Project Yosemite

I believe you should not regret anything in life. I'd rather just have a (hopefully small) pile of bad decisions and mistakes that have formed life lessons. They might have taken me along a different pathway or caused me to diviate from the original plan but at least they are lessons learnt. One specific lesson I can pick up off the pile involves not preparing for a hike properly, leading to me not completing the trail I had been so eager to do. I don't regret my decision to turn around, I just wish I'd prepared more.

 

 Half Dome is a hike to be reckoned with. A 16 mile round trip starting out on the grassy floor of Yosemite National Park, California, winding up and over bridges, steep ledges, countless steps and stunning views, it eventually reaches the ultimate challenge - the Cables. An almost vertical half mile up the steep face of Half Dome, hauling yourself up with just the cables and chains to keep you safe, it's strenuous, dangerous, exhilarating and something I'd been dying to do since organising a trek around the US West Coast. However, due to many obstacles including waking up late, not having enough water, members in the group physically not able to handle the heat and a general concern for our overall safety, we decided to not complete the full hike, with three of us reaching the point just before the cables. It's hard not to regret the decision but I know that safety comes first. When you aren't carrying enough water and your body is crying out for a break, it's best to be level headed and sensible and start to head back. You may be feeling ok but what goes up must come down and you do not want to get stuck on the way back down after pushing too hard on the way up.

I'm forever dreaming about Yosemite and completing it's almighty Half Dome. I recently stumbled across this website Project Yosemite whilst killing time on my commute home. I then spent the next 25 minutes watching and re-watching the visually stunning time lapse videos on the opening page of the site, created by two talented men who's burning passion for Yosemite and its hauntingly beautiful scenery show through their footage and photography.

I was memorised by the vivid colours of the sunrises, the powerful shots of the seasons changing and the intensity given to such a seemly calm and peaceful valley. Visit http://www.projectyose.com/ and see what exactly I'm talking about. I literally feel that my words cannot do it justice and therefore wish to write no more. Head over and prepare to spend at least the next half an hour staring in awe and wonder - you may also feel the urge to add Yosemite to your bucket list if it isn't already near the top of it. Enjoy :)

"What Would You Pack For A Weekend Away?" #blog4trek

I've already mentioned what kind of luggage to consider when going travelling, whether it be a suitcase or a backpack. The next thing to think about is what to actually put into your luggage of choice. The excellent road trip style travel company TrekAmerica have asked "What Would You Pack For A Weekend Away?". Assuming you've already packed your essentials like a camera, toiletries and general clothing, here is my list of things I'd suggest packing and feel can be applied to any weekend away, whether you're being whisked off to New York City or enjoying a weekend exploring the English countryside.

• Sensible Shoes - regardless of where you're going, you're going to need to walk at some point. It may just be from the taxi to the hotel or it might be from the farm gate to the end of a 10 mile route but anything could happen and it's good to pack shoes that are comfortable. You might develop a killer blister or you could snap the strap on your favourite pair of heels. You may get soaked in a sudden shower of rain or you might simply realise your shoes of choice are rubbing. Even if it's just a pair of Converse to sling on,  it means for a weekend away you can take one pair of not so sensible shoes knowing you'll always have a backup. Pack a spare pair of socks whilst you're at it. 

• A Good Book - To make the travel time feel like minutes instead of hours. It can be a guide book or the latest Nicholas Sparks love story but a good book is the best way to take your mind off traffic/delays/the general stress that comes with travelling. If you're in a car, you may want to spend your time gazing out the window (especially on a Trek across the USA!) but if it's a couple hours on the train or in the air, bury your nose into a book and lose yourself.

•  Light Jacket/Cardigan - Going along the sensible route again...take a light jacket or cardigan, even if its mid summer. The weather can take you by surprise (Mother Nature - temperamental lady) and there's nothing worse than shivering in a sudden breeze and having to head inside sooner rather than later. Don't ruin your evening by wishing you were warmer.  

• A Travel Journal - When I went on my travels, my brother gave me the best going away present ever. He bought a really nice hardback travel diary and stuck a photo of the two of us on the front page. I used to write down funny events,  new friends' details, draw out maps, remember quotes and stuck in tickets, mementos and postcards. Take a travel journal along on your weekend and even if you don't actually write in it, you can still use it to stick your memories and postcards in, keeping them in a safe place. It was also a good place to keep addresses of friends, old and new. You never know who you'll want to get in touch with or think of whilst you're away. You may also want to blog about your weekend but only have time once you're back, so can write down your ideas and thoughts in there too.

• The word "YES" - Make sure you pack your PMA (positive mental attitude) and the best three letters in the world - Y-E-S. You may have your whole weekend planned out but always be prepared to explore in case you stumble across an unknown area of town you weren't planning on visiting or bump into someone on their way to what could be an amazing festival or event you hadn't heard of. Especially if you're  in a hostel or busy hotel, the potential is there to turn a simple weekend into a weekend of anything and everything possible. A weekend may only be a couple days but it can turn into the trip of a life time - make it happen.

CBx