Heads up: the trail near Upper Yosemite Falls is way different than I remembered

I used to charge up that trail in 4 hours with just water and granola bars, no planning. Now after turning 40 and getting a knee issue last year, I have to map out every switchback and carry trekking poles and an extra 2 liters of water. The elevation gain is 2,700 feet and hitting that granite slab around mile 3 just kills me now. Anyone else switch from fast and light to slow and packed after an injury or age change?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_hayden14d ago

@evan_wilson18 wait that brain protection thing is actually fascinating, got a link for that? But yeah the granite slab is no joke, how long do your stops usually run you now compared to the old days?

brian_rivera5915d ago

Whoa wait, 4 hours with just granola bars? That is wild to me, I can't even imagine doing that now. I hit that granite slab you're talking about last month and had to stop twice just to breathe, my legs were jello. Getting old sucks but at least we're smart enough now to pack the extra water and poles, better than being stubborn and stuck out there.

evan_wilson1814d ago

Dude, "legs were jello" is the perfect way to describe it. I actually read something the other day about how your legs just give out like that not from the climb but from your brain protecting you, which makes me feel way better about stopping all the time now. Granola bars and water is a definite rookie mistake, but hey, we all learned the hard way!