Outside Yosemite: Hidden Gems of the Eastern Sierra
Yosemite is home to some of the Sierra’s most majestic sites. But outside park boundaries, hidden gems abound! There’s no debate—Yosemite National Park houses some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, let alone in the Sierra. But beyond Yosemite’s gates also exist hidden marvels that are well-worth exploring. If you’re planning your Yosemite […]
How to Pick A Pair of Trekking Poles
By LA Operations Director, Will Heaps After two weeks of hiking the rugged routes of Camino de Santiago in the northern part of Spain, my buddy Will’s knees ached almost visibly. By that point, he’d been watching me and my wife tackle the same terrain with much less agony, courtesy of the aid from the […]
Fall is the Best Season For Visiting Yosemite
Five reasons why Fall is the most incredible season of all. When assessing the best time of year to visit Yosemite, a case can be made for every season. Waterfalls in Spring, alpine lakes in Summer, and snow-covered cliffs of Winter make stiff competition for Autumn. Still, any seasoned visitor may tell you that Fall […]
Why Lasting Adventures? A Guide’s Perspective
A Guide’s Perspective on Yosemite’s Top Backpacking Summer Camp and Guide Service Matt Schilowitz first joined Lasting Adventures as an intern back in 2017. He’s come back every summer since, and in that time graduated to a guide, then a lead guide, and now a program manager. But it’s not the paycheck that keeps Matt […]
Standing Proud | A Half Dome Summit On Opening Day
Everyone has people in their lives, places, and unique things about themselves that makes them proud to be who they are. For me, a recent experience guiding our first Half Dome in a Day hike of the season did just that. Arriving to Lasting Adventures for the summer, eager to check my guide schedule for […]
Ten Truths About Bears in Yosemite
Dispelling The Myths About Yosemite’s Bears by LA guide, Michael Misselwitz If there’s one thing we know to be true about the bears of Yosemite National Park, it’s that plenty of myths exist about them. As stewards of the wilderness, it’s our job as guides to dispel those myths, and after decades of sharing the […]
5 Tips For Your First Time Rock Climbing In Yosemite
Tip #0: Don’t start with the route pictured above. Photo of legendary El Capitan rock climbing kingpin, Tommy Caldwell, sourced from Facebook. A mountain guide’s tips for your first rock climbing experience in Yosemite. Words by LA guide and program director, Matt Schilowitz Since the inception of modern rock climbing, Yosemite Valley has long been […]
Understanding Altitude Sickness
Understanding Altitude Sickness: Causes, Symptoms, Preventative Measures, and Treatment If you travel to an area of increased elevation without allowing time for your body to acclimate, there is a chance that you may experience altitude sickness. Altitude sickness, also known as elevation illness or mountain sickness, occurs in areas with lower oxygen levels and can […]
Getting To Know The Trees Of Yosemite
Examining Yosemite’s diverse climate and its fascinating collections of trees Within the 747,956-acre expanse of Yosemite National Park, ground elevation varies from as low as 2,105 feet at the Merced River to a towering 13,115 feet at the peak Mount Lyell, Yosemite’s highest point. This drastic change in elevation taking place within relatively few miles […]
Three Romantic Views in Yosemite
Valentines Day or not, these romantic views in Yosemite National Park are sure to dazzle any date. There’s nothing more romantic than a breathtaking view, and Yosemite National Park has plenty of those. If you’re visiting Yosemite with a partner on Valentines Day—or anytime time you’re feeling romantic—we have a few date recommendations to check […]
Backpacking With A Baby Part 2 | Gearing Up
By LA Guide and Gear Manager, Will Heaps How To Gear Up For Your Baby’s First Backpacking Trip Have you ever heard of the phrase “shrink it and pink it”? It’s a technique used by outdoor gear manufacturers to cut costs. Instead of creating custom items designed for different human bodies (in this case male […]
A Guide’s Take: Subtle Features Of 2020’s Best Backpacking Gear
This article by LA guide Michael Misselwitz was originally published on MensJournal.com. Less-obvious gear qualities that make backpacking way better As a guide who spends the better part of each summer embedded in the backcountry, my quality of life depends on the contents of my pack. Over the seasons, I’ve found that the best backpacking […]
How to Go Backpacking With Young Kids: 3 Key Factors
by Chrissy Murphy, Lasting Adventures guide and mother of twin 5-year-old boys Make your first backpacking trip with the kids a pleasant surprise using these three hacks. Pleasantly surprised. This small phrase holds so much more meaning than a mere two words can convey. But in a nutshell, pleasantly surprised describes my reaction to our […]
MONITORING CALIFORNIA’S FIRES: BEST ONLINE RESOURCES OF 2020
Featured image by LA guide, Nick Estrada The best online tools for tracking, monitoring, and managing risks of the 2020 California fire season. 2020 is proving to be full of surprises, not the least of which we’re currently facing: the most devastating fire season in California history. With more than 20 major fires currently ablaze […]
Getting To Know Your Yosemite Guide: Kara Maceross
As a top-rated National Parks tour service, is Lasting Adventures’ staff is considered family to some of the best backpacking guides in the biz. Spend a day with one of them on-trail and you’ll find, in addition to making the most of your experience in the backcountry, they are fascinating individuals with much more to […]