Yosemite National Park in 4K | Backpacking, Hiking, and Camping at North Dome/Upper Falls

Description

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Yosemite National Park, in the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges in California, is one of our most well known National Parks. In this episode, we explore the huge cliffs, waterfalls, and trees that John Muir called his church and home. We'll hike to Vernal Falls, check out a bit of the John Muir Trail, and backpack to Upper Yosemite Falls and North Dome, and see beautiful views of Half Dome.

--PLAN YOUR TRIP--

Wilderness Permits: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm

Trailhead Map:

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/wildernesstrailheads.pdf

Trailhead Availability:

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/fulltrailheads.pdf

--SCENE SELECTION--

0:00 Teaser

0:32 Theme Song

1:03 After Intro

2:36 Thomas and Robby

3:11 Reunited!

4:19 Royale with Cheese

5:13 Arriving at Summerdale

6:42 Day One

7:31 Say Hello To Yosemite

8:48 Map Sequence

10:00 Arriving at Camp 4

10:30 Bulletproof Coffee

11:50 Starting the Day Hike

13:47 Laurel Bay Tree

15:06 Vernal Falls

17:57 Manzanita Tree

18:51 Hiking Back in Solitude

22:22 Campgrounds

25:46 Thomas's Dehydration Story

26:40 Day Two

27:32 Last Night's Rain Story

28:42 Waiting with Coyotes

29:46 Backpacking Begins!

30:15 Daydreams

31:43 Elderberries

35:08 Thomas at the Top

36:09 Upper Yosemite Falls

38:16 Upper Falls Campsite

40:42 Firestarting

41:36 Evening to Night

44:52 Firelight, Starry Night

45:58 Day Three

47:47 Fireside Chat

49:37 Toilet Sticks

50:25 Swimming

51:07 Day's Hike

54:08 North Dome

56:52 Eating Lunch

58:12 Golden Evening Hike

1:00:46 Robby's Fire Attempt

1:03:24 Evening Philosophy

1:05:29 Stars

1:06:02 Day Four

1:06:33 Final Hike Out

1:07:21 What Comes First?

1:09:36 Path of Humanity

1:10:54 Credits

1:11:10 Hong Long and Sunjan Huang Shoutout!

--OUR FILM GEAR!--

Panasonic GH4 - http://amzn.to/1GJjb7N

Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 Lens - http://amzn.to/1FRE9kc

Canon T3i - http://amzn.to/1qHphdE

Canon 50mm f1.8 Lens - http://amzn.to/1p29wQs

Tokina 11-16mm Lens - http://amzn.to/UUrhVC

Manfrotto 502 Video Head MVH502AH - http://amzn.to/1nhkBrF

Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod - http://amzn.to/UKa55r

Glidecam 2000 HD w/ Quick Release Plate (That quick release plate is essential. Highly recommended) - http://amzn.to/WUpTEv

Rode Videomic Pro - http://amzn.to/1p2a9JT

Roland Quad Capture - http://amzn.to/1zKzD23

Behringer XM8500 Microphone - http://amzn.to/1qHqOAq

Sony Movie Studio Editing Software - http://amzn.to/1tM7NDR

--OUR CAMPING GEAR!--

Condor Bushlore Knife - http://amzn.to/1JaBBv7

Equinox Egret Tarp - http://amzn.to/1BIqkmW

Kelty Grand Mesa 2 Tent - http://amzn.to/1TrK9Fc

Eureka Casper Sleeping Bag - http://amzn.to/1BXhlxH

Buck 119 Knife - http://amzn.to/1TrKgQY

Mora Craftline Q Knife - http://amzn.to/1TrKffT

Katadyn Water Filter - http://amzn.to/1onus3P

Platypus Bladder - http://amzn.to/1TrKfNc

Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants - http://amzn.to/1pR5qXL

Sketchers Waterproof Boots - http://amzn.to/1JaBKyL

--RECOMMENDED BOOKS--

http://astore.amazon.com/advarch-20?_...

------------------------------­---------

All of the musical compositions or arrangements and footage in this video are original, and were composed, recorded, and captured by Andrew Lin, Bryan Lin, and Robby Huang

Original content and music is copyright Adventure Archives/Team Scoog Production (c) 2015

Tags: Hiking (Sport),North Dome (Mountain),Camping (Literature Subject),Backpacking (Sport),Yosemite National Park (Protected Site),National Park (IUCN Category),Climbing,Mountains,Bushcraft,Ray Mears' Bushcraft (TV Program),John Muir (Author),John Muir Trail (Location),Nevada Fall (Waterfall),Vernal Fall (Waterfall),Yosemite Falls (Waterfall),Sierra Nevada (Mountain Range),Yosemite Valley (Location),Survival Skills (TV Genre),Half Dome (Mountain),North Dome

Video Transcription

The year is 2015.

In Los Angeles County, traffic jams have reached an all-time high. As a response, President Sinard declares Directive 69. The Adventure Archives team must escape from LA and restore balance to the world by going to Yosemite. A land where many go, and they never come back. It was early in the morning, and we had stayed up long into the night packing for our latest adventure. Getting to where we were going was no minor feat. My flight was at seven in the morning, so I was at the airport bright and early. Or dark and early rather. It looks like Thomas.

After a couple hours of waiting, it was time to board the plane. Look at this lovely view. For a trip as big as this, even the journey can feel fun and exciting. As Robby made his way in to LA, we had landed at our layover site... ...and made our way to what we thought was our gate. But just as it was time to board, we realized we were at the wrong gate and missed our flight. We're not getting in to LA until rush hour hits at 5:05pm. So... That's not good.

Now, we just had to wait. Thankfully, we were still getting in on the same day. In the meantime, I hopped on a bus and rode from the airport to Thomas's apartment. Adventure Archives was finally coming to Hollywood. And after a couple of hours, we had landed as well. Hey!

- How's it going, my brother? - It's going well. Thomas and I rushed out to catch Andrew and Bryan at the airport. On the way, Thomas talked about how much he loved Hollywood and the glamorous lifestyle. ...and you see all these people who are richer than you with stars, and you're like, I don't care. The coolest thing, is this. This is a mountain! - Yeah, that is... - We don't have those in Ohio. We're in the ninth circle of hell right now. Rebel base, we found 'em. I repeat, we found 'em. They're alive!

Oh man, what a travesty. After a few or so hiccups, we have arrived here in LAX. Also known as the ninth circle of hell. Well, this is good. We're going to Yosemite. Thomas, how are you feeling about everything? Oh, I'm just peachy-keen.

So what the heck happened? When we were landing, the pilot was announcing the connection gates... ...and we were like okay. So we went over there and we sat down and we were waiting... ...and then I was like, uh, Austin?... Andrew decided to take that time to go poop. ...we gotta go!

I napped for half an hour, woke up, and it was like 3:40 and we were just taking off, and I was like, well... We still have a lot of traffic to go through yet. So how hungry are you guys? Um, I'm fine actually.

Could you guys wait like two hours? Oh yeah, I can wait. It's gonna take us two hours to get out of the city. It's like, "How hungry are you guys?" Can you wait, four hours?! Now that the other three had a taste of my daily commute, it was time to take them to the land that billions more stars than Hollywood. The California hills were beautiful in the setting sun. On the way, we decided to stop for some burgers. The problem is my metabolism, although still very high, is catching up with me. It was time to ride off into the sunset. And it's not a road trip until you sing some songs. One evening as the sun went down and the jungle fire was burning... ...down the track came a hobo hikin', and he said "Boys, I'm not turning." I'm headed to a land that's far away, beyond the crystal fountains. So come with me, and we'll go and see the Big Rock Candy Mountains. Oh, sequoia!

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains, you'll never change your socks... Let's start that over.

...and *mumble*...

Night fell as strip malls and car dealerships gave way to conifer trees and dark skies. We had arrived at our first destination; Summerdale Campsite. We filled out the registration forms and headed in to the campgrounds. I'm still kind of upset about that. I blame everyone else for not helping me. We shivered, either from the excitement or brisk night air, as we unpacked our sleeping gear. It felt great to be beneath these trees with fresh air filling our lungs. Bryan helped me set up my brand-new tent. It was going to be nice to finally give it a try tonight. Of course, with new gear, things don't always go so smoothly on the first try. - Are you sure it's not supposed to go this way? - It's supposed to go the other way. They set the tent up wrong. With that out of the way, we prepared to go to sleep. Bryan and I would both be taking the tent. And Andrew and I would sleep out in the open. Won't you be my neighbor? It's freezing, dude.

What's going on?

We have to wake up. - Huh? - We have to wake up. It seems like it's always Thomas waking us up at the buttcrack of dawn on camping trips. Five in the morning. That's usually when my nocturnal self goes to sleep. Now, to be fair, we did have to drive a bit to our next campsite. And if we didn't get there on time, we might not be able to get a site. It's a first-come, first-serve sort of deal. It was time to fight the cold and get our things packed up. We can hear cars going by already. If these guys are stealing our campsite, there will be blood. Well, say goodbye to Summerdale Campsite, and say hello to Yosemite. Oh, my...

Oh my god.

Holy bajeezus.

We soon saw the first glimpses of the majestic Yosemite Valley. We headed through the Yosemite Tunnel, and readied ourselves for an incredible view. This incredible land, with its granite cliffs that dwarve most skyscrapers... ...its massive pine forests, and its vibrant meadows... ...was once home to to the indigenous people who called it Ahwahnee, or "The Wide Mouth". But to most people, it's known by another name. So this is where we are here. It was time to go over the plan. After a dayhike to Nevada Falls, we would try and get a spot at Camp 4 tonight... ...and depart the following day to the Yosemite Falls Trail. We would hike the steep three miles, gaining 2,000 feet in elevation to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls. There, we would need to try and find a campsite for the night. The next day, we'd leave most of our gear behind and hike to North Dome. Then, we would return to the campsite for one final night in Yosemite before making our way down to the valley floor the next morning. We arrived at Camp 4 about an hour and a half before the ranger station opened. There was already a line of about 40 people, and we were becoming worried that we might not get a spot. The 96 available spots quickly fill up, so getting here early is crucial. We chatted and played some games while we waited to see if we were going to be lucky. The ranger showed up and gave us our number. But there was still more waiting. We watched some steller's jays flying around to pass the time. Luckily, our early arrival paid off, and after getting our permit we headed back to the car to get our things so we could set up camp. The campgrounds were already full of people eating breakfast, doing yoga, and lying in hammocks. It was a lively little village. After setting up camp, we were headed on a dayhike. But first, we needed a little bit of coffee to really get us going. We would brew the coffee on Thomas's new portable camping stove. Using these filters to make coffee while camping is a little bit finicky, but it worked out well enough. After pouring the coffee out, I added some nice, grassfed butter. This one is so yellow it looks like a chicken broth. Who wants to start?

I'll try the black coffee. Yeah, Andrew, you start that. Cheers, yeah.

That is really good. It is kind of like coffee broth or something. Yeah, I mean it tastes a little more watered down than you would expect, but I mean... - Well, try this one. Cause that one's not watered down, it's buttered up. - That has a good aftertaste. This is also really good coffee. It's like unbelievably expensive. - That is really good. - It's actually, the butter is a lot less noticeable than I expected considering how yellow it was. Mhmm...

When you tell people I put butter in my coffee, they're like, what? It tastes just like cream. I mean it's almost cream. Yeah, cream is essentially butter. That's great.

Chris. Carolyn. We killed a bear. And we ate it.

After talking with some of our neighbors, we headed to the car and got ready for the dayhike. Let's make it last.

But before that, we had to get our parking permit at the visitor's center for the backpacking tomorrow. - What is this? - I don't know. And while we were there, I picked up a little book. Tree identifier.

We were finally on our way to the trailhead. We walked from our car to the trailhead and spotted a weird growth on a tree. I wasn't sure if it was a mushroom or just some sort of foam sprayed on the tree. I wasn't sure if there was a better way. Walking around with nothing is really nice. - It's good to have an extra person. - Yeah. Why am I carrying anything? Huh?

Right now, we're on the Happy Isles Trail. Are we headed to the Happy Isles? - Cause I like the sound of that. - Uh, no we're... We're heading to the Misty Trail which is going to take us up Vernal Falls. And then, if we choose to do so we can make it up to Nevada Falls. Then we'll take the John Muir Trail back down. Sweet.

It's a good smell out here. It was a bit of a long hike to the actual trailhead since the area was packed full of cars, and we had to park a bit away. Nonetheless, there was a lot of beautiful scenery before we even got to the trail. Rushing rivers below and towering granite cliffs above. Are you not sure, or you just mean... I'm not sure if that's the... The first part of the trail was paved so many people could access it. A bit different than what we're used to. We made it to the trail and from there we could see Upper Yosemite Falls from across the valley. That would be tomorrow's destination. Seeing the falls and all the other granite cliffs was a bit intimidating, especially considering we had to hike to the top tomorrow. The scenery was fantastic, but this first part of the trail was really crowded. You can't really blame anyone for wanting to be out here though. To be honest, it felt sort of like being at an amusement park, which in spite of the name, is not a very amusing feeling. We came to a river and enjoyed the cool, misty breeze and spotted Vernal Falls, which is where we were headed today. And Andrew spotted a tree, as he is wont to do. Okay, I don't know exactly what this is, I'm thinking it might be California Bay, but who the heck knows... But if you... Let me pick a small leaf here. It has like a really fragrant smell. Why don't you give it a sniff and tell me what you think of it. Whoa, that is super strong! - Did you smell this yet? Did you smell this yet? - Yeah, it's really good. Oh my gosh, that smells, like, delicious. I need to put this under my armpits. I wasn't sure at the time, but I can confidently say now that this was a California Bay laurel tree. The bay leaves can be used for cooking, but are much more potent than ordinary bay leaves. It might leave your meal tasting like a cough drop.