The Camp 4 Experience

Climbers Mark and Anders gear up for the Nose on El Capitan

I rolled into Yosemite Valley late in the afternoon on a Monday in May. Three weeks before the Memorial Day Weekend rush the national park seemed almost vacant. Bluebird skies and warm temperatures made for great camping weather. And even though a friend offered me a bed for the night I headed over to Camp 4. 

 Not far from the park exit Camp 4 is a uniquely Yosemite experience. Made popular through the 60s and 70s this patch of earth is home to the many rock climbers who come to the Valley from around the world to ascend its high granite walls. For just $5 per person each night you can pitch a tent within a short trek to the base of El Capitan. There you can surround yourself with an eclectic mix of people like you who love adventure. And while 5-star luxury accommodations are available at the Ahwahnee Hotel Camp 4 caters to the bargain basement crowd just looking for a place to crash. So if you’re a dirtbag on a budget, here are a few simple suggestions to help maximize your time in the nylon ghetto.

1) Beware the bears: The morning after I arrived the car parked next to the Joy Ride was mauled by at least two bears. Paw prints on the doors looked like those of a mama bear and her cub. Sometime during the night they pried open all the doors and pulled out much of the car’s weather stripping. As long as you keep all the food and any items with an odor you should be safe. Each campsite offers a secure cast iron box for safe food storage. Use it! Unfortunately this mangled vehicle had a plastic container full fruit on back seat. The rest as they say was history. =>; Bear Food Storage
 

2) Show up early: Camp 4 usually sells out of sites every day during the summer. Frankly I lucked out. The ranger kiosk opens at 8:30 in the morning. But those hoping to camp arrive as early as 6AM! Last summer I was number 45 in the line at 7 in the morning and by the time I paid my dues for the night there were only 5 spots left.

3) Make Friends with strangers: There’s a good chance you’ll share a site with another party of campers. Living in close quarters is much easier when you’re open to sharing. Just saying hi or the gift of a smile goes a long way toward building rapport. Before you know it you’ll be sharing stories around the campfire over beers and a bag of chips.

4) Bring a bike: More of a guideline than a rule having a bicycle in Yosemite is a great way to get around. I drove out with a bike knowing I’d use it every day. Everything is close enough to walk but Curry Village according to the signs is 2.6 miles from Camp 4. And if you’re temped to drive parking, especially at peak season can be a nightmare. The park offers bike rentals for $28 a day. A bit pricy, but it’s an option.

5) Free WiFi: I confess that I enjoy staying connected even when camping. Cell reception in Camp 4 is actually pretty good. But Internet connections on my iPhone are spotty at best. Fortunately Yosemite Lodge at the Falls directly across the highway has free wireless access. That’s not true at other hotspots around the park that usually charge some kind of fee. At this very moment I’m set up at the food court with full connectivity, an outlet to plug-in to and a cup of hot tea.

I’ve made Camp 4 my Yosemite home base for years. Here is where I became friends with world-class climbers likeTimmy O’Neill, Cedar Wright and Ron Kauk. It’s not uncommon to meet up with other greats like Alex Honnold, Jimmy Chin, Renan Ozturk and Tommy Caldwell. At its core Camp 4 is an international community where people who share a passion for the outdoors gather to experience the Valley not as tourists but members of a great collective where everyone is welcome.
If you’ve got some tips or suggestions on how to enjoy your time in Yosemite I’d love to hear them! Post your comments here or drop me an email at info@joytripproject.com

Go be Joyful!

This guest blog was submitted by our friend James Mills of The Joy Trip Project which is made possible with the support sponsors Patagonia, Rayovac and the New Belgium Brewing Company.

Tips on Shopping for a Backpack

Having worked in an outdoor gear store, I realize that shopping for a backpack can be intimidating. Packs these days can be a bit techie, and many people aren’t familiar with all the gear jargon. Plus, most folks don’t know what questions to ask when dealing with salespeople. As you shop, use the talking points below to ensure that the store staff members help you choose the right pack. 

 

1. Shop at an outdoor specialty store

While big-box stores carry backpacks, you need to visit an outdoor specialty store to find a high-quality pack that’s going to fit comfortably and last a long time. Outdoor specialty stores not only carry the most comfortable, durable products, but they also have staff members who are trained to help you choose the right product that really fits. Of course, a quality pack will cost more, but I recommend that you spend a bit more on your pack, shoes and sleeping bag, because these greatly affect how good—or bad—you feel during a trip. Also, cheaper gear often falls apart more quickly, so, in the long run, you end up paying just as much with replacements. 

2. Describe how you’ll use the pack

Tell the salesperson the types of trips you’ll take with the pack and the environment you’ll be in. This will help determine the size pack you should buy. For example, do you need a 6,000-cubic-inch pack for a weeklong backcountry trip, or a 3,000-cubic-inch pack for a weekend excursion? Maybe you want something super lightweight for thru-hiking. Keep in mind that you can get a bigger pack if you ever want to do longer trips. Also, if you’re traveling in summer, you might want a pack that offers more ventilation for your back.

3. Discuss other features that are important to you

Help the salesperson narrow the choices by discussing things that you would prefer. For example, do you want an external-frame pack (more ventilation), or an internal-frame pack (more custom fit, lighter weight, better load distribution). Also, some folks want a pack with a hydration system, while others prefer to carry water bottles. You can get a pack accessible only through the top, or one with multiple access points. Or, maybe you want multiple external pockets to organize your gear. You might ask the salesperson to show you two or three models to help you decide.

4. Have the employee measure your torso

Once you have chosen a model, have the salesperson measure your torso (from the hips to the base of the neck) to determine the size pack you’ll need. Keep in mind that some manufacturers offer waist belts and shoulder straps in several sizes to fine-tune the fit.

5. Try on the pack with some weight in it

The salesperson should fill the pack with about 20 pounds of weight, and then let you try it on. Ask the salesperson to show you the proper sequence for adjusting the waist belt, hip straps, shoulder straps, sternum strap and load-lifter straps. The salesperson should then ensure that the pack is sitting properly at the shoulders and hips. This is also a good time to get advice on how to properly pack your gear to balance the load effectively.

 

6. Wear the pack in the store for a while

Tell the salesperson you would like to wear the pack and walk around the store for several minutes. Pay attention to how it feels, and ask salesperson to help you adjust the various straps to balance the load between your shoulders and hips.

7. Don’t forget accessories

Ask the salesperson to show you any accessories you might need, such as a rain cover for your pack, a camera bag, or extra straps to latch things to the packs.

Written by guest bloggers Wendy Geister and Marcus Woolf of The Adventure Post (www.theadventurepost.com), which inspires people of all ages and abilities to explore their world and enjoy the outdoors. Geister and Woolf have gathered a community of outdoor writers and travel experts to share travel tips, provide insider info on destinations, and offer opinions on the latest gear and clothing.   

Interview with CleanWell's Holly Bornstein

We asked Holly about her love of parks and how CleanWell can come in handy for you, the parkgoer! 

Favorite State or National Park and why?

Yosemite National Park.  The first time I went, I drove in at night in the dark.  That meant when I woke up in the morning I was blown away by the truly magical scenery around me.  I will never forget that feeling of awe and delight.

What activities would you recommend at this park? 

If it is a first visit I recommend going on a tour with a park ranger.  This gives you a great backdrop of information and things you can look for throughout your visit.  If you haven’t experienced the majestic California redwoods, Mariposa Grove is a must see. 

What are the best uses of CleanWell products at a park? 

Our biodegradable canister & travel wipes are great because they remove dirt and germs.  So they are perfect to use at your campsite.  After you’ve been out exploring and before you eat.  They are also great for an impromptu wipe down of the kids; hands, feet & legs too!

Thanks, Holly for the interview!  For more info about CleanWell, visit http://www.cleanwelltoday.com. 

Reliving a Sound

Interested in alternative means to note significant outdoor experiences?  Try drafting a soundtrack for your adventures.

"What seems to happen is that a piece of familiar music serves as a soundtrack for a mental movie that starts playing in our head." said Petr Janata, a cognitive neuroscientist at University of California, Davis. The article can be found here: Music-Memory Connection

Your “mental movie” could include a list of memorable tunes or just a single song to represent the entire trip.

Here are two suggestions for Joshua Tree National Park.

* The majestic Long Highway by The Jezebels.

  This song can energize anyone as they traverse the long, vibrant roads of Joshua Tree.  “Long Highway” build an intensity that is only equaled by the vivid display of colors at sunset in the desert.

 * For a mellow, yet refreshing tune be sure to add Emmylou by First Aid Kit.

This humble, folksy melody can aid anyone musing on romantic ideas while trekking through the beautiful desert.

Enjoy! 

Traveling Gecko Brings Awareness to Texas State Parks

If you’re driving down Texas highways, you may notice something BIG in your rearview mirror. In efforts to improve state park awareness and visitation, GEICO is sponsoring a mobile marketing machine that is popping up everywhere from parks to festivals to trade shows.

This RV bedecked with beautiful state park graphics, is hoping to get more Texan out camping in state parks, which are in constant need of funds for improvements, maintenance, and staff as you may have heard in the news. 

The response to the Geico RV has been extremely positive; most people seem to enjoy the colorful wrap, the message, and yes, the giant Gecko. Here's a fun video that My Fox Houston ran about the Texas state parks and the RV: http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/news/local/120315-find-life-outdoors-inventing-ways-to-keep-parks-afloat. 

Shameless plug: this is just one of the many effective ways that Good Solutions Group (our parent company) partners with corporations to support state parks!