Half Dome is over. I thought there would be pleas to Jesus and messy snorts & sobs of frustration along the way, but the entire trip was a lot of fun. I did it, I lived.
I climbed the entire thing in a blue plaid shirt, a ridiculous cowboy hat, and my shiny aviator sunglasses—my summit-conquering hillbilly garb, y'all. Moreover, it was an gorgeous day trip—I hiked 15 miles with a 4,800 ft elevation gain to nearly 9,000 ft, resulting in a chipped tooth (sigh), a 400 ft cable climb, 5 tattered fingers, and a black bear encounter. (Roger & the boys got within 15 feet of it as the girls scurried up the trail, plunging onward.)
Mum's "Marmalade Fires" reminds me of what it felt like at the top of Half Dome—an exquisite, post-glow exhaustion making itself comfortable in my bones, setting up happy residence as we marinated in the sun, ate m&ms, and gazed upon the Yosemite valley floor. "Marmalade Fires" is expansive, fugitive, and sweetly whimsical. I am listening to it now, overcome with inspiration and sentiment. It's a marvelous, vivid tune.
I want to drink from life in big gulps. Time to ready myself for something new, something harder. The Grand Canyon? Colorado? Zion National Park? I'm still awake and puttering around the internet—researching, scheming & dreaming out loud.
My, my, I'm bitten.
Marmalade Fires - Mum | purchase (xo, Letters Have No Arms! Thanks for reminding me of their upcoming release!)
How do high altitudes result in chipped teeth?
Yay, Mum!
Posted by: Katie | July 20, 2009 at 09:40 AM
Me too! me too!!! The post-vacation-sitting-at-my-desk depression is horrible today. I want to go out and conquer another trail or peak!
And great song!
Posted by: Roger | July 20, 2009 at 09:55 AM
Go you! That is awesome (except for the chipped tooth, that's no fun).
Posted by: Jill Pilgrim | July 20, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Congratulations! You are a much braver person than I.
I am, however, sad for your tooth.
Posted by: Kim | July 20, 2009 at 11:45 AM
I chipped my bottom front tooth in the dumbest way EVER - while drinking from my camelbak. I don't know how I bit the mouthpiece the wrong way, but I figured it out somehow .... ridiculous, ridiculous!
And thanks everyone, it was such a fun trip, xo.
Posted by: me | July 20, 2009 at 04:15 PM
Even though you chipped your tooth; the great distant picture of you displays the absolute heavenly joy you were experiencing Liz! Thanks for the great pic's and beautiful experience you shared with us.
Posted by: Keith | July 20, 2009 at 07:40 PM
Thanks for letting me live vicariously through your adventures (and this one was a doozy)! Love the blog, btw. It's the first thing I check in the morning, and the last in the evening. You are doing a great job with it!
Posted by: Matt Pearce | July 20, 2009 at 08:39 PM
...And Liz, I once walked out of a bar, stepped on a rock and broke bones in my foot. So I think chipping your tooth on a camelback (while hiking up el cap) is really not the "dumbest" way ever. I could give you many, many more examples of dumbest-est.
Posted by: Matt Pearce | July 20, 2009 at 09:14 PM
go, you! sounds like a great adventure, and you look fab is the blue plaid. one must always travel in style. :)
Posted by: Allison | July 21, 2009 at 11:17 AM
So cool. Congratulations! Love the view - wow.
If you're going to chip a tooth, that's probably one of the best ways to do it (vs. tripping on the sidewalk or some other slightly awkward experience that would have to be repeated).
Posted by: A. Parker | July 22, 2009 at 06:47 AM