Ostrander Lake

I overnighted here at the lake one night. It was beautiful and quiet.

This is an old ski hut that is used during the winter only.

Wildlife Pix

Some other animals that I frequently see on the trails.

Bear Buddy

As I was hiking on trail patrol during my recent journey, I encountered a Black Bear off to my right flank. I slowed down my pace until I learned of the bears intentions. It kept walking in my direction and soon joined me on the trail. She walked in front of me at about a 100 foot distance for maybe 15 to 20 minutes. Once in a while she would look back at me, she would pause and smell around but then continue walking with me. Finally she discovered a big rotten log with lots of grubs in it so she stopped walking with me to eat. I made a wide bearth around her and continued on while she had supper. It was fun. I kept talking to her the entire time we walked together. Awesome.

Interesting Events

Hello everyone. Sorry for the lag in my postings. It won’t happen again I promise. Some interesting events have happened since my last post. I will try to bring you up to date.

• I am a grandfather. Caden Tristan Rose was born in March of this year in Denver, CO.
• My son Derek reenlisted into the United States Air Force and will be transferred to Vandenberg AFB in California later this summer. That will be nice because he and his family will be only a few hours drive from me here in Yosemite. He will be a professor, teaching Space Systems Operations. That’s a sweet gig for him in a beautiful location.
• Next month I am going to digitize my 1984 classical guitar recording with Myrna Closser on flute and re-release it. I will be adding hymn selections to the album.
• Over the winter I published several books. Go here: http://eagleswingpublishing.com/
• This spring I was in-processing for another year in Yosemite when a young lady approached me. She asked, “Are you Ranger David Rose?” “Yes.” “I purchased your book last fall, followed your instructions in detail and here I am starting my first year as a new Ranger. Thank you.” We hugged and laughed and cried at the same time together. It was a special moment that I will never forget.
• As an Interpretive Ranger at Glacier Point, part of my duties is to present lectures during sunset at the point. We have between 200 and 600 people present each night. One evening National Graphic showed up for my talk. National Graphic is in Yosemite all summer developing material for print and their cable channel. The print photographer said he took about 500 images of me and the video photographer taped my entire presentation. So watch for me on the cover of National Geographic this winter.
• Over the winter I completed my Wilderness EMT course. I am now nationally certified. I participate in many medical and trauma emergencies in Yosemite. I am also trained in search and rescue.
• I have also recently completed university level courses in astronomy, geology and climate change.
• Courses that I plan to take this winter include: “Leave No Trace” master educator and Astronomical master educator for Park Rangers.
• I am trying to put together a trip this fall in Tennessee. I am trying to find sponsorship for a solo single leg canoe trip over the entire length of the Tennessee River (654 miles). I want to raise money to complete the Tennessee River Gorge Blueway in Chattanooga.
• I have added a new guided hike to my repertoire of events. Last month I did my first Full Moon Guided Hike to Sentinel Dome. It was awesome. The summit of the dome offers you a 360 degree view of a large percentage of the park. From there you can view the sun setting and the moon rising at the same time. I discuss sunsets, the moon, the mountains and water falls. I also pack my giant binoculars and tripod up so everyone can view the moon up close. It’s fun.
• I am doing a lot of hiking this summer. So far I have hiked Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. See separate postings for pictures from those hikes. Coming up soon will be hikes to Clouds Rest, the entire northern rim of the valley, Mount Hoffman and I want to climb 13,000 feet to Mount Lyell to walk on a glacier. Next year I want to climb Mount Whitney. 14,491 feet. The highest point in the contiguous United States.
• You aught to see me when I am hiking. I use two trekking poles and gloves, my knees are wrapped up, my ankles are wrapped and I walk at a snails pace. I sometimes feel like a giant insect trekking through the mountains. Today when I was on the Yosemite Falls trail, a young man asked me…”Sir, are you out here alone?” I said “Yes, I frequently wander off. They usually find me by the end of the day though. Don’t worry.” Isn’t getting old great.

Half Dome Hike

As a Ranger at Glacier Point I have a perfect close-on view of Half Dome and I talk to many people each day regarding the safe technique of hiking there. The hike is about 18 miles round trip, but more important than distance, it is a 10,000 foot elevation gain and loss. The hike is rated "Very Strenuous". Most hikers do the hike to Half Dome in one extreme day. I just hiked it in 3 days. I was comfortable, my knees survived and I had the opportunity to camp out in the wilderness and develop relationships with a couple of new bear friends. I had a lot of fun. The last 440 feet of the distance, the hiker has to pull himself up on cables to the summit. The reward is worth the effort. I have included a few pictures from my hike to Half Dome. Enjoy.

Season End

Well the season is over now. The summer went by very fast. I really enjoyed myself and I am looking forward to returning next season. I actually left a couple of days early because of a big winter storm coming in. I have included a few snow pix for you.

Over the course of the season I spent many hours roving the sidewalk talking to people and answering questions. At the end of the year, television shows show bloopers and highlights of the year. My season is over now, so I have a list of the dumbest questions asked of me this year. Here are the top 12 dumbest questions. I know that some of you will not understand these questions. I have explained some of them.

Dumbest Questions and Statements of 2009

#1 We are not finding "Old Faithful" on the map anywhere. Can you direct us to it? (Old Faithful is in Yellowstone National Park, not Yosemite.)

#2 We are thinking about hiking Half Dome this afternoon. How far is it? (Half Dome is a very strenuous hike that takes all day and extreme conditioning and planning.It is not something that you attempt in an afternoon.)

#3 What time do I need to be here in the morning to photograph sunrise color on the face of Half Dome? (The face of Half Dome faces west)

#4 We just hiked up the Four Mile Trail. Where do we catch the six o'clock shuttle bus back down to the valley? (There is no shuttle to Glacier Point. It is a very remote wilderness area.)

#5 I used to come here with my family as a child in the 50's. What did they put in the water of Yosemite Falls to make the Firefall?

#6 What time do you feed the bears?

#7 We're looking for Glacier Point.

#8 Will you call me a taxi?

#9 My car GPS says I have 10 miles left on this tank. How far is the closest gas station? (The closest gas is 35 miles)

#10 I think I'm supposed to get married here today. Do you know where my party is?

#11 What is the name of the bird I saw over there?

#12 How long is the Four Mile Trail?

Guided Hike Destinations

Here are a couple of guided hike destinations in my area of the park. I guide hikes on four trails, but these are two of my favorites. I stop once in a while and describe natural points to hikers on my guided hike. It's a lot of fun and educational too. One is Sentinel Dome and the other is McGurk Meadow.

Coming Back/Cabin Upgrades

Sorry for the lag in communications. I have been really busy and communication opportunities have been difficult. Well, I guess I am doing rather well. I have been extended this year from Labor Day to the end of October and I have been invited back next year. Yahoo! Since I know I will be continuing on for years to come at this location, I have made a few living upgrades to my cabin.

The flag hanging in the corner was given to me by my son. He was in Iraq earlier this year and he had the opportunity to participate in some way in flying a Predator. This flag was flown on the combat mission over Iraq in which my son participated. I am very proud of that gift. It means a lot to me.

Short Haul Out

One of our duties as Rangers is to respond to Search and Rescue missions. A man fell from a standing position and hit his head on a rock. "He weren't doing too good" so we short hauled him out. That means we called in a medi-vac helicopter to fly him to the valley to a waiting ambulance. My partner was on the ground and I was spotting from above. Next year I will have the credentials to be directly involved in rescue missions.

The Little Guys

Here are a couple of pictures of the little guys around where I live and work. They are small, but just as cool as the big guys. The Bobcat is not really a little guy. In fact he is quite large. Actually I missed the Bobcat. My partner Shannon took this picture.