Well, I had a beautiful trip, although I didn't accomplish nearly what I intended to accomplish.
Not enough training this year, plus I was attempting too much weight, and distance.
Nevertheless, I had a great trip!

I knew enough early on to cut my trip short.
I only did about 15 miles instead of my expected 30.
That's OK.

By nightfall, when I wasn't even to Clouds Rest yet, I set up camp.
I had intended to be past Clouds Rest, and mostly to Half Dome before camping but I saw that just wasn't going to happen.
Time to recalculate my trip.

Second morning, I went for Clouds Rest with only a daypack.
I've already decided to not make the entire trip, but to enjoy what I can accomplish decently instead.
​I'm here for a vacation, not a "Challenge!"
​
I'm including my video short here, "Summiting Clouds Rest with a GoPro."
This only shows my last 10-15 minutes of the hike to the summit, but shows some of the best hiking of the entire trip.
You know, the most exciting.

​I have another longer video I'm working on which shows more of the trip.
​I'll post it later with the account of the entire trip, but for now...

It was quite the trip, I must say.
To start with, I bit off more than I could chew, as the saying goes.
Too much weight, too much distance, and not enough training.
But, I know when to call it quits.
Because of that, I had a blast!
(Although I am quite sore!)

But what a story!
I was especially impressed with the campfire I was FORCED to have!

So, here's the story:

It was my second night. 
Read more later about the complete trip, but for now just let me tell you this really interesting story about my campfire night.

At check-in we were told that we could have campfires, but not above 9,000'.
I didn't care since I had no intention of having a campfire, even though I love them.

Well, at my second night's campsite, (right behind my wind-protective rock,) I found a log burning.
It was just outside of the fire-pit you see, (on the left there.)
One single log, all by itself, outside the fire-pit, and it had 6-inch flames flaring up off of it!
No one was around, so I put it into the fire-pit and went about my business.
(You can see where it was on the left there, and how I scraped the soil after moving it to be assured there was no fire going to start from it.)

Well, I went about my business, setting up my tent and all, then I went to check on it to make sure it had gone out.
It was still burning with 6-inch flames!
All by itself!

At that point I decided I could NOT leave it on it's own!
That would be irresponsible and might start a forest fire, so I had no choice but to add wood and kick back!
​I'd just have to stay until it burned up so it couldn't start a fire after I'd left.
What a beautiful sunset.

Going!
Going!
Not QUITE gone yet.

I'm planning on leaving at about 3 am.
No real bad pains or anything.
My ankle hurt for a little bit this afternoon, but that's all.
Hips and knee's seem fine.
Everything else checks out the best I can do.
I'm pretty lucky to be in the shape I'm in  at this age, especially after the life I've lead.
​(I'll be 63 this month.)

Well, I'm not exactly ready, but I'm ready.
Kinda nervous, though.
Pretty big hike for me.
Plus, I'm going alone.
Lots of people do these trails so I won't be without people nearby, but even then it's different hiking alone.

Two big mountains that I haven't really trained for.
My backpack is topping out about 50 lbs or so.
Plus, I'll be doing about 30 miles or so, partially cross-country.

Anyway, I plan to be over Clouds Rest tomorrow, and I'm kinda aiming for Half Dome early Saturday.
Maybe I'll get up real early and do it before 6 am or maybe I'll sleep in a little bit.
I'm not sure yet.
Play it by ear... or eye, nose, throat, and whatever else come up, right?

Well, gotta finish getting ready and get some rest.
G'night.