Yosemite 231

On May 29th at 3:30 am, I arrived in the valley after a grueling drive from San Diego, slingshotting through the Sierras. Despite the exhaustion, I wasted no time and dove headfirst into moderate and challenging climbing. Thankfully, the transition into my job here and the provided housing went smoothly. However, I noticed a stark contrast in the atmosphere compared to last summer. A new wave of individuals, predominantly below the age of 22, has joined the community, bringing a different dynamic to the surroundings. They appear lively but inexperienced in their surroundings. The valley has been captivating, adorned with fresh cascades at every turn, while existing ones have grown in size and strength. The majority of the meadow has succumbed to flooding, and numerous creeks and waterways have emerged, saturating the landscape more than usual. This winter was extraordinary for much of the western region, particularly in this area. It's so damn easy to get lost in a spot like this and forget all your troubles. I mean, it's one of those places where you can find yourself, but at the same time, you might lose bits of yourself along the way. It's like this all-consuming vortex, especially for those young, fired-up climbers. Everyone here whether you are coming from California or as I have met coming from the Ukraine we are all so lucky to live in a place like this. Its inspiring as much as it is strengthening.

I’m glad to be back and excited for this climbing season with the new friends and folks we might come across.