El Capitan

Week 3 (first part!) Yosemite.
Another bucket list destination no longer I dream about being here. Too many times have I watched Alex Honell in free solo and wanted to be here. So this week I made it happen.
During this trip I have visited many National parks, Yellowstone, Glacier, Tetons, Grand Canyon, all were amazing, BUT Yosemite, WOW, you didn’t disappoint. Truly a magical experience on a personally special day. Entering the park to see Half dome ahead of me, then hiking round the base of El Cap between the redwoods it was truly the stuff of dreams. I was blown away by its grandeur and majesty. Spending a few nights camped in the tranquility of the park and meeting the climbers. Definitely worth the drive. In life we are presented with mountains to climb, some may seem too big, too painful, too hard, but one step at a time you can circumnavigate them whilst still admiring their beauty. Not every mountain has to be climbed if it’s too hard or it’s more pain than pleasure. I had to hurt to know who I am and what I am capable of. I am capable of so much, but some mountains are not worth the brutality of the climb. Life is better experienced walking around it, avoiding its harshness, it’s deathly faces, it’s pitfalls and enjoying the hike around. For me, like life I will choose the mountains I’m prepared to scale, and those that I’m happy to let others have a go at. El Capitan is one to be circumnavigated, one for the truly brave, or crazy and that my friends is not me.
After my fill of the mountains I once again crave the sea. A surfer told me Hawaii is good this time of year so I’m off to catch a flight…. Watch this spaceRead more