After a night behind the rockpiles, we rise early and pack the climbing gear.

After hiking up the Mist Trail and past Vernal Falls we look back at Nevada Falls.

Hiking cross country now we cross a snow field in the shadow of a smaller granite dome.  My legs got a few scratches as we do not travel along any trails.

We see a landmark called Lost Lake.  Lots of green in this marshy lake.

Our hiking ends when we get to the start of the rock climbing route.  No one is in front of us, a nice situation for such a popular route.

The steepness is apparent in this shot of Rick.

Can you see the rock feature that gives the route it's name.  It is a seam of rock that has much different properties and quality than the more uniform, smooth and mostly featureless monolith.

Climbing the dike is like climbing a ladder.   But the fixed anchors are very far apart.  This creates a situation called runout.  Lots of runout means the leader may have a long way to fall before the rope starts to arrest his fall.  Kind of spooky, but not really deadly.

Lots of time for hokey pics.  That me and Greg.

Greg on lead.  Rick and Greg alternate leading and I just sort of stay in the middle, really easy for me.

Here is Rick.

This is Greg and Rick.

A shot of me off the dike and onto a smooth section of granite.  I asked for this shot to be taken as I casually wave, I am actually pretty wound up inside at that point.

After walking up a long way after the climbing we pose for a shot.  Lots of people on top, look behind us in this photo.  Then it's a long fast hike down, with a pause at the Emerald Pool.   A very memorable day and lots of fun.