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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 24, 2015 - 10:39am PT
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I'll be in the valley Thursday and Friday with my grand niece from Indiana who has never been to California or the mountains before. Anybody have kid fun ideas? I find kids are usually bored with touristing and want to do or see something they don't expect.
Thanks in advance.
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Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
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Mar 24, 2015 - 10:41am PT
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Indian Caves?
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Mar 24, 2015 - 10:52am PT
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Climb trees and rocks.. get muddy, chase lizards, catch butterflys. Cathedral or Sentinel beach is a nice spot to do some of that.
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looks easy from here
climber
Ben Lomond, CA
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Mar 24, 2015 - 10:52am PT
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Timely thread. I might be taking my 6 year old niece in a couple weeks, and was just considering options beyond a bit of Swan Slab TRing. If I hit on anything I'll share it, otherwise I'll just keep monitoring this thread for ideas.
Any short (<1 mile) class 2 scrambles with a good top out? Like a step down from Sierra Point?
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kev
climber
A pile of dirt.
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Mar 24, 2015 - 10:57am PT
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I'm sure she'd be stoked to see a bear.
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Mar 24, 2015 - 11:01am PT
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Lot easier to come up with stuff like that for tuoulumne. Bit early still unfortunately.
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 24, 2015 - 11:01am PT
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One idea is to walk her over to the base of the nose. It is pretty amazing how few people walk over there.
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CCT
Trad climber
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Mar 24, 2015 - 11:49am PT
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Kids that age don't need anything formal. Climbing up a rock near the campsite is plenty good enough. The Mist Trail hike was a 5-star experience when I was a young'un, and we didn't even have to get to the top.
If it's open and considered safe now, that rockfall zone under the death slabs on the south side of Mirror Lake could make for some fun exploring.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Mar 24, 2015 - 12:36pm PT
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Don't forget to give her a tour of the Dirtbag Zoo.
Feeding time is best, of course.
"This is what happens to you when you lose yer way in life."
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Mar 24, 2015 - 12:52pm PT
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Acorn grinding rocks at the corner of the Ahwahnee parking lot where the trail to Serenity/Royal Arches leaves the parking lot.
Slick low rocks at start of trail to Lower Yosemite Falls
El Cap Meadow/ sand bar
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cragnshag
Social climber
san joser
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Mar 24, 2015 - 01:05pm PT
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Before you head out to the Valley, bring her by to climb on Emory's new climbing wall (thx Clint!). She can also zoom across the yard on the zipline or swing like a monkey on the gym rings.
You can borrow the trail-a-bike (third wheel that allows the kid to pedal also) and the Petzl kid harness. Lil' e loves biking around the Valley Floor. Bonus points if you can pedal the kid up the steep hill to the crapper at Mirror Lake.
Swan SLab has some good low angle stuff to TR. Nearby over at the Lower Falls walkway about 400' from the bathrooms there are 2 big boulders with low angle romps to the top. The kids climb up and then slide down on their bums.
There is a jr Ranger program (1.5 hours long or so) offered by the NPS, check local listings when you arrive.
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Rhodo-Router
Gym climber
sawatch choss
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Mar 24, 2015 - 01:13pm PT
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Walk up Eagle Creek (it's an easy boulder field)
Sunnyside Bench and waterfall via east-side hike approach.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Mar 24, 2015 - 01:31pm PT
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Sunnyside Bench and waterfall via east-side hike approach. Only if you tie the kid in.
There are some exposed sections where if you make a false step, you die if unroped.
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Mar 24, 2015 - 02:07pm PT
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Happy Isles is great for kids.
The quick hikes to Lower Yosemite and/or Bridaveil Falls are great.
The Indian village behind the post office, and visitor center with the model of the valley.
Probably too cold for floating down the Merced, but that's my favorite thing with kids. Buy some cheap rafts at Big 5 or rent if it's open.
Rent bikes as mentioned.
Get a drink from Fern Spring (explain how you can't drink safely out of a stream). Or soak your feet in the cold water after a hike.
Hike up four mile trail as far as you want. It's on the shady side of the valley.
Aid climb up Le Conte boulder then setup a rope swing on it for the kids.
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c wilmot
climber
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Mar 24, 2015 - 02:19pm PT
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Arch rock has that cool split rock/island thing near it. It will likely be private, has a cool rock feature, and is kind of offbeat. Just watch out for the Oak
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Paul Martzen
Trad climber
Fresno
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Mar 24, 2015 - 02:53pm PT
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Kids that age will keep themselves fabulously entertained with sticks and pine cones and little boulders and creeks. Figure out how to keep yourself entertained with those same things and you and she will have a great time.
At the beginning of the lower Yosemite Falls Trail, there are a bunch of low boulders that often attract lots of kids. You can spot her on mini boulders. A little further are boulders to crawl under. Bring several flashlights. Eventually you might make it all the way to the bridge to feel the wind and mist from the falls.
Find things to explore in your immediate vicinity, like walking on logs, rolling pine cones, poking yourself with pine needles, playing with rocks. You never know for sure what will grab her attention, but have fun with anything that does.
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Trad climber
Will know soon
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Mar 24, 2015 - 03:03pm PT
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In the Valley proper the Indian Village and inside display is very cool and she can learn about the history of the Valley/Tuolumne Indians Ahwahnechee/Miwok. I loved learning about the Indian culture when I was her age.
Are you camping? It would be awesome for her to make pancakes with you on a cook stove. At age 6 she will have fun if you take time and patience to unfold the glory of the Valley to her. She will never forget it. Take pictures. Cheers, lynnie
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Mar 24, 2015 - 03:04pm PT
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Nose in a day? She'll remember that....
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looks easy from here
climber
Ben Lomond, CA
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Mar 24, 2015 - 03:08pm PT
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In a day? Nah, then she misses out on sleeping on a ledge in the sky. I say stick her in a pig and haul her up.
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Mar 24, 2015 - 03:09pm PT
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Right, you're definitely right. Bivy is much better!
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Lynne Leichtfuss
Trad climber
Will know soon
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Mar 24, 2015 - 03:21pm PT
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With the expertise here at the campfire we should start some kiddo guide books. The ideas here are truly awesome, even better than Lonely Planet.
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le_bruce
climber
Oakland, CA
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Mar 24, 2015 - 04:14pm PT
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Our girl is six, we take her up to the Valley a bunch, these were some big hits:
-Walk and picnic up in the Ribbon Falls Amp (6 y.o.'s are better walkers than we give 'em credit for)
-Three or so bolted, juggy routes at Pat and Jack around Mikaela's climb
-Mist-->Nevada
-Up Tenaya Cyn as far as they can make it, staying on the south side. There are some lovely spots up past the Snow Crk break
-Heat some chocolate in the forest by the falls at night - cool night spot full of sounds and critters/bugs
-Explore around the Crimson/Fish area, lots of neat pools and caves and scrambles, plus good tree climbing especially on the huuuuuge old oaks over there
-Bike from EC bridge down to Fern on the wooded path that passes beneath the Cathedrals, add in the 5 min detour to the base proper (ed: the kid bikes, we jog along with her w/o bikes and hold on to her pigtails for dear life on some of the downhills. biking isn't allowed on those paths, which we've taken to mean no adult bikes, but we may be off on that)
-Walk the road out to Little Wing area, quiet, sunny, good views
-Ice skating at Curry, though that'll likely be gone
-Build huts and villages at any quiet sandy beach along the river
-Night walks, any night walks
Adding Nutella sandwiches somewhere in the middle of all of the above is a huge booster.
Have fun!
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 24, 2015 - 05:10pm PT
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Thanks, lots of great ideas so far, keep em coming. I have no idea if she can ride a bike but I can ask. I do agree that the best thing is to simply let a kid play and explore as much as is possible and is safe. I had thought of Ribbon Falls because that is such a cool place and I'm sure I could get her up there but I have to also contend with the abilities of her grandmother (sister in law) and great aunt (wife) who will be there. I don't think there will be any climbing gear on this trip.
Bob- I doubt the schedule will allow a visit as it is pretty tight. They have a lot planned. They toured the San Mateo coast today and are spending the night in Santa Cruz.
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KabalaArch
Trad climber
Starlite, California
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Mar 24, 2015 - 05:43pm PT
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TR Goblet?
I think 'Lainey followed Monday Morning when she was 6 or 7
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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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Mar 24, 2015 - 05:51pm PT
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Roasting marshmallows and or s'mores are one of my kids favorites things about camping.
If NIAD is too much do east ledges. Just tie her in separately and put her in a backpack. Seems like the way to do it.
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 24, 2015 - 06:28pm PT
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A 6 yo might think the balanced rocks at mirror lake were cool.
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susu
Trad climber
East Bay, CA
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Mar 24, 2015 - 09:49pm PT
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http://www.yosemitepark.com/kid-attractions.aspx
Picnic by the water, find out games she likes and figure out a way to play them or something like them outside,... roasting marshmallows (even in the Mountain Room Bar if the fireplace is going), and probably only really short hikes.I also vote for Happy Isles with a quick look in the tourist center there to learn about animals. Also, I once checked out the schoolyard and thought what an amazing view of Yosemite Falls kids get there. Isn't there a swing set there? If you bring her near the climbing cliffs, should she have a helmet? Climbing something out of the question?
Addded - WOW... typing this on my phone took so long there's been many posts that pretty much preempt mine. Or rather, I must have missed reading the whole next page of posts which are so good. Anyway, Enjoy!
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phylp
Trad climber
Upland, CA
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Mar 24, 2015 - 09:58pm PT
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The Cemetery is kind of cool.
Maybe too creepy for a 6 year old though!
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looks easy from here
climber
Ben Lomond, CA
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Mar 26, 2015 - 02:51pm PT
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Something I'm going to keep in my pocket for my niece if we're cruising around the Lower Falls area and she's feeling bold is the 3rd class gully at the start of Sunnyside. It has rock on each side, so as long as someone's downhill it's super secure for a kid, but still a pretty good adventure, and there's a good ledge at the top for a Capri Sun and banana chip break that is, iirc, above the tree level-always an awesome view!
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Mar 26, 2015 - 03:28pm PT
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If you have the time to drive up to Glacier Point and take in the Mariposa Grove of giant Sequoias her mind will be blown. The Tuolumne Grove is more of a walk and so a bit less kid friendly. Big trees and big views...hard to go wrong there.
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Banquo
climber
Amerricka
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 28, 2015 - 10:15am PT
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So here is how it played out.
She had spent the whole week in the bay area do SF, seeing the elephant seals, Santa Cruz, Monterey Aquarium, Climbing at PG, etc. and was getting pretty worn down. On Friday morning we visited my daughter's work in Palo Alto and then drove up 120. We stopped at Priest Station for burgers. Approaching the valley we stopped to take photos and they decided they wanted to go to Tunnel View so we did. We then visited Bridalveil Falls and the tyke thought that was great, especially playing in the creek.
Next we stopped at El Cap Bridge and after a bit I found a party climbing and set up the telephoto lens so she could look through it and get a feel for how big the big stone is. We then hiked up to the base of the nose.
The little legs were getting tired and it was late afternoon so we headed to the Ahwahnee where my wife and sister in law said they had got a room. I turns out it was the Mary Tressider Room on the 6th floor - the Queen's Suite. The tyke headed to the pool and was happy. After dinner in the dining room we all hit the sack. The three ladies in the king size and me on the roll away. I didn't sleep too well due to bursitis on the elbow, plantar fasciitis on the foot and the fact that the Ahwahnee isn't the quietest hotel I've ever stayed in.
Morning eventually came and the girls went down to breakfast while I drank three pots of coffee in the room and then made a deposit in the Queen's porcelain thunder mug. Then back to the pool for the kid and I hit the free coffee on the mezzanine. This was followed by an attempt to walk up to Mirror Lake but the kid was tired, grumpy and couldn't do it. We scrambled on some rocks, looked at the grinding holes and looked for climbers.
Back to the car and lunch at the village grill. The kid was burned out and there was much foot dragging. My sister in law said that she really wanted to see some sequoia trees so I decided to leave via the southern entrance. We drove to Wawona while the kid slept. Checked out the history center, hotel and got snacks and cold drinks at the store.
There were quite a few people at Mariposa Grove but we enjoyed it. We tried to hike up to the museum but by the time we got to the Faithful Couple the kid was out of go again so we went back to the car and headed home.
And, the closest my arse has been to royalty:
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phylp
Trad climber
Upland, CA
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Mar 28, 2015 - 02:41pm PT
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LOL! Great trip report.
Sounds like a good time.
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crankster
Trad climber
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Mar 28, 2015 - 05:06pm PT
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Big trees always impressive. The giant sequoias at Mariposa grove or the smaller groves at Crane Flat.
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looks easy from here
climber
Ben Lomond, CA
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Mar 28, 2015 - 08:44pm PT
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So #1 takeaway is "be flexible!" :D
That shot looking up the Nose is fantastic! I can't believe I've never been there.
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Ricky D
Trad climber
Sierra Westside
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Mar 28, 2015 - 09:33pm PT
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It's been a while since my kids were that age but I do remember how exciting it was for them to see real wildlife up close.
Smear a good sized dollop of peanut butter on their heads and have them play hide and seek in the bushes over by the rock wall say around half an hour after sundown.
Kids and Bears - so many good memories.
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Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
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Mar 29, 2015 - 08:02pm PT
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Pretty good - thanks for the report!
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KabalaArch
Trad climber
Starlite, California
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Mar 29, 2015 - 10:32pm PT
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I turns out it was the Mary Tressider Room on the 6th floor - the Queen's Suite.
Now THAT's a weird place. J'you check out the other rooms on that penthouse?
The small balcony was added for Queen Elizabeth's visit.
That's when there was that huge release from Elephant. HMS was on it, thankfully!
As you probably noticed, that floor level does not appear at the Lobby or other elevator vomitory stops.
Mystifying place, the Valley...the Sierra, for that matter-
Anyone driven the Pass between Walker and Tioga?
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Jones in LA
Mountain climber
Tarzana, California
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Mar 30, 2015 - 08:01am PT
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I was thrashing around in a cruel groove at the base of El Cap on Thursday, and had my eye out for you guys. Sorry I missed you by a day, glad you got to see the Big Trees!
Her memories of that trip will stay with her for the rest of her life, and you were fortunate enough to be part of it. Good job on the Valley tour, thanks for sharing the photos!
Rich Jones
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Mar 30, 2015 - 12:55pm PT
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Great TR
It always works out better when you adjust the plan to the kid's level of tiredness/enthusiasm. As you did.
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Texplorer
Trad climber
Sacramento
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Mar 30, 2015 - 03:40pm PT
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40 Gu packets and a liter of water and tell her to really go for it.
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