5 days & 4 nights guided back packing experience in Yosemite National Park. August 8-13, 2019. When I signed up for this trip, the difficulty was rated as "Difficult". I usually look at these things and say "Eh, they are just covering their ass". I can honestly say this was the most difficult hike I have ever experienced personally. Plus, it was my first time with a backpack. The weather was beautiful. The views were unbelievable. The experience was unforgettable. Yosemite has to be seen to be believed. The trip was lead by our 2 guides, Will & Matt. Their knowledge of the trails and park was incredible. Their personalities were terrific. Just right for the mixed bag of good friends and new friends in our group. Really, just a perfect match. Matt prepared all the meals. I was expecting freeze dried MRE's but instead was treated to an actual cooked meal from a different cuisine every night. Which was amazing because all of the food was carried in our backpacks and theirs. Along with all of the pots and pans and cooking tools. By the way, all they ask is that you carry a bear can, they carried EVERYTHING else and you would never know that their pack was probably at least 10 pounds heavier than ours. Matts cooking catered to all the different eating habits in the group from vegetarian to gluten free to your typical carnivore. For breakfast one morning he made a frittata which I had never even heard of. It tasted as good as it looked which was pretty amazing. Matt, if I can offer you one bit of advice on your brownie dessert...Try adding the eggs next time 😜. Will was by his side every meal dicing vegetables, boiling water and helping with the dishes afterwards. He will forever be remembered by me for something much bigger however. I am terribly afraid of exposed heights. He actually got me to the top of Mt. Hoffman, over the top of Clouds Rest (not on the "spine" though, you have to know your limits. He got me over the top about 8' lower where there was a ridge with some rocks on one side of me.) and he got me up to the top of Half Dome where our group was fortunate enough to be the ONLY 8 PEOPLE on the summit for a beautiful sunset AND a delicious macaroni and cheese tortellini dinner with vegetables and sausage! After sunset, dinner and dessert on top of HD, Will did something even more incredible for me..he got me down in the dark!! He has the patience of a saint and guided me every step of the way up and down. I am forever grateful to him for helping me past my fear for at least these 2 occasions. My disappointment in myself would have been immeasurable if I had not listened to him and I sat out the climbs up and down any of those 3 summits. Thank you Will for making my vacation one I am forever proud of and will never forget. Thank you Matt for your tireless efforts around the "stove" even after the late night after HD and for offering me the encouragement I needed to try those summits. Thank you both for your conversations at the "back of the pack". This was a 5 day trip I will remember as long as I live thanks to Matt, Will and great group of new and old friends I shared it with. I would HIGHLY recommend this trip to anyone with a sense of adventure. And lastly, thank you Lasting Adventures for an extremely affordable and fantastic way to see one of our nations most awesome treasures. Rich Blackmore
