. |
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After 6 on Manure Pile Buttress would give your son a taste of multi pitch climbing. The first pitch of Jam Crack, in the Yosemite Falls area, is 5.7, although fairly physical for the grade. From the top of the first pitch of Jam Crack you can string a top rope on the first pitches of Lazy Bum and Bummer, two fun 5.10 finger cracks. You could also do the second pitch of Jam Crack (5.9) and clean it on rappel if your son doesn't want to follow, since the top anchor is bolted. Bishop's Terrace is 5.8 but an excellent climb if your son wants to push his grade a little. |
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The Valley in July is all about early starts. I usually start around February. But seriously, an early start is mandatory if you want to climb anything in the Super-Topo books, which are all the classics <5.10. If you have not been to the base of climbs, i suggest you find them before hand, some (the Grack) can be tricky. |
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Munginella (5.6) is an excellent option. It's three beautiful pitches, easy access, nice location, well protected. It's liable to have lines, but if you go fairly early on a weekday it shouldn't be too bad - just kick back and enjoy the location. DO wear helmets. The top is a little rocky and bits get kicked off now and again by parties walking off. |
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When my kids were 12, they were way more into climbing around unroped, perpetual motion, exploring kind of stuff. I'd recommend heading up to Tenaya Lake and running around on the white slabs, then going for a swim afterwards. Great escape from the baking summer temps in the Valley! |
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Tenaya Lake would be a great place to spend at least a day. The gf can lounge on the beach at the east end of the lake, and you and your son can run up Great White Book, or try some of the shorter routes on Stately Pleasure Dome and/or the adjacent domes. If you do go for this option, note that Great White Book is very low angle, not hard at all, but the runouts can be long. |
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I was in Yosemite last July with my wife and kids. Over 100 degrees in the valley. Did Middle Cathedral with 6 liters of water in my backpack (which wasn't even enough for that time/day with 2 people) and immediately after decided to bail to the high country. Plus the crowds in the Valley can be a bit overwhelming. |
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Northwest Books, Lembert Dome |
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mark felber wrote:If you do go for this option, note that Great White Book is very low angle, not hard at all, but the runouts.... are huge.Fixed that for ya. Fortunately, if the leader does somehow manage to fall, s/he will fall into the climb/chimney and probably not go the whole distance, but seeing the #4 cam 100' below you on the crux pitch with no other pro is still unnerving. |
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Swan Slab area is very close to everything and has many short easy to hard routes. It is a fun area that will give you a good feel for the Yosemite granite. |