August 12, 2008

  • So . . . I've been learning a lot about uploading videos to youtube, vimeo, etc.

    I was finally able to figure out how to "encode" my dvd production into a viewable slide show on the i-net.

    I'm not at all happy with the quality of the pictures . . . but I'll just have to work on that for next time since I'm am just so ready to get this production up and done with! If anyone has any advice on how to make the quality better, please let me know.

    So for all of you wondering about how my Half Dome hike went - you can view this video (hopefully) that I made.

    I made a better one and burned it on dvd for us to keep and for family viewing that had a lot more details in it (text) and bubbling brook sound effects to go along with my "mountain music", but I am just tired of working on this so I figure this is good enough for this time!

    I hope you enjoy and please feel free to ask any questions that might not be answered by this video!

    Maybe like "Were you tired?"  ha!!   OH MAN!  It was a MARATHIKE!!  Over 12 hours of hiking and most of it either UP or down hill, not sure which is worst - what do you think Ash?  (Ash is a ol' pro at this) Oh yah, I would like to thank Becky for letting me use her Camelback stuff, her hiking poles, her gloves . . . what else?  I said it many times but I'll say it again:

    I would have never made it up those cables if it weren't for the
    TWO IMPORTANT G's!!!

    GOD & GLOVES!!!

    For anyone who might not be able to view this on your xanga, you can go to http://www.vimeo.com/1514056 to also view it.

Comments (16)

  • I did an all day hike in the San Francisco area and it was on a list that said it would be easy - so me and several of my coworkers went.  Well, it ended up being pretty much up hill the whole way - it was killer.  You managed to smile in all of your pictures so I'm proud of you for that!!!  :coolman: Makes it look almost easy! ha!

  • Have you lost your marbles?  I can't even tell you how much anxiety was in the pit of my stomach just looking at those photos!  I don't even like looking over the side on the second floor at the mall.  I think you are quite insane.  I'll stick to hiking on trails down below.  Thanks for sharing, though!  I do think it is beautiful.  As far as quality of the video, I have no idea.  I am still learning about all this computer stuff.  I think Michael is supposed to know some about computers.  Maybe ask him.  I am glad you guys are safe!  You crazy nuts.

  • Your video is great! Mom says "give her two thumbs up. Good job making it to the top and back down! And yes, the sub-dome is the worst part.

  • WOW!!  Great video!!  You make it look so easy!  The palms of my hands were sweating while I was watching!! I'm hoping I make it all the way next week~~so I need those prayers on my behalf now!!  I just finished my walking and walking the hills in the park for today and I just hope it will help!!  I noticed that no one was on the cables!!!  Guess that was because of the fire/smoke?!  Good for you guys.  Well, 2 weeks after the hike, are you still saying that was your last time to hike half dome?   Hope Monte (and you too,) will come up with us next week!!  Get some energy bars and water and come on!!   Talk to ya later~Bec

  • Great video!!   I enjoyed all your pictures.  Taking a hike like that is something Andy would love to do but I would have to think about it.  :)

  • @julamula - ha!  Yah, those SF hills CAN be a killer!  Esp when you're not ready for them! :lol:   This hike was never going to be "easy" so I was prepared for the worst so that really helped me.  On a trail guides rating from 1 - 5, this is rated a 5 at "extremely strenuous" so you just have to not think about it too much and GO FOR IT!  ha! :eek:

  • @Mrs_Lynnette_Marie - I KNOW!  I can't believe I did it sometimes - esp when I look at some of those "EDGE" pictures!  I got pretty scared there for a minute when I was on the cables and Jill decided she couldn't do it and had to go back down . . . but SOME HOW, I sucked it up and said to myself "Let's DO THIS!"  When I got to the top I was OK for a little bit and then I started getting pretty shakey - of course I needed to eat so I tried to take small bites without having any appetite.  THANFULLY, I got over the shakes and was able to calmly repel back down!!  :coolman:

  • @Tommy__Pickles - See, I had heard that about the Sub Dome so I was soo ready for it!  Did GREAT on it (drank a little 5-hr energy right before), but when I got to the cables I was really surprised of how PHYSICAL it was, esp having to pull yourself up and manage stepping up and over all the uneveness on some of the steepest parts!

  • @GramBee - HA!  No, I don't think it will be the last time we do Half Dome - we just had to say that for the end of the day when we were just TIRED OF HIKING and poor Jill was about it tears at times!!!  I would love to go again, esp to go when there's NO SMOKE! . . . not sure about so soon -- I'd have to go quickly buy all of my OWN stuff!  LOL!  I can't believe you made it to the subdome (and even a few steps up?)  You just had a LITTLE bit more to do!!!  I'm SURE you can do the subdome this time - just take it slow if need be!  Now the cables are a different deal!  :wha: ha!  I wish there was someone down below us taking cool pics like you did of your family!  Jill or Lane didn't have a camera with them!
    Yah, take your own advice and wear ear plugs at Curry Village, cuz our neighbors decided to come alive @ 1:30 am!!  So that along with Lane moving around in his cot all the time and talking in his sleep, didn't make for much sleep for Jill and I!  No telling what we could do if we had a good nights sleep!  :rolleyes:  GOOD LUCK!!!

  • @dual_mom - Yah, I had to "think about it" a while and then after I decided to do it, I just had to NOT think about it!!  lol! :goodjob:

  • no way.  good pics but NO WAY!!!  i'm definately a 'earth girl'.. LOL

  • That was totally awesome!!!! I loved the whole thing, your music really added to the video. Wow I don't know how you guys did that. Were you sore for several days afterwards? Aunt Cynthia

  • Wow.  I am impressed.  with the video and the hiking skills. 

  • @mobecca - your Mom said to tell you that she has a camelback put back for your Dad's b'day and if you want to use it this weekend you could!! Also, I have an extra pair of gloves and your Dad has poles....so, just in case you did not want to shop, but wanted to hike, you are set!  We are gathering up all are gear today, we've been to REI for some stuff and to pick up "Power Bar" food!! Rick also stopped by Any Mountain yesterday and got some poles, he really liked using mine last year!   Hope were ready!! Half Dome here we come! 

  • @grmnshprdlady - Thanks for the "props" on my video - I had a lot of fun making it and picking out the music.  : )  A lot of people do this hike in 2 days where you hike up half way to Little Yosemite and spend the night and then do the next half of the hike up to the dome and down the next day, but I had no desire to pack all of the stuff on my back we would need to spend the night PLUS food/water!  Just the little pack I had on was enough to make my shoulders sting!  We spent the night in Curry Village in tent cabins so we were right there to start in the morning - only thing was our neighbors decided to get up @ 1:30 am and be loud!  Errr!  Lane was also stirring around a lot in his sleep so I didn't get a whole lot of sleep before the big hike!  After the hike Monte was able to take a shower (albiet a COLD one since they had no electricity because of the fire) at Curry Village and then we just headed back home . . . .Jill was so tired, she didn't even want to get out of the truck once she got in, but Lane and I were able to move our legs just enough to go get milk shakes for everyone and then went into Yosemite Village store and I bought a tee that said "I made it to the top"!  We were really looking for pizza, but it was closed down because of no electricity in areas . . .  : (
    Once we got home I took a warm bath (and I'm not even a BATH person!) just didn't feel like STANDING in a shower!  Then I hit the "sack"!  Monte had drank an energy drink on the way home so he didn't go down until @ 1 am he said!  The next day . . . I just had NO energy!!  I was sore, but not as bad as I thought I'd be -- I was just POOPED!!! :coolman:  Fun times!!

  • @mobecca - Wow even when I thought I was in good shape I could have NEVER done that. My legs ace just seeing you do it. So glad you had fun! I talked to my mom last night she said grandpa isn't wanting to get up, he has no strength:( Love ya! Aunt Cynthia

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