Yosemite

The Merced Runs Through It

Original Watercolor 15" x 22"

by Bill Hudson

With Custom Frame.................$1,650

 “Atmospheric rivers” and the consequent snow melt of 2023 have added to the spirit and energy of Yosemite.

Yosemite and Half Dome

by Bill Hudson

Last week’s LA Times posted an article on a 93-year-old man who skydived at age 92 and just finished hiking to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite. The article brought back great memories.

As a young 24-year-old engineer I reported for sky diving three times only to be repeatedly denied because of high winds and aircraft mechanical problems. I accepted the cancellations as a message. But, a few years ago my son-in-law asked, “Hey Bill, wanna jump out of an airplane?” After having 70+ years of living already under my belt, I said, “Sure” and we took off for Pacific Coast Skydiving at Brown Field Airport near San Diego.

The anxiety on his young face told me he was experiencing a higher level of fear as we sat on the aircraft floor, staring out the open doorway, while the plane climbed to 10,000 feet. But we both jumped, and I believe we felt the same comfort when our 120 mph freefall was interrupted with the secure tug of an opening parachute.

Many years prior in the early ‘90s, our family of 8 kids was into camping. During the first week of August in 1991 we all left for Yosemite with my sister Kathy and her two sons. Our timing was perfect to witness the spectacular nightly display of the yearly Perseid Meteor Shower. Each day we hiked to nearby waterfalls building up the courage to finally tackle the 17-mile round trip to the top of Half Dome which sits at 8,835 feet elevation, or 4,800 feet above the Yosemite Valley floor. Though it is commonly referred to as “one of the most dangerous hikes in the United States,” hundreds of accidents, but only 31 deaths have been recorded as of 2018.¹ And since 2010, permits now limit daily hikers to 300 to reduce mishaps.

In anticipation, we didn’t get much sleep the night before. Maybe it was nervous stomachs. But the tent full of boys kept the entire campsite awake while they laughed every few minutes during their all-night farting contest. Even two rangers, on their midnight check commented, “What the ….. stinks so bad?” as they walked past the completely sealed tent.

At 5 AM, an hour before sunrise, we left our campsite with a flashlight as I led 6 of the oldest kids a mile through the valley to begin the 4,800-foot ascent. The first 4,400 feet were incredible beauty and only moderately difficult. Our slow-but-steady group was passed by just a couple of European guys wearing nothing but speedos, and a 70-year-old lady with steady legs of steel.

That afternoon we reached the Subdome with its intimidating steep granite walls. We stopped, looked toward the summit, and observed a line of brave hikers marching toward the final 400-foot climb… straight up the granite face aided with only a pair of cables and some wooden slats. This was the “Holy Shit” moment when fear raced through everyone’s mind, and even the bravado of youth seemed to disappear.

That old 70-year-old lady never even slowed down as I compared her unintimidated approach to my crippling fears. Did I have what it takes mentally and physically? I wouldn’t need an answer. For at that moment, fate intervened! As the 4 oldest kids started forward, my 13-year-old daughter Valerie and 10-year-old son Will began to tear up. Both confessed, “Dad, I’m scared.” "Yes! Oh thank you, God," I had an out. So without revealing my relief, I stayed with my two youngest who obviously needed company far more than I needed to conquer Half Dome. 

As anxiety left my body, everything suddenly changed again. My young son Will, sniffled, inhaled deeply, wiped his eyes, and declared, “I’m gonna do it!” And Val, seeing Will’s determination, followed with equal conviction, “Me too, Will.”