Liquid Sunshine

We had been planning to climb in Yosemite over memorial weekend for a long time. Pete and Lane made the trip down from Portland to join us. Mariah decided to join us and two other friends, Eric and Kris from Santa Cruz. The forecast was 30% chance of rain Friday and Saturday. Usually that means fewer people and afternoon dampness. So we drove across the state and got into the park just before dark.

Here is most of the crew enjoying Bridal veil falls without any crowds just before dark. The mist is all from the falls.

We arrived in camp, set up and started telling stories and laughing. Routes for the next morning were decided and bags were packed, to bed we went ready for the great day that Saturday would be.....
We were woke up in the middle of the night by liquid sunshine, no good, no good. Here is the crew in the drizzle facing the change in plans. Since the rock was wet we headed to Mariposa grove for some tree hugging and hiking.Still smiling even though the drizzle had increased. These trees are called the bachelor and three sisters, or something like that.
This is the biggest tree in the grove, quite a site. Hug a tree.
The hiking was fun, we saw every tree we could, hugged a few and had a snowball fight. Returning to the valley it became obvious that it had been raining all day there too. The view was still nice, the clouds had lifted enough to see El Cap.After dinner we went to inspect some climbs. The cracks all had running water in them, it would take a solid day of sunshine to dry things out and the forecast was for rain rain rain. So we decided to get up early and head to Pinnacles, because it doesnt rain in the desert. It rained all night, some of the tents were sitting in water by morning, which made leaving a bit easier. We got a glimpse of halfdome on the way out of the park, there was snow on top! Lou and I were really bummed not to climb, but it was cool to see the park in a different condition.
To our disappointment the rain didn't let up as we drove west, in fact as we got closer to Pinnacles it got worse. Plan C, to the Fraurer house for dinner, margaritas, and an intense game of Monopoly.
Monday we finally managed to find a craig covered in sunshine and climbed until dark.
It was wonderful to see Pete and give Lane a few more hugs before he heads back to Panama. And now we know that 30% chance is a good chance of rain.Jaz climbing next to the waterfall. Great spot, amazing views, a waterfall, some practice smearing, it really doesn't get much better.