Trip Report
Yosemite Hoop Dance
Thursday April 9, 2015 2:59pm
Hi, y'all
I had the chance to go to Yosemite with a total novice. It's a fun story.

I was at Lover's Point in Pacific Grove. I go there to boulder. It's a small point of ancient Sierra Nevada granite, cut loose and wandering on the Pacific tectonic plate. It's an idyllic spot. The masonry surrounding the cove has abundant bouldering and only two 'No Climbing' signs.
A hula hooper on the point was so captivating that I watched her dance from afar for most of an hour.
Awhile later, while reconnecting with one climber buddy, up comes a third climber friend accompanied by the hula hooper. We all get a kick when it's discovered that hooper and I share the same name. We are both Brook(es). She gets a good laugh when I tell her of my "strict No Brookes Policy" based on the discomfort of saying your own name during lovemaking. That joke has never landed so well.
Young Brooke has just dropped out of college and taken a month long trip to Thailand. It's clear that she is hungry for experience. It took about 10 minutes to find out that she has never been to Yosemite. That's right. Never been. She grew up just 4 hours away. It took another hour to convince her to drive us to Yosemite for a week.
A week later we walked in to El Capitan Meadows.

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Touching Noses
Touching Noses
Credit: Flip Flop
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"This is a special  place for a lot of people"
"This is a special place for a lot of people"
Credit: Flip Flop
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We walked to Lower Yosemite Falls and the trail was completely empty. I was enjoying Brooke's beginner's luck.
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Timeless
Timeless
Credit: Flip Flop
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In addition to never being in Yosemite, young Brooke has never been climbing. I wasn't concerned about physical ability. Her yoga and hooping athleticism made it clear that she could be a better climber than I ever was, by a long shot. And there was a fearlessness and sense of adventure that inspired confidence. I've taught a lot of novices and have a fair nose for natural climbers. My nose nailed it this time. This kid has natural ability. But we didn't have any climbing shoes.

Our first full day started with some rock climbing at Swan Slabs. After some substantial successes in Chuck Taylor's on 5.1-5.4 we made a friend.
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A match made in heaven.
A match made in heaven.
Credit: Flip Flop
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This is Haylee. Haylee is from England and very excited. She's been here a week and the rangers are already trying to shuffle her along.Haylee came wandering up with her brand new, unused tarantulaces from the message board and a borrowed monster crash pad. She also had never climbed. There was much rejoicing as climbing fun was high for everyone involved. Somewhere in a tourists camera is video that may end up here:

And pictures of Devil's Bathtub might go here:

And then we hiked half dome. And there might not be any pictures. But they would be amazing. There was just enough snow to make the peaks shine. The spring runoff filled the falls and we walked nearly alone.
I wanted to get us up the cables. I chose a lightweight short rope, a few slings and a few carabiners. We tied in with bowlines and started up twice. The first time with the line doubled and us short roping and the second with the rope extended to its full 100'. She would have followed but was also reaching the limit of her comfort zone. We were relieved to experience the rarity of our high point. I love summits and I tend to want to linger. But summits don't define success. And this trip was a success from beginning to end. We made it to the top of the mist trail in the last light. I was pushing for the longer JMT. She said no and down the Mist Trail we went. The days melt had increased the wetness and I'll admit to being very protective of my young charge. I'd like to compliment the trail builders and give a shout out to Jaybo and the other Trail Builders who've treated me right over the years. We were down in short order and a day in hammocks was definitely earned. We both brought hammocks and found perfect hangs in the downed oak in the meadow.
There had been a hanfdful of Topropes but more rock clinic was in order. We made a day of toproping, rappelling, leading, cleaning and following with another 8-10 runs on Swan Slabs. Haylee had been extra excited all day. She hadn't accompanied us to Half Dome and we returned to find her planning to hobo the John Muir Trail. I say hobo because these kids have that can-do native energy that won't be denied. Brooke had just hiked half dome in Chuck Taylor's and Haylee was going to panhandle the JMT in Espadrilles if she had to. These girls started to snicker at me with my "appropriate footwear" comments and reproach to pay attention while belaying the scared leader.
You couldn't ask for a better first timer. We were on the face closest to the trail. Brooke powered through a couple of mantles with double-foot frog hops. It looked great and a family gathered, 3 teenage Latina girls and a few parents. As soon as Brooke stood on the second mantle she innocently and joyously yelled "Holy F*#k!" The crowd went wild. It was a beautiful beautiful moment. 6 days of them.
I knew what had happened in an instant. Brooke was climbing the 5.6 layback and Haylee was drawn to the tree growing from the base of the cliff. She chimneyed up a move and hung out. Then a quick slip and a hunkered silence. She'd be engaging in some regret and internal self loathing right about now.
"Did you just do your ankle?" She had.
I wondered how many people had twisted their ankle in the same way in the same place.
I was genuinely conciliatory. I am also a bit socially dysfunctional. In my mind I thought that a little ankle twist might help temper her enthusiasm with caution. I can also admit to doing the math on the climbing shoes and possibilities for the next day. Bad person that I am.
Brooke was about ready to go home. It had been almost 5 days and that's a lot to take in. I had been taking some sound advice from the community here and paying close attention to Brooke's comfort level. I was also aware that I am responsible for the final outcome.
So I pushed a little. " I really think that a longer climb in the morning will be the perfect topper for this trip. You've earned the skills and now you're ready. We'll finish in time to get back home tomorrow night. This will really be a different kind of experience. What do you think?"
What do you think? So we did After 6 on Manure Pile Buttress. It was perfect. Just like the whole trip.
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First trip to the Valley ever.
First trip to the Valley ever.
Credit: Flip Flop
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First rock climbing trip.
First rock climbing trip.
Credit: Flip Flop
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Smiles for miles
Smiles for miles
Credit: Flip Flop
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Credit: Flip Flop
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Born to climb.
Born to climb.
Credit: Flip Flop
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First....this
First....this
Credit: Flip Flop
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Summit Yoga
Summit Yoga
Credit: Flip Flop
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Credit: Flip Flop
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The Brookes take Yosemite
The Brookes take Yosemite
Credit: Flip Flop
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The Hoop
The Hoop
Credit: Flip Flop
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Haylee wants to climb more.
Haylee wants to climb more.
Credit: Flip Flop
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Flip Flop
About the Author
Flip Flop is a dad climber found in the wilderness.

Comments
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
  Apr 9, 2015 - 03:05pm PT
Nice!! Well played sir! Looks like a fun time was had by all.
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
  Apr 9, 2015 - 11:09pm PT
To be young and having love and Yosemite at your finger tips. . .

Go IN GLORY! FLIP FLOP


EDIT
What the H Éé double hockey sticks! Gill James?!!
looks easy from here

climber
Santa Cruzish
  Apr 9, 2015 - 03:55pm PT
my "strict No Brookes Policy" based on the discomfort of saying your own name during lovemaking

You're clearly not as much of a narcissist as I am. :p

Looks like a great time. Glad you got there while it was still sunny and green!
'Pass the Pitons' Pete

Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
  Apr 9, 2015 - 04:17pm PT
Looks like you guys had a great time! Come back during wall season for beers.

Me? Pissed? Why? I don't get it....
'Pass the Pitons' Pete

Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
  Apr 9, 2015 - 04:32pm PT
Ain't no limit on cute girls round 'ere, mate! Post 'em up. Old, young, in between - we love 'em all.

You're that Birchey guy, right? One of those anonymous avatar types?
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
  Apr 9, 2015 - 04:42pm PT
Altruistic mentoring eh? Not by a long shot.

Fun report!
Flip Flop

climber
Earth Planet, Universe
Author's Reply  Apr 9, 2015 - 06:32pm PT
Cmon Jim,
As you know, when men reach a certain age they aren't interested in beautiful 20 year old women. Like at 94 or 95.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
  Apr 9, 2015 - 07:09pm PT
Very nice, Flip!
Flip Flop

climber
Earth Planet, Universe
Author's Reply  Apr 11, 2015 - 11:29am PT
Poor Haylee girl is hiding out in Mariposa.


Update: Haylee found some peeps and work in Mariposa. Phew.
Larry Nelson

Social climber
  Apr 9, 2015 - 10:49pm PT
An eye candy TR. Looks like fun all around. TFPU
Flip Flop

climber
Earth Planet, Universe
Author's Reply  Apr 11, 2015 - 09:37am PT
Not eye candy. Soul food.

Here's the original Seven Days in the Valley thread with some fun commentary.
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/2596949/Seven-Days-In-The-Valley
Big Mike

Trad climber
BC
  Apr 12, 2015 - 09:37am PT
Nice work Flop.

You got her hooked and she'll be back for more..

The cables sound sketch when they are down. Remind me to do snake dike with Sandra in the fall when they are still up... Lol
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Apr 12, 2015 - 11:24am PT
Wonderful TR,
Great stoke!!
Flip Flop

climber
Earth Planet, Universe
Author's Reply  Apr 12, 2015 - 11:44am PT
Big Mike,
We hung out at the base and watched a couple come down after snake dike. It was slow and they looked kinda bummed. We were all hoops and cloudy smiles. I'd say wait till the cables are up;)
Go