Pete Thomas Outdoors

Body of missing hiker recovered by Yosemite park rangers

Sad news out of Yosemite National Park, where rangers on Tuesday recovered the body of Kenneth Stensby near the base of Vernal Fall. A search was launched after Stensby, who is from Minnesota, did not return from a day hike on Sunday. (Stensby is pictured at right.)

On Monday his pack was found at the railing atop Vernal Fall. His body was first spotted Sunday evening by air and ground crews. 

The following is a news release issued Tuesday afternoon by the California wilderness park:

Yosemite National Park Rangers have recovered the body of missing hiker Kenneth Stensby near the base of Vernal Fall.  Stensby was fatally injured after falling from a cliff near the top of the waterfall.  His body was discovered by Yosemite National Park Search and Rescue Ranger personnel and was extricated at about 1:00 p.m. today.

Stensby, 73, from Edina, Minnesota, had been in the park for several days.  He was staying at the Ahwahnee Hotel and went on day hikes each day.  Each morning, Stensby would leave a note with the Concierge, outlining his daily plan. 

On Sunday, May 5, his note stated that he was planning to hike to the top of Vernal Fall via the Mist Trail and return to the hotel around noon. Hotel staff attempted to contact Stensby around 5:00 p.m. that evening, and discovered he had not returned. 

They contacted the National Park Service to notify Park Rangers that Stensby had not returned to the hotel.  Park Rangers discovered his backpack near the guardrail at the top of Vernal Fall later that evening.

Yesterday, the park conducted a full scale search and rescue operation, including multiple ground teams, a dog team, and a California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter.  The search area was concentrated around the Mist Trail. 

There was intermittent rain throughout the day, resulting in difficult search conditions.  The CHP helicopter, concurrently with ground teams, spotted Stensby’s body around 6:00 p.m. last evening.

The Mist Trail, closed during the search and rescue operation, has now been reopened.

Trouble in paradise? Drug busts are on rise at Yosemite

If everyone seems happy in Yosemite National Park, it ought to be and probably is in most cases because of the spectacular beauty of a pristine wilderness.

But some visitors to the iconic California park are high on more than nature. They're on drugs.

According to an NBC Bay Area investigation, Yosemite boasts the highest number of drug arrests and citations per 100,000 visitors compared to other large national parks.

Malcolm Morgan, a camper from Larkspur, California, is quoted as saying: "We were comparing it to Disneyland. We see a lot more happy faces here in Yosemite than we did at Disneyland."

Yosemite receives about 3 million visitors per year. NBC reports that drug busts have increased 18% since 2007 and that last year park rangers arrested or cited 855 visitors for possession of drugs.

Most of those arrests occurred within the seven square miles of Yosemite Valley.

For the sake of comparison, there were 2,393 drug possession arrests in Yosemite in from 2010 through 2012. There were 500 in Yellowstone National Park; and only 365 in Grand Canyon National Park.

Yosemite Deputy Chief Ranger Julie Byerly said she thinks most of the drug users are "largely folks that are coming and going," and not serious nature lovers. She does not believe Yosemite has a drug problem.

Said United States Magistrate Judge Michael J. Seng, who tries federal drug cases in a courthouse in Yosemite Valley: "It’s been primarily marijuana, mushrooms, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and then the party drug--ecstasy."

Seng implied that the problem stems from a drug culture existing among certain groups that visit the park from nearby communities. Yosemite Valley is easily accessible and receives most of the park's visitor traffic.

It should be stressed that visitors are not likely to experience shady dealings or drug-related problems. It's also worth noting that this iconic park is much bigger than Yosemite Valley; it boasts nearly 1,200 square miles of scenic valleys, meadows, great trees, rivers and waterfalls.

But if you happen to be in Yosemite Valley and that crisp scent of pine is temporarily interrupted by something far more pungent, well, you'll have a pretty good idea what you're smelling.

--Image of Yosemite's fabled El Capitan is via the park's Facebook page

Yosemite rangers searching for missing new employee

Yosemite National Park rangers have launched a search for a park employee, Jessica Rose Garcia, who failed to show up for her first day at work Sunday at the Wawona Hotel and may be somewhere within the vast California wilderness park.

A park news release issued Monday night states that Garcia was last seen Saturday morning, by a co-worker at her park residence. She had been walking east along Forest Drive, near the Wawona stables. She had just attended an orientation meeting and was dressed in her dark-green work uniform.

Garcia is Hispanic, standing 5 feet 3 inches tall, and described as being shy and reserved around strangers.

The rescue effort includes the park helicopter, dogs and ranger teams on horseback and foot. The focus is on an area that includes the South Fork of the Merced River, and the Wawona area.

Anyone with information about Garcia's whereabouts, or possible leads, is asked to telephone the Wawona Ranger Station at 209-375-9520, or Yosememite Dispatch at 209-379-1992. The Yosemite Dispatch is available 24-hours per day.

--Pete Thomas

Majestic Yosemite Falls can now be enjoyed via webcam

It's not the same as being there, of course, but thanks to the installation of a webcam, fans of Yosemite National Park can enjoy a real-time glimpse of majestic Yosemite Falls from their homes or offices.

The park announced the news Monday.

Yosemite falls, which plummets 2,425 feet, is the highest waterfall in North America and the fifth-highest in the world. The webcam records images every 30 seconds.

It's the fourth Yosemite landmark to receive a be featured via webcam on the Yosemite Conservancy website. The others are El Capitan, Half Dome and the Sierra Nevada high country, including Tenaya Peak and Clouds Rest.

Conservancy president Mike Tollefson stated in a news release: "The webcams provide windows into Yosemite for people to plan a visit and to be inspired about the need to preserve and protect one of the world’s most unique places. This technology makes the park’s incredible scenery accessible to anyone, anywhere and at any time. What could be better than starting your day by viewing Yosemite Falls?"

-- Pete Thomas

Yosemite Half Dome cable permits required daily this season

Yosemite National Park officials have announced that day-use permits to climb the Half Dome cables will be required seven days a week for the 2012 summer season.

An interim program that required permits on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays was implemented by the National Park Service in 2010 and switched to a seven-day-per-week system for 2011, to better regulate the number of hikers using the cable system. Safety issues have arisen from crowding, which also has led to long waits on the popular hike.

Some changes to the permiting system were made this year, and permits will now be allocated through a preseason lottery, a two-day-in-advance lottery, and as part of the Wilderness Permit process, with a maximum of 400 hikers allowed each day on the Half Dome Trail beyond the subdome.

Permit fees also have increased, with two separate fees collected for 2012. A non-refundable processing fee of $4.50 will be charged when applications are submitted online ($6.50 if done by phone). An additional $5 per person refundable fee will be charged when permits are received, and helps offset the cost of stationing park rangers at Half Dome to check for permits.

Further details regarding the lotteries and the wilderness process can be found at the park's website at www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm.

The Half Dome cables are generally in place from mid-May through mid-October, depending on snowpack and weather conditions.

Image of Half Dome and climbers using the cable system courtesy of Scott Gediman / National Park Service

Climber Tommy Caldwell recounts epic El Capitan summit bid

Tommy Caldwell was unsuccessful in a recent bid to reach the summit of El Capitan in California's Yosemite National Park, but the effort and determination displayed by the professional rock climber was admirable to say the least.

Caldwell, 33, spent 16 days on El Capitan's 3,000-foot face, attempting a seemingly impossible free-climbing route. While 16 days is not a record -- the legendary Warren Harding and Dean Caldwell (no relation to Tommy) once spent 27 nights on El Cap -- it's about five times longer than a typical climbing party spends while trying to advance up simpler routes on the granite monolith.

(*Editor's note: A similar version of this story appears on the GrindTv.com outdoors blog)

Free-climbers use ropes and a belaying partner to secure holds in case of a fall. Caldwell's wife, Becca, was by his side for 10 of the 16 days. They slept on portable ledges and inside hanging tents secured to the granite; they endured freezing wind, rain, snowstorms and cascading sheets of ice while he aspired to complete the "Dawn Wall project."

A more apt title might be "Mission Impossible." Caldwell, for a third consecutive year, was forced to abandon his quest short of the summit. He quit two weeks ago when the climbing season ended, after failing to negotiate the 13th of a series of pitches on a route that remains unconquered by free-climbers.

His odyssey, however, should not be regarded as a failure. This is how elite-level rock climbers ultimately succeed: with stubborn determination.

"The process is so long that you hit walls all the time," said Caldwell, who completed some of the first 12 pitches after as many as 15 attempts, rubbing his fingers raw. "I hit walls dozens of times, and each time you decide whether you want to keep going or not."

Most of conquered routes on El Capitan feature fairly distinct crack systems or other features that allow for handholds or footholds. Much of the Dawn Wall route is virtually featureless. "There's just not a heck of a lot to hold onto, so it makes for incredibly continuous hard climbing," Caldwell said.

Lottery registration open for Yosemite's Ostrander Ski Hut

Cross-country skiers and snowshoers considering making the 10-mile trek from Badger Pass to the Ostrander Ski Hut in Yosemite National Park are advised that the lottery registration period for the winter season ends on Nov. 16 at 5 p.m.

The immensely popular hut, at the end of a physically demanding but truly spectacular trek, is a rustic two-story stone building at the edge of Ostrander Lake at 8,500 feet. It provides overnight accommodations for $42 Mondays through Thursdays, and $52 Fridays through Sundays.

"Along the routes to Ostrander, there are places of solitude and awe-inspiring views of Half Dome, the Clark Range and Mount Hoffmann," says Mike Tollefson, president of the Yosemite Conservancy, which is handling the registration lottery. "The ski area around the Ostrander cirque offers many unique ski trails, including multiple descents off Horse Ridge."

Adds longtime hut-keeper Fritz Bagget: "It's truly a unique experience to be in real wilderness in a national park during winter. Imagine open granite bowls stretching from ponds and lakes to peaks and steep ridges--it’s very special."

Accommodations are limited and in high demand so applicants are chosen via a random lottery system. Applications must be submitted to the Yosemite Conservancy by the deadline and, beginning Nov. 28, remaining reservations can be made by calling 209-379-5161. For lottery and registration information, visit the Conservancy website.

The hut will be open from mid-December through early April.

-- Image of Ostrander Ski Hut is courtesy of Hugh Sakols

Yosemite National Park volunteer cleanup event Sept. 21-25

Yosemite National Park is a place of such stunning scenery and natural beauty that it's alarming to imagine visitors would trash the place.

But, sadly they do -- and so the Yosemite Climbing Assn. is requesting volunteers to lend a hand picking up other people's refuse during the eighth annual "Yosemite Facelift," taking place Sept. 21-25. Participants will assist picking up litter at various locations in the park, including roadways, trails, climbing routes, the river corridor, and in parking, camping and lodging areas.

Last year, more than 1,000 Facelift volunteers collected approximately 172,000-pounds of debris -- of which about 80% was recycled -- and cleaned up in excess of 160 miles of roadway, 100 miles of trails and 20 miles of river area.

Interested volunteers should sign up at the booth in front of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. A second check-in station will be located at Lembert Dome Parking Area in Tuolumne Meadows, and will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Friday through Sunday.

Crew leaders will be on hand to distribute trash bags, litter sticks and gloves and organize work groups.

Cleanup participants will have access to all sorts of events, including a daily raffle, evening programs and an end of event reception with complimentary food and drinks and live music.

Those unable to participate during the cleanup but still interested in helping may make a tax deductible donation to help pay for costs associated with the effort. Donations can be made to the Yosemite Climbing Assn, P.O. Box 89, Yosemite, CA 95389.

I applaud the efforts of the organizers and volunteers, though find it bothersome that people can visit such a wonderous treasure and not have the decency to pick up after themselves.

Image of some of the debris collected last year courtesy of Yosemite Climbing Assn.

Yosemite National Park trail improvement project completed

Yosemite National Park is a place of such natural beauty that it seems easy to take little notice of the areas that help visitors enjoy their magnificent surroundings. Thankfully, there are those who realize the importance of maintaining these oft-overlooked spots, and a 75-mile trail restoration project in Yosemite has come to completion with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday at the park's East Valley Loop Trail.

The six-year, $13.5-million project -- funded mostly by Yosemite Conservancy doners -- is reportedly the largest trail repair and restoration project ever undertaken in Yosemite.

"Our goal was elegant in its simplicity -- improve the condition of Yosemite's most treasured, high-profile trails in order to protect irreplaceable natural resources," said Yosemite Conservancy president Mike Tollefson.

More than 30 miles of the John Muir Trail, from Tuolumne Meadows through Little Yosemite Valley to Yosemite Valley, had work done. There are new stone walls and rock staircases as well as drainage structures and habitat restoration to improve safety and protect areas bordering the trail.

Restoration and improvements were also made to about half a dozen trailheads along Tioga Road, offering better defined routes to popular locations, safer parking, food storage lockers or wilderness education exhibits.

"Yosemite's trails are pathways to discovery and inspiration. Some of the park's most important trails were improved to reverse years of degradation," said Park superintendent Don Neubacher. "The result is better trails, restored habitats and greater education opportunities for visitors."

 

Photo: Hikers enjoy the John Muir Trail near Nevada Falls and Liberty Cap in Yosemite National Park. Credit: Keith Walklet

Hiker falls to death on Half Dome in Yosemite National Park

A 26-year-old woman fell to her death Sunday while descending from the summit of Half Dome within Yosemite National Park.

Hayley LaFlamme, of San Ramon, Calif., plummeted about 600 feet from the cabled route on the granite monolith. The incident is under investigation but thunderstorms were in the vicinity most of Sunday morning and the incident occurred at about noon.

Stormy weather makes for extremely hazardous conditions. Those planning to climb Half Dome should consult a web page set up by the park to show how to prepare for the endeavor.

The last hiker to have died on Half Dome was Majoj Kumar, also from San Ramon, on June 13, 2009. The most recent fatal accident on Half Dome's cabled route before that was in 2007.