This is a compliation of my ranger experiences while working as a seasonal Park Ranger in Yosemite National Park.
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Monday, October 7, 2013
This is what being a ranger is all about.
While on duty at Glacier Point a couple of young gentlemen approached me for advice. If I remember correctly, they had not been able to acquire permits to hike Half Dome during their visit time to the park. Since they couldn't hike Yosemite's icon, they wanted to know what else they could do that would be a difficult and rewarding hike. I told them, "I'm going to send you on a hike that will make Half Dome look like third grader stuff." Insuead of hiking to 8646 feet, I sent them up to 13,054 feet. I love it when I am able to connect visitors to the park. This interaction is what being a ranger is all about. This was their reponse with a picture on the summit:
Hello Ranger Dave,
I apologize for taking so long to write you. I should have gotten the picture you requested to you much earlier. I want to thank you for suggesting the hike to us. It was definitely worth the three hours it took to reach the top of the mount and see everything around us. When I reached the final step at the mount and realized how high I was and how every other peak in my vicinity was lower in elevation than I was at that moment, I was filled with a strong connection to everything that breathes and does not breathe. My lungs were connected to the atmosphere and my body melted into the rock that I sat on. It was difficult to distinguish between myself and anything else that I could see. I will definitely be bringing others to share in this feeling in the future and I will have to thank you every time I do so because without your suggestion, I may have never known Mount Dana even existed. With much appreciation and love,
-Matthew
Hello Ranger Dave,
I apologize for taking so long to write you. I should have gotten the picture you requested to you much earlier. I want to thank you for suggesting the hike to us. It was definitely worth the three hours it took to reach the top of the mount and see everything around us. When I reached the final step at the mount and realized how high I was and how every other peak in my vicinity was lower in elevation than I was at that moment, I was filled with a strong connection to everything that breathes and does not breathe. My lungs were connected to the atmosphere and my body melted into the rock that I sat on. It was difficult to distinguish between myself and anything else that I could see. I will definitely be bringing others to share in this feeling in the future and I will have to thank you every time I do so because without your suggestion, I may have never known Mount Dana even existed. With much appreciation and love,
-Matthew
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