Yosemite Valley, United States
This 4,000-foot-deep glacially carved valley is a natural wonder and one of the top landmarks in the United States. The sheer cliff walls, which tower majestically along the edges, include glacially sculpted, polished rock, which is considered the true jewel in the crown of Yosemite National Park. No photograph can do Yosemite Valley justice. The incredibly sheer granite cliffs were licked smooth by glaciers over 30 million years, making them the ultimate challenge for rock climbers - especially the vertical precipice of monolith El Capitan, which rises nearly a thousand meters above the ground.
Its nickname, "Incomparable Valley," is well-deserved; particularly in the morning mist and at sunset, when the fabled Half Dome is bathed in an unforgettable rosy glow. An hour's drive away, at The Glacier Point, you can see the 7,214-foot granite peak towering over the valley as well as the nearby High Sierra peaks of Clouds Rest, Liberty Cap, Vernal, and Nevada Falls.
Follow the Merced River through the Valley floor meadows, with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance between Yosemite's massive rock formations. Then, through pine-scented forests, hike up to Bridalveil or Yosemite Falls (the latter being the highest waterfall in the United States) to be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding national park. When the sun sets at the end of a clear day, the rock faces turn an icy blue color as they are cast into shadows, and the golden light is spectacular. Red Tail Ranch is a lovely farmhouse only 20 minutes from Yosemite's main entrance.
Who among athletes has never heard of or read about Yosemite Valley in California? Up until the middle of the 19th century, various indigenous tribes lived in the Yosemite region. In 1890, it was officially designated as a National Park, ranking it among the top ten in the world.
Yosemite Valley is currently renowned throughout the world for its massive granite stone slopes and steep waterfalls. In 1984, the area, which has a total area of more than 3,029 square km and an elevation range of 600 to 4,000 meters, was designated as a World Heritage Site. Approximately four million people visit it each year, but only a small number are climbers.
Its fauna and flora are privileged, as are its panoramic views, waterfalls, glacial lakes, granite rock formations, and iconic giant sequoias, making it a popular tourist destination, particularly for adventurers and rock climbers (Big Wall Climbing).
Climbers of all levels will find a home in Yosemite, from the most inexperienced to the most experienced. So don't be concerned; there's something for everyone! Sign up for the Yosemite Mountaineering School and Guiding Service, which offers hands-on classes for beginners, intermediates, and advanced riders who have never climbed Yosemite before. There, you can rent all of the necessary equipment as well as attend informative seminars. There are more advanced rocks for more experienced adventurers. Yosemite is home to some truly enormous granite rock formations that require several days to climb. El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Glacier Point are the most difficult vertical rocks to climb despite the effort-intensive preparation and gorgeous summit.
Without a doubt, the most impressive granite mecca among these great walls of California is Yosemite Valley. This location has become a benchmark for rock climbing, as well as a great place to set new records and watch new climbers develop. Every climber who travels to Yosemite comes with the goal of completing the climbing route they have always wanted to try. It has become an initiation rite for many, and an annual tradition for others. Feel free to visit and be inspired.
