Half Dome

Hiker to Hiker Communication – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 242

Jeff

Olmsted Point – Close up view of Half Dome and other mountains

My experience has been that most hikers are more than willing to help others enjoy the areas they are visiting. If you arrive at a vista and others are staring at something, but you don’t know exactly what, don’t be shy…ask and most people will gladly share information.

At Olmsted Point, Half Dome is a distant sight and might not be easily recognized. There were many others staring at the distant view who would have gladly pointed to the landmark. We actually took photos for some of them.

As a case in point, we were at a national monument recently and other visitors were staring at a patch of grass. We had no idea what they were watching so we asked. They were more than happy to point out the diamondback rattlesnake lurking among the twigs and weeds. Had we been too shy to ask, we would have missed “the show.”

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Olmsted Point and What Else? – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 241

Jeff

What is out there?

The Olmsted Point parking area is relatively large for its location and there was quite a crowd when we stopped to take in the scene. Moving around the area, there were many striking views.

In the picture above, this mountain covered with trees and very pretty rock formations was worthy in its own right. I wondered how many people might stop off here and not realize that lurking in the distance is perhaps the most famous Yosemite feature, Half Dome.

Among so many beautiful areas to stop and appreciate nature’s beauty at Yosemite National Park, the best sighting may not be obvious to visitors.

Half Dome above the trees Lake

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Half Dome Everywhere – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 240

Jeff

NOTE – Over the next week or so, STATUS QUOtes posts may be sporadic or postponed entirely. Other obligations may consume more of my time and prevent me from posting. Thank you for visiting JBRish.com and I hope to back on schedule soon!

 

Can you locate Half Dome in the picture below?

Half Dome from Olmsted Point

Half Dome plays hide and seek

I feel that most people who have knowledge of our national parks have heard of Half Dome. I knew of Half Dome long before I visited Yosemite National Park. My Macintosh desktop had Half Dome as its default image at one point.

This large monolithic feature has become a symbol to a number of businesses, sports enthusiasts, etc., but it remains hard to grasp how omnipresent it is at Yosemite National Park. It reveals itself time and time again.

There were instances when we looked up above the trees and there it was. No fanfare or spectacular view, just Half Dome towering above it all. There were other times when it was somewhere along the horizon, but had to be sought out. From Olmsted Point without any visual aides, it might be difficult to discern, but it was there for sure! (see below)

Half Dome above the trees Lake

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Half Dome – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 239

Jeff

NOTE – Over the next week or so, YOY posts may be sporadic or postponed entirely. Other obligations may consume more of my time and prevent me from posting. I will, however, complete the YOY project by posting a year’s worth of Yosemite National Park photos and commentary. Thank you for visiting JBRish.com and I hope to back on schedule soon!

Half Dome above the trees

Half Dome rises above the trees

Yesterday’s post, YOY Day 238, we showed Half Dome’s across-the-street-neighbor, North Dome (located northwest of the Yosemite celebrity), rising above the trees. Well Half Dome obviously rises above the trees as well.

This is one of more than a dozen photographs I snapped from the meadow area between Yosemite Village and Half Dome. It is one of the best vantage points for a ground level photo of this icon.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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North Dome – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 238

Jeff

orth Dome rises above the trees

North Dome rises above the trees

As far as I can discern, North Dome is one of the less touted features at Yosemite National Park. The photograph above was captured as we hiked the trail(s) around Mirror Lake.

North Dome is impressive in its own right although it does have to compete with Half Dome, the grandaddy of Yosemite Domes, Sentinel Dome which is very impressive for its views and Lembert Dome in Tuolumne Meadows.

Apparently there is a fantastic view of Half Dome from North Dome. You can read more about that hike at Yosemite Hikes.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Tunnel View Moving In (4/4) – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 236

Jeff

Tunnel View

Vertical photograph from Tunnel View

Over the last few days, I was addressing the issue many amateur photographers have when they come upon a magnificent scene and try to decide the best way to frame that photograph for maximum impact.

The photograph above is my last example in this series and as readers will readily note, I decided upon a portrait (vertical) orientation to position the two major icons, El Capitan and Half Dome, where they would receive the most attention and balance the picture.

I am going to create a post about this particular picture and how I edited it to maximize the impact it makes. I will alert YOY readers when it is available.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Tunnel View Moving Closer (3/4) – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 235

Jeff

Tunnel View

Another Photo from Tunnel View

As I explained yesterday, I was trying to capture the “best” picture of El Capitan and Half Dome from Tunnel View. My system theoretically held the formula. I would start with wide shots and zoom in closer and closer to try to capture the most appealing picture.

This is another photo from near the same vantage point as that in the previous post. I tried to use silhouettes of the trees to help frame the icons, but I don’t think it works as well as I had envisioned. Of course Half Dome and El Capitan show well, but I think the silhouettes are distracting. Thank goodness for digital cameras and more attempts!

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Tunnel View Moving On In (2/4) – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 234

Jeff

Tunnel View

El Capitan and Half Dome – the stars of Tunnel View

Yesterday’s post showed a picture I took several minutes prior to this one in which I tried to capture the complete scope of Tunnel View from where I was standing. Of course the major attractions did not appear at their best since they were dwarfed by the wide and distant scene. There I was at Tunnel View with El Capitan and Half Dome looming large before me. The three brothers were off to the side.

I wanted to come away with the best picture I could capture. The problem was, I couldn’t decide which shot that was to be. Imagine visiting this area and not being able to find to frame the best photograph; forget about the perfect shot.

The approach I adopted was not “spray and pray,” but instead, I started wide and worked my way in. This was my systems approach. I didn’t have a wide angle lens and needed to do the best I could with the equipment I had.

I began to narrow in on the features I thought would be given center stage and move in for increasingly tighter shots. I needed to avoid the disappointment of not being able to record a photograph that would satisfy me. I wanted to “do justice” to the iconic features of Yosemite.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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Half Dome Photo with Quote – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 218

Jeff

Robert M. Pirsig quote about what each brings to the hiking experience

“The only Zen you can find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there..” – Robert M. Pirsig

Photographof Half Dome from Setinel Dome
Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross, ALL Rights Reserved ©

The reason this quote resonates with me is that when I speak of hiking, especially if it involves going uphill on a mountain, some of my friends look at me as though I have three eyes. They can’t seem to grasp why I would want to work that hard to get to the mountain top. Of course this is their prerogative. They don’t have to appreciate how I feel when I get to the top of the peak and look out over a vast panorama that strikes like a bolt of awe straight into my being.

It isn’t just the hike to the top that motivates me. It is the miracles one can find along the way! If you don’t like the outdoors and nature and you don’t have a calm, awe inspired attitude when walking in the woods, or watching birds or other experiences nature offers, then climbing a mountain may not provide the same astonishment and wonder it brings to others.

You have to bring that sense of adventure, wonder and deep appreciation with you as you climb and that is what helps to keep your feet moving as you hike.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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El Capitan Meadow – Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 203

Jeff

Meadows near El Capitan

A view capured from the El Capitan Meadow

We decided to hike the entire Valley Loop Trail which takes adventurers near a number of the major attractions in the valley including El Capitan. The photograph above is a view from El Capitan meadow looking back toward Half Dome. As you can tell, the view was stunning. The sky was dramatic and the valley was oh so green. You can see Half Dome peeking into the valley near the middle-right of the photograph.

There were people in the area with blankets and binoculars watching climbers who were making their way up the large mountain. We were told by a tour bus driver that at night, there are a number of lights on the side of the mountain because climbers use them to read as they hang off of the mountain waiting for sleep and the subsequent sunrise.

NOTE – Hiking El Capitan can take a number of days. Supplies must be hauled along as hikers complete the trek.

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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