When Fire and/or Smoke Become A Threat In Yosemite

Throughout our history as a guide service, fires have not been a physical threat to our programs, primarily because we operate in higher elevations and alpine regions, which have thinner forests and lots of granite. Most major fires over the past 20-plus years have all occurred at lower elevations and in the drier foothills outside…

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Standing Proud | A Half Dome Summit On Opening Day

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…

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Ten Truths About Bears in Yosemite

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…

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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…

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Understanding Altitude Sickness

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…

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Getting To Know The Trees Of Yosemite

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…

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Summer 2021 Yosemite Reservation System Explained

Summer 2021 Yosemite Reservation System Explained

Understanding Yosemite’s Reservation and Admission System for Summer 2021 (Pro tip: Book a tour with us and we’ll deal with it for you.) As Yosemite continues to navigate the changing climate of coronavirus along with the rest of the world, their admission policy and visitor permit plan evolve. Last summer, Yosemite instituted a day-use reservation…

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Top 10 Things I Learned From Attending Yosemite’s Firefall

Top 10 Things I Learned From Attending Yosemite’s Firefall

The Horsetail Fall “Firefall” is one of the most coveted photo ops in the valley. But it’s also one of the hardest to get. Here are  10 things one guide learned from attending this winter. Photos and words by LA guide, Kara Maceross A few years ago when I started working for Lasting Adventures I…

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Three Romantic Views in Yosemite

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…

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