Hello all. I'll be going to Yosemite for the first time in September for a week. After reading thru a guidebook of suggested hikes, reading this forum and looking at the Nat Geo Trails Illus. Map, I need some help. I would like to do an overnite hike and the rest dayhikes, however it seems 2 nites is really the minimum for a decent overnite. I don't want to rush and I know I will be stopping to take a ton of pix. Plus I'm a newbie to overnite backpacking. I've done alot of car camping in the past and I currently do alot of dayhiking. To prepare for this trip however, I will be doing a few local overnites (east coast) and on my dayhikes, I will be increasing my distances while wearing a loaded pack. So by trip time I will be a bit 'broken in', but still new to Yosemite. I need suggestions please for 1-2 nite overnites and have some other questions also. I apologize in advance for such a long post...I hope I don't get flamed!
1. The main hike I was focused on was something from TM to Sunrise to Clouds Rest to Happy Isle or some sort of variation btw TM and the Valley. Regardless of the combo, it looks like it would require 2 nites. I'm thinking I would really rather do just 1 nite. But I'm open to all suggestions, esp. if it would make for a better exp. and get me the most bang for the buck. It doesn't have to be TM to the Valley either. This type of route looks very popular (ie. crowded), so I'm open to suggestions for the less travelled. Any thoughts? (See next question though)
2. I originally planned on doing Half Dome, but after a recent trip to Mexico to see some Mayan ruins I'm re-thinking that hike and also now have pause for Clouds Rest. I climbed the Coba ruin and if anyone is familiar with it, it's the second highest pyramid in the Yucatan State (or pennisula, can't remember)...at any rate, it's high and steep. I got to the top, sat on the top step and couldn't move any farther. There's a platform just above but no way was I letting go of the rope to go completely to the top. Plus there were quite a few people around which freaked me out too. Going back down I was fine, but after that, I'm thinking summiting Half Dome may be a mistake. I've also read that Clouds Rest is a little hairy, so that might not be a good idea either. I'm not necessarily afraid of heights, but I do have a problem with narrow ledges. If it's wide with good footing and not alot of people around I'm ok.
3. There's a very good chance that I will be doing this trip solo...not my original plan, but s*@! happens. Alot could change btw now and then, but if not, being female, will I be safe doing an overnite? And I'm not talking about critters and bears. The rest of the week I'm staying in a hotel and I'm perfectly comfortable solo dayhiking, but I am a bit nervous about camping out in the wilderness alone. I'm not really looking for company and would actually prefer to be away from crowds, but at the same time I do have some concerns. Am I being paranoid?
4. Getting my gear there...check or mail? Some people seem to have no problem and for others it's a nightmare. Don't know if I can bring trekking poles or tent poles/stakes on board, but definitely not my knife and stove. And everyone seems to have a different exp every time...there's no consistency. Shipping seems to be my best bet. What are your experiences with this and where's the best place to ship to. I will be flying into San Fran and driving to Yos.
5. Anyone have any experience with the new SnowPeak Lite Max stove. I haven't bought a stove yet and this was one of my pics. The MSR Pocket Rocket is my other choice.
6. One more....a bit off topic, but has any one done any horseback riding. I am an experienced English Center Seat trained rider and wanted to maybe do a half or full day in TM. I would like to 'ride for real' not just get stuck in a group walk with a bunch of inexperienced track suit wearing 'city slickers' I haven't really researched this yet, but does anyone know if the rides are geared towards this or can they be tailored to exp. level?
I know that's alot and again I apologize for the long post. I hope my questions aren't too ignorant...we're all new at some point. And thank you all for your input...it's much appreciated! Lori