El Portal Morning Honker

Nico, I just posted a freebie site for friday eve, yours if you want it... just sayin'

Nico - you are funny, I like your style. I got an offer for you man in the spirit of many folks saying they would pay for camping if it was available. 

How about every time you and others bivy at Parkline for the next year you make a $20 restricted gift to the American Alpine Club for the "Yosemite Climber's Ranch." I will match each contribution for the next year with a $500 max. Same cost to you each time as an NPS campsite but we build support for a long term solution. 

https://membership.americanalpineclub.org/donate Choose "Other" and enter "Yosemite Climber's Ranch" in the comment box.

Let me know each time you kick in and I will match until Dec 2021. I guarantee this will get things going.

Ryan Kellywrote:

Nico - you are funny, I like your style. I got an offer for you man in the spirit of many folks saying they would pay for camping if it was available. 

How about every time you and others bivy at Parkline for the next year you make a $20 restricted gift to the American Alpine Club for the "Yosemite Climber's Ranch." I will match each contribution for the next year with a $500 max. Same cost to you each time as an NPS campsite but we build support for a long term solution. 

https://membership.americanalpineclub.org/donate Choose "Other" and enter "Yosemite Climber's Ranch" in the comment box.

Let me know each time you kick in and I will match until Dec 2021. I guarantee this will get things going.

I'll be bivying there tonight before heading into the valley tomorrow morning so let's get this ball rolling! Can't wait to see how much us monkeys can put in with your generous matching funds! 

And even if the ranch doesn't actually happen, it's still money to the AAC so it's a win/win! Though it begs the question of what does the AAC do with "other" contributions for a topic that does not come to fruition?

YES! Thank you Kevin! 

What will the weekend total be? Damn I might have to cough it all up at once! Happy to do it.

Ryan Kellywrote:

YES! Thank you Kevin! 

What will the weekend total be? Damn I might have to cough it all up at once! Happy to do it.

 I'll sleep on the wall in my portaledge for the rest of the trip. Wall monkeys know how to get around the lack of available established campsites in the valley.

Russ Walling wrote:

They will probably buy Donini a new set of longjohns and send him out on a fully funded “no dogs at the crags” speaking tour.

So definitely a win/win!

Yes right on I didn’t mean for you Kevin! Just in general wondering who else feels inspired to jump in. It’s awesome you are stoked, thank you!

Restricted funds are by definition only for the project the donor intended. I’m going to chat with some contacts at AAC to make sure this little concept won’t give them an accounting headache. But either way the momentum is good and any support for the Yosemite Climbers Ranch and AAC sends the right signal.

Now this is a hell of an idea!  How about a sign to post up at the spot for all those who aren’t MP forum hounds too!  Let’s blow the AAC’s mind on this one and make it happen!

Is there an existing organization for the YCR idea or is the expectation that the AAC going to set it up?

Nico - hope you are out climbing and having fun and not wasting your life on Mtn Project like me, but to answer your question, I think that AAC is very likely the best partner. Given the challenges facing many non profits at the moment, it’s not likely a priority right now, but with time and interest they and others can rally around the Yosemite Climbers Ranch.

Putting it out there again, on Monday I will match each time you bivy at Parkline and throw down $20 to the AAC. Kevin DeWeese did the first proud donation. Who is next?!

Didn't access fund just give away a sprinter van?

Ryan Kellywrote:

Reviving an old thread with a new twist. Must be tourists, I know climbers would never do this. Notice the magazine left out to make people think this junk show belongs to a climber. Clever work.

You forgot to photograph the bouldering pad that was there...

Max Rwrote:

It’s chill as long as you don’t treat it like a campsite. Be low key. If you need to take a dump, walk down the road to the hotel. 

Ever heard of a 5gal bucket and kitty litter? Pack it in pack it out

Steph Evanswrote:

Ever heard of a 5gal bucket and kitty litter? Pack it in pack it out

How is shitting in a literal bathroom not ‘packing it out?’

Max Rwrote:

How is shitting in a literal bathroom not ‘packing it out?’

You're not staying at the hotel, that's just not cool. particularly when the hotel dislikes you parking by that fence to begin with. So you come to a small community, you poop in a hotel you're not staying at, you leave your trash along the highway and you don't purchase anything or do anything to support the local community. So nope it's not

Steph Evanswrote:

You're not staying at the hotel, that's just not cool. particularly when the hotel dislikes you parking by that fence to begin with. So you come to a small community, you poop in a hotel you're not staying at, you leave your trash along the highway and you don't purchase anything or do anything to support the local community. So nope it's not

Some bold assumptions there. But i understand where you’re coming from. I’ve seen the pullouts get closed one by one since the sandlot. The majority of the climbers that use the pullouts understand how sensitive of resource they are, and treat them as such. Unfortunately there’s always a handful of people that think it’s literal campsite, and trash the place. A couple years ago, the human feces and toilet paper in the trees got so bad they shut down the pullout temporarily, and trimmed all the bushes back. I’d rather advise people to use a literal toilet (while respecting the hotel,) than trashing the pullouts with turds. But you’re right, neither options are great. And btw, i make a point to spend money at the El Portal Market every time i’m there. 

Yup, brand new no parking signs and no camping signs up at parkline pullouts...

Nico Wrightwrote:

You got my number!  Except I would happily pay for a campsite were one available, my problem is not planning far enough ahead of time!  Very in favor of some kind of climbers ranch outside the park.  I think one would find plenty of investors and customers amongst us Big City living, Grown Up Job having weekend warrior dirtbag dreamers!  If you got any leads on properties I'd go in on that venture.  Another thought would be if Yose reserved some campsites for a week of reservation instead of everything 6 months in advance.

Or set up a lottery for the campsites, so its not just a free-for-all for 3 minutes before all sites are reserved for that month. Or better still, lottery for the 6 month out reservations, first-come-first-served a week out.

I have cleaned up that area many many times over the years.  Both sides of the road all the way up to the hotel. There are just too many ignorant people camping there these days.  I still remember many times being the only van parked next to Honnold who was asleep already by the time I arrived around 10pm.  And was gone already before I pulled out at 6am.

Its easy to shit before driving there.  And easy to not make a mess and stay low key.  Some people these days just seem to feel like the world revolves around them.  I guess its up to the rest of us to educate those we can and cover (clean up after) those we cant.  

$26 per night campsites, 26weeks in advance reservations which sell out in 1 min, limited camping options and now covid dont help any.  

g1nj3r wrote:

I miss those times, didn’t appreciate that 5 years ago. A lot of people just aren’t empathetic I think. Feels like everyone is just so self concerned with their experience. We picked up a bag of trash before leaving for the season this year and it was still trashed... 

how times have changed (not for the better)

Max Rwrote:

It’s chill as long as you don’t treat it like a campsite. Be low key. If you need to take a dump, walk down the road to the hotel. 

Nothing assumed..."if you need to take a dump, walk down the road to the hotel." To add, the store workers have said business is lower but still high traffic AND most of the time I see camp stoves so people aren't buying food from the hotel.