Well this was amazing. Would recommend, 5 stars.
All honeymoon pics
Up early, but not too early. Bought some cereal and pop tarts in the shop last night for the perfect breakfast. The valley was great in the morning light, lighting up the dawn wall of El Cap. Had thought about getting the bus but reckoned the 2k extra walking would be grand. Arrived at the car park at about 7:50am, which was perfect, and headed off. Cold starting and only got 300m before Gina had to find a bathroom. I watched some deer in the middle of the campsite, and half asleep people being very surpsied by them on their way to their morning relief break while I waited.
Once on the trail it kicked up fairly straight away. Had a big group walking very quick and taking frequent breaks for the first bit who we tried to get away from. Hard to have enough water, drank loads and refilled at the early refil station. Once we got away from the big crowd stopped often for pics because it was amazing. At about the 45 min mark we were asked to take a photo by the first waterfall by a Catalonian couple. We obliged, they returned the favour and the lady asked if we were orienteers, with our CNOC tops on. She was too, knowing some of the Spanish names so we made our first new friends.
We kind of traded places with them the whole way up then. Quick food stop on the hour mark before a flatter bit before the second waterfall. Just generally had a nice time chatting and looking at the views. Another big kick past the next waterfall and then there was a decent flat sandy part, at like 1900m. We were one of the quicker pairs for the next part then passing some people until a viewing spot of Half Dome. Took out the small binoculars and had a look at the ants climbing the ropes. This was maybe not the best plan as gave a real sense of what was ahead! Had lunch shortly after (mmm cold pizza!), just above 2000m before the final press for the summit.
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