Hello Everyone

So another early start for us this morning, on the road and going for 7.00 am. The tents packed away easily after the cold but dry night, which was a change from the normal dirty handed fight we normally had to endure. We had a warning from our guide the night before that the main pass to Yosemite national park had encountered heavy snow fall and had been closed for two days. If the pass was still closed it would double our journey time and we couldn't arrive into Yosemite until after dark.

Fortunately the pass was open so after a 3 hour drive we were up in the mountains, trees topped with thick fresh snow. We stopped for lunch approximately 2 hours from Yosemite park entrance beside a lake. It was freezing; 5inches of snow on the ground could easily cover a coke can and a couple of the guys had flip flops on! We made sandwiches and walked down to the water front, the view was like a typical picture from Canada (thick forests covered in snow, partly frozen lake = amazing). After a quick snow ball fight we packed up the lunch stuff and headed on up the road into the national park. We passed through the gates and we immediately greeted with red bear signs which means a bear died from a car in this location. A sad sight but a least we knew there were bears in the area! The van continued on for another 30min before we reached out campsite. We set up camp quickly as James had a few quick stops planned for us. In the centre of the camp site were the bear bins, we were told to put anything in there that smelt of fruit which included food of any kind, washing products, deodorants, alcohol or lip balm. This caused uproar in the camp with the women but I wasn't sure if it was because they were going to have to spend a night away from their beauty products or the fact they could encounter a bear while out and about. Once the dust had settled, we all pitched our tents under the trees in the now light rain, un-hitched the trailer and pilled in the sardine can.

Our first stop was the giant sequoia trees that were hidden in the surrounding acres of forest. To get to them we had to hike approximately 1mile along a path down the side of the hill. The trees were huge; the largest would need at least 5 people with linked hands to reach around them. We walked through the base of a fallen tree which had been carved into an archway so you could see how think it was from the inside. On the path were a couple of fallen trees, it really showed how big the trees were when a 6ft man stood next to it on its side and couldn't reach the top! After an hour of looking and walking we headed back to the van to visit our next stop - tunnel view. After driving for 20min up the mountain roads we stopped at the side of a tunnel carved into the rock, across the road was a vantage point what showed you the three highest peaks in the national park. Unfortunately the rain had increased and the fog had set in so we could see anything so we headed to the village to get firewood and supplies for dinner.

Back at the camp site we were served a dinner of "parmo's" (butterflied chicken breast with tomato source, ham and cheese) and chips by the nights cooking group (Nicola's group). While we were away 2 other intrepid tour groups had pitched their tents around us, and once the campfire was alight the drinks started flowing. After a long day travelling, walking and exploring 90% of the group went to bed early only leaving a few remaining around the fire chatting with the other groups. At this point our leader informed us that we needed to be in the van for 8.45 to be dropped in the village for our day's activities so we thought it would be a good time to go the sleep.

After a cold, uncomfortable but second to last night's sleep in a tent we awoke to a beautiful clear day in Yosemite national park. We grabbed our rucksacks, hiking boots, made pack lunches and headed into the village. As a group we were dumped in the village car park and told we could do whatever we wanted for the day as long as we were back there for 4.30pm. After a quick discussion with the help desk in the visitor's center, the group divided into three groups depending on which hike they wanted to do and how far they wanted to go. Nikki and I joined the group of lads and Gemma (another English girl) and headed to the shuttle bus to take us to the trail head for Navada Falls (5907Ft). The day was beautiful, clear and hot - perfect for hiking. We headed up the trail quickly realizing that it was going to be hard work, all up hill and very steep but the views of the valley we were walking up with breath-taking. It took 45min to reach the top the Vernal Falls, a quarter of the way into the hike. If anyone wants to tone there bum in 45min DO THIS HIKE the last section before Vernal falls is sheer rock steps climbing 75m up the valley wall. After this we stopped for a quick snack and drink before continuing to the top. The next section was a lot more technical with loose rocks, steep switch-back turns climbing up alongside the water fall. Another 1h30min past in the heat before we reached the summit of Navada Falls, the views were incredible through the mountains. We stopped for lunch and to refill water bottles before we tackled the decent. We could have gone back the same route but decided on a longer route but less steep on the other side of the falls. The route took is through the trees which disrupted the views but still was a lot easier to descend than our route up. After another hour and half we were back at the bottom heading for the shuttle bus and a well-earned sit down. We arrived back into the village with time to spare so stocked up on drinks for our last night together at the camp site. Stupidly I forgot my sunglasses in the toilet so had to run back before driving back to the camp site.

The final night's meal fell on my group to prepare so in true American fashion (and the fact it was easy) we had a BBQ - Pork chops, green salad and large mixed vegetable potato salad. Fortunately we didn't have to do the washing up as we used everything and could sit back in front of the campfire as a group and talk, laugh and joke about the trip. The night passed quickly with a few games and drinks before we all decided enough was enough and turned in for our last night in a tent.

The morning of our final day started with group cleaning tasks. Throughout the trip the group has been separated into three groups for cooking, washing up and van cleaning. These same groups were used for sorting and cleaning the cooking utensils, stove / propane lighting and the van. It took 2 hours to sort everything before James (leader) passed it clean enough to be packed in the van. We then had to wash and scrub our tents including inside, ground sheet and rain cover before packing it and the roll mats in the van. Once everything was sorted, stowed away and clean we loaded our own bags for the last time before disembarking for San Francisco.

From Yosemite National Park with love

Ben and Nikki x