A summer working in Yosemite

Greetings MP fam. I’m looking to escape the desert this up coming summer and it occurred to me that I should go to Yosemite to work for a couple months and of course climb.

I’m curious if any of you have spent a summer working in or around the park. Who did you work for, when did you season start and end,how many day a week are you expected to work/ how much time will one actually have to climb, good experiences, bad experience? Happy to hear about your experience there so any info is good. Cheers guys. 

Curry Company, summer of ‘82. It was great and was able to climb quite a bit (I was in housekeeping). Even did the Column and RNWFHD. Given how old this data point is, though, I’m not sure how relevant it might be for you. Hopefully, some youngsters will chime in with more recent experiences.
P.S. My climbing buddy was a lifeguard at one of the pools while I cleaned rooms—I was sooo jealous!

I worked coffee for the concessionaire in 2015, wasn't the worst job. The jobs range from horrible for climbing and free time to ok, with lifeguarding having the most days off I saw at the time. It's hot in the valley during the summer so evenings and mornings are best if you can get a job that leaves that open. working in tuoluomne would be better, but I don't know much about it other than that.

I had a friend who worked for NPS doing biology work in the high country and they had a much better job with more days off in a row.

I worked in the valley for the concession services for 3 summers 1999-2001. I climbed almost every day. Just go with a good attitude and realize that it will often be hot and crowded but you'll be a local. You can climb in the evening or morning and at the crags/boulders few visit or know about. Unless you work a tipped position you won't make much money, but you will have amazing experiences and get to know the valley in intimate ways. But housing is cheap and the meal plan used to be a good deal, so your living expenses are low and subsidized.

  I agree with what others said: if you can land a job in tuolumne that's THE place to be. Not sure if it's like this now, but my first summer I had to show up and not know what job I would get. Could be housekeeping or washing dishes. Call and find out if this is still the deal. You also used to not have to take the first job offered when you first arrived. I had experience in retail and played that up in my first visit to HR when they offered me housekeeping, so i got a decent job in a gift shop my first season. The next two seasons I had seniority and made decent-ish money in tipped positions in the hotel bar and restaurant. If money isn't a huge factor I say go for it. I made some of the best memories of my life those summers. 

Astro Guy, you are saying that you went to the valley with no job and was able to find one fairly easy? I applied for a couple jobs the other day on the internet, but you think it would be relatively easy to find a job we I get to town? Also just think about a two month gig, probably July and August, the online job applications did not specify time lines... Thanks for input everyone, gonna looking to Tuolomne jobs as well. Cheers

Hey yeah sorry that was confusing the way I wrote it. So I applied for a job and they said I was hired, but wouldn't tell me what job I would have until I arrived (a leap of faith, as I was coming from NC). But the process is probably different now. I know it's run by a different concession company now than it was 20 years ago. Hope this helps. Hmu again if you need more clarity. 

Also see if there are any jobs with nps or other options besides the concession services. My buddy cleaned toilets for nps in tuolumne. :)