I’m starting to fade now after some food.  Starting to fade again might be more like it, as I was fading on the trail not long ago.  We had a big day today in Tuolome Meadows, eleven hours on the go.  Tuolome Meadows is the high county portion of Yosemite National Park.  We didn’t get much time to rest as most of our time on the ground was in hot pursuit by mosquitos. Our alpine climbing trip seems to have coincided with California’s mosquito hatch.

Three hours of hiking early this morning led us to the base of Mathes Crest, a mile long ridge traverse that goes at 5.7.  The climbing went quickly and we finished the ridge traverse in about two hours. 

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Matthes Crest is an extremely long knife edge fin that cuts across a spectacular part of Tuolumne. It is sought after for its length, moderate grade, and the unique element of a huge fin traverse in an awe inspiring area of the country. The Matthes Crest Traverse is a true 5 star classic route characterized by mostly 4th class climbing with the occasional fifth class section. With immense exposure on many sections it offers a rare experience to enjoy such a long moderate route in an idyllic setting. Located in a region completely invisible to tourists or road traffic, it gives the true feel of a backcountry alpine climb.

-from mountainproject.com

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Three miles of cross country hiking then brought us to Cathedral Peak.  Cathedral Peak is about 700 ft. tall and 5.6 or 5.7.  We seemed drawn to the 5.7 bits, and thus that was our experience.  There are many ways to wander up the broad face of the peak.  It is considered one of the best moderate alpine climbs in the area, so we felt compelled to climb it as well.  Cody and his brother who had accompanied us on Mathes Crest, napped at the base while Lisa and I rallied for another climb.

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One of the most stunning peaks in Yosemite, Cathedral is blessed with some great moderate climbing. 

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We chose for the fast, and ahem, very light method of climbing.  The climb went without a hitch and in an hour we were at the summit.  There were other climbers and equally as friendly marmots at the summit to greet us.  

A final two hours or so returned us to our car, very tired.  

Brown clouds hung over western california today, a result of the many wild fires ablaze in the state.    Our air quality was quite good with the exception of the clouds of mosquitos.  It’s great to have this opportunity to climb some of California’s best mountains.  Many of these peaks I’ve read about over the years.    

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