Teenage Hiker Killed From Slip On Yosemite's Mist Trail

Sorry to interrupt this hike-a-louge, but I found it to be eery timing. 

On Wednesday night, 17-year-old Kao Kue of Fresno died from head injuries sustained when he slipped and fell on the popular Mist Trail at Yosemite,

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/11/kao-kue-dies-teenage-yosemite-hiker_n_925041.html

YIKES!!!


It feels like my most favorite place on Earth has become a death trap this month!  5 people killed on the highway to Half Dome. 

Ugg!

Mist Trail Part 2

I tried to find actual measurements of how long the Mist Trail is, or its actual elevation gain... but I couldn't. All those numbers seem to be built into the the entire length for the Vernal Falls or Nevada Falls trail.  

But the trail does consist of about 700 granite steps of all sorts of sizes and shapes with a elevation incline of 600 feet.  

Shannon captured some video from the Vernal Falls Bridge.  You can see the strong flow!

The minute I started to feel the mist on my skin I halted.  Time to prep!  I took out my bright yellow rain jacket, binder clips and plastic bags with rubber bands!

Bright yellow rain coat over me and my large bag.  Clipped 2 binger clips on the top of my hat to keep my head covered. Then I clipped 1 binder clip to my back so I wouldn't blow away.

Then I wrapped 1 plastic back around my ankle and secured each with a rubber band to make make-shift gators.  I didn't want the mist and water to get into my boots. 

At this point, we got separated from Mike, Becky and Travis. Shannon and Brian stayed behind me gearing up with rain gear.  The memories of my cold flesh from the last time I did this hike solidified my decision to suit up.

This part is kinda hard on my knees.  I'm grateful I had poles this time. I'm grateful for the rain protection. But the truth is, we still got wet.  The spray of the waterfall was still really strong. Perhaps the same amount of flowing water from the last time. Why that is significant is because this time, it was 3 months later when the flow of this snow fed waterfall usually is almost a trickle.

Again, Shannon captured a piece of the hike up the mist trail.  Brian's back place center stage next to the Merced.

Shannon also captured a few photos of Brian and I!

Slowly but surely, we made it up the the top of Vernal Falls.

The Mist Trail

Well, there is a reason why they call it the mist trail..

The first time that Brian and I did Vernal Falls as our destination... we were NOT prepared for the mist trail. We were in short sleeves and it was May... not out of the ordinary, but the freezing cold freshly melted snow packed water of the Merced has a heavy, cold spray!

These photos are from 2008.  For Half Dome, I had the "Been there, photographed that" attitude.  I mean, in my own defense, I didn't want to max out before I got to the top.  That being said, I was bummed post hike that I didn't have proper 2011 photos!

Rainbows are often seen on this trail with all the mist.

The strength of the waterfall in May

Brian with is exposed skin tries to block the mist from his face.  It was so cold, it felt like the beginning states of windburn and front bite!

The mist collected on my sun glasses.

Vernal Falls: A Glimpse

We trudge on.  Is trudge an appropriate word to use?  We are are the trail for 45 minutes.  Already, the elevation gain feels intense.  I'm out of breathe, but truthfully, the grade is is about 25 or 30 degrees and we're still on the pavement.  We keep drinking our water because we have 1 more spot to fill up.  After that, we are on our own.

Becky and Travis have a nice water filter, so they are our back up in case we run out of water. But considering I'm carrying 5 liters of water, I think I'm good!

We can hear the waterfalls. Vernal is coming on. I'm excited to see the flow.  Knowing that the park got 200% snow pack these year means major flow even this far into July!

 And here we are! Vernal Falls.

This is a flow we would normally see in April and May when the snow begins to melt.  Check out how big these boulders are! Its incredible to think that glacial activity moves these!

And here off to left, Mike is topping off his water supply. Right after this, we are officially on the Mist Trail.  Wonder why they call it the Mist Trail?... 

Mile Zero

We made it!!! 

 Well, to the trail head that is.

See all the smiles? Those are perfectly healthy young men and women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s... pre a 18 mile hike...

The sign shows Half Dome being 8.2 miles away...  How hard can it be?  Forget the weight on my back!  I'm armed with my gloves and hat, and headlamp (still lit in this picture)  We are moments from breaking dawn.  Its right about 5:45 am at this point.  We are ready to go!

And right after this photo, my small Nikon camera ran out of batteries. But have no fear! I brought two extra sets!  Where are they??? in my car, which is back at housekeeping camp... sleeping.

Getting Started

I woke at 4 am not really getting much sleep as it was.  I forced myself into bed at like 9 pm... the anticipation was just killing me!  I could feel myself being reactive and not in any glow-y nice way.   I must have woken every 30 minutes. I could hear Becky and Travis whispering.  Under my blanket... I was so aware and awake!

I knew my nerves would kill me. So sleep it must be.

I packed up my bag as much as possible, throwing the entire thing in a bear box to eliminate the need for pulling Chapstick, vaseline and cliff bars out in the dark, at the quiet campground.  Water bladders were filled. Lunch, made.  All I had to do was get dressed, get the camera ready and get going!

I was expecting us to be on the trail at 4:45 am, but when all was said it done, it took 45 minutes just for everyone to be almost ready.

I put my pack on for the first time. Water, Camera, Pole and all. OMG. It was HEAVY.

And the temperature was cold!  I'm glad I grabbed my hat and gloves before I headed out the door on Wed.

Raymond, Becky's dad, graciously agreed to drive us to the trailhead eliminating the need to find parking and then an additional walk.

Shannon & Me in the back of my car

We all piled in, Shannon and Me in the back and Raymond took us as far as he could... about 200 feet from the trailhead. Not far... but knowing what we had ahead of us... and what was already on my back, it was annoying.  

The journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step.  We stepped. And we smiled!  This was gonna be GREAT!

I'm so excited, I wanna throw up!

Yesterday was our last full day to pack!  I half most of my bags packed. Camera gear, food, clothes all that stuff laid out on the kitchen table!

I can't believe it! So close!  Its gonna be GREAT!