beginning the 2.5 hour controlled-fall back down. 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

the faithful vibrams served me quite well, enhancing agility and making me wonder, "whose hands are those??" every time i looked down. 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

aaaaaaaahhhhhh sven-yaaaaaaa...... 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

after 4.5 hours (including lots of short breaks), we finally arrive at the top. 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

we four adventurers, backs drenched with sweat, bravely committing to reaching the top, and naively planning to hike Half Dome on our next visit. 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

Paul has allergies. 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

standing this close, it sounds like a thunderstorm. 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

lunch break. 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

an indigenous caveman, coming out of hibernation, was blinded by the light, and refused to answer any questions about the paleolithic markings found earlier on the journey. 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

much of the trail ranneth over. 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

the weather was fickle. 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

this is a scale model we built from twigs and other debris, based on the view from one of the switchbacks on the trail up to the Falls. 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

the hunter-gatherer's efforts were not wasted. the tribe ate well that evening. 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

these paleolithic markings were discovered in 2011 by a group of traveling circus performers, who found them quite amusing. they decided to base their next show on the nearly pre-historical tale of a fire-maker, a hunter-gatherer, and a shaman. 

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

Taken: Apr 26, 2012

Taken: Apr 26, 2012