Musings
The Marmot
The marmot lies on gray rock, a mass of skin and soft fur; he rests, soaks up sun. He wears a blanket of his own silvery-brown comfort, glinting in…
Remember the Sky
Remember the river? Your toes curl over slippery rocks, soft gush twists through the valley bound by sprouted grass, thin strokes shivering in the breeze. Remember the mountains? Enormous bodies…
Amazing trail, amazing people
John Muir Trail hikers rave about its extraordinary scenery, but perhaps for once we should rave about its extraordinary hikers. Among this year’s class are U.S. Army Sgt…
Read maps’ fine print to discover diverse history
A map of the Sierra Nevada mountains reads like a fascinating history book. If you study one, you’ll read scores of names from European American men of the 19th…
Yosemite ranger reflects on “the most beautiful place in the world”
Shelton Johnson, an interpretive ranger who’s educated visitors to Yosemite National Park for more than 24 years, shared these thoughts and insights in a special interview with Hayate Moro…
Yosemite first-timer had “a really great experience”
I’m hanging off the side of a rock ready to take my next steps up and not fall. I look down at the ground far below. The only thing…
Plastic: not fantastic for Earth, wildlife or us
Would it be possible to go a full day without using any plastic? For the majority of us across the world, the answer is no. There are little things you…
“Fool’s gold” can forge golden memories
We reached the foot of the mountain early, which should have tipped us off; climbing trips never go ahead of schedule. But the summit looked inviting and achievable, so the…
Bidding farewell to Royal Robbins
We bid a sad but fond farewell to Royal Robbins, who died this week at age 82. The noted climber who pioneered routes on Half Dome and El Capitan not…
Roust the rebels from our mountains
“May God have mercy on Bobby Lee, for I will have none,” decreed Union General Joe Hooker during the Civil War. His druthers are my druthers. Confederates have invaded the…