Tag: Yosemite
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Day 128. – It’s A Rodeo

We’re running a bit behind today. So when we arrive be sure you take in as much as possible. Try to meet some locals, there should be a few family members in the crowd about to watch their son last the 8 seconds on the bulls… Or the market storefronts have some pretty good looking…
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Day 127. – Just Peak It

Okay, today is the day. Check and double check everything is packed because we’re going up the 4 pitches to the top. The plan is simple, grab a lift to the top of the forest and lock up the mountain bikes. Ascend the hike to the Sundial cliff face and complete the multiple pitches to the…
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Day 126. – Lost At Lake Jocassee

We’ve got a plan, all we need to is get up early enough to get the job done. Today it’s a bit different. Up early and into the car, we’re out on the lake all day but first, we need to drop Jarryd and Dean off in the Kayaks for some scouting.
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Day 125. – Pack For Foley Beach

Pack everything… we’re leaving late afternoon and heading coastal. It’s a surf trip and we’ve got the car, surfboards and big smiles. Coach managed to snag a few waves but the surf isn’t anything to write home about. It’s good that the pier and a sunset delivers!
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Day 124. – The New climb Spot

Okay, you’ve got the entire day off. Let’s get up, put the paces on it, grab some coffee and head past ‘granddads apples’ farm. But first we’ll detour for a swim at Whales Back Falls and get the Sundial climb in first (might take a nap here). After we’ll head across to this new spot…
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Day 123. – The Almost Failed Multi-Pitch

Okay, we’ve got leave sorted, a vehicle booked, the climbing gear double checked and packed away. All we need is the good weather… which is one thing Pisgah national park cannot always promise. With the morning starting off bright and sunny Grant and I hit the sundial pitch at Looking-glass. Luckily we packed enough for…
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Day 122.- Aptly Named. Rainbow Falls!

Turn that radio up… ‘Call Me Maybe’ is pumping and the van full of kids know all the words. It’s a 45min drive so pack lunch for 13 and hit the path that circles Pisgah National Park. We’re on our hike and swim to Rainbow and Turtleback falls. Plus if there is the time we’ll finish…
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Day 121. – On Break Hikes

It’s rest hour which means the camp is quiet. Too quiet, but also quiet enough to recon a few hiking trails in the mountains before the climbing trip leaves. Pack light and be quick.. we’re on a tight schedule before we need to jump across to climb Looking Glass (again)..
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Day 117. – Learning The Ropes

Climbing training becoming time-consuming and distracting. It also seems that my memory has began freeing up space (like peoples names, basic geography and what I was about to say) to create room for these new knots I’m learning. Today was all about trad gear, climbing revision and dropping in on a few canyoning spots around Brevard,…
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Day 116. – Camping Sites and Mountain Bikes

Pile into the Van, Pack everything but forget those essentials like a toothbrush, deodorant or a sleeping mat). We’ve got food for three days, which should hold us until Tuesday although i’m not sure if we packed the right tarps to sleep under… We’ll be taking this camping gear and mountain bikes to visit a…
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Day 115. – Climbing Looking Glass

It’s the perfect temperature, the sun is under a thin layer of cloud and there is no wind. Hike up with 2x 70m of rope around your neck and be sure to use this time to recite and remember that knots training on the way. We’re going to apply the final parts of training today…
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Day 113. – Granite City Abseil

Hey Mum, I’m really sorry I didn’t call on Mothers Day, or the day after, or the day after that. I’ve been both under and above ground on caving and abseil training with a group of legends. This is the first of many training missions and the team couldn’t be happier.
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Day 109. – Yo Yosemite

How to tick Yosemite off the Bucket list: Book your solo flight out of Australia, meet up with two other Aussies and don’t forget to find a token New Zealander to bring along. Pile into the hire car and head 300km directly across the flat landscape national park, stopping regularly to check out the terrible…