WawonaNews.com - April 2021
Rattlesnake Season is Here
Posted by: Therese Williams
Submitted by Therese Williams, John C. Freemont Hospital
Rattlesnakes Awaken from Hibernation in Mariposa and Yosemite National Park, How to Avoid a Snake Bite
MARIPOSA – Spring is here, and the rattlesnakes are awakening from hibernation. Outdoor enthusiasts are eager to get out in their gardens or on the trails to enjoy a hike, a bike ride, and other activities. Sometimes, a rattlesnake may also be out in your garden or out on the trails joining you, therefore, you need to be alert.
The deadly venomous snakebite from the rattlesnake is common in Mariposa. Snake encounters typically peak in spring and summer since that is when you are outdoors more often, and snakes are most active in the outdoors.
Rattlesnakes, usually are quite easy to identify:
You should know how to respond if you or someone you know is bitten by a rattlesnake.
Dr. Smith, John C. Fremont’s Emergency Physician, says “There are no tools for rattlesnake bites if you get bitten. The best first aid is to have your cell phone and car keys with you. Call an ambulance if you are unable to drive or drive yourself if you can. I always encourage people to get to the closest emergency room as soon as possible. Given the number of rattlesnake bites we see every year at John C. Fremont Hospital Emergency Room, we maintain an ample supply of antivenom that is replenished through the season.”
In 2021, 9 snake bites were treated successfully at John C. Fremont Healthcare District.
What You Should Know About Snakebites
Snakebite symptoms include pain and swelling. Remove any tight clothing or jewelry before you start to swell. If you receive antivenom treatment within two hours of the bite, your chance of recovery is greater than 99%.
It is best not to panic, as death is extremely rare if you can get yourself to the emergency room as soon as possible. If you are on a trail without cell phone reception, walk or ride your bike out, do not run. If you can drive, drive immediately to your nearest emergency room. If you are unable to drive, call 911 and request to take you to the closest emergency room.
Dr. Smith advises things NOT to do if you get bit.
Once at the hospital, medical staff will assess the snake bite and conduct blood tests. The concern is that envenomation (i.e., the presence of venom in your body) can cause your blood’s platelet and fibrinogen counts to drop to dangerous levels, which can lead to hemorrhaging.
Snakebite symptoms can take quite a while to manifest, so you will likely be observed and retested for a minimum of four to six hours. Severe bites may require several days of hospitalization to ensure you have received sufficient antivenom treatment.
If you are bitten by a nonvenomous snake it is recommended to go directly to the emergency room for evaluation as you may require antibiotics and a tetanus shot. We recommend you do not bring the snake in; we advise you to go directly to the emergency room. Trying to obtain the snake may cause the snake to strike again, which in turn means you are losing valuable time to get to the emergency room.
How to prevent a snake bite
Of course, the best snakebite advice is to actively avoid getting bit in the first place Dr. Smith said.
If you have questions about rattle snakes and John C. Fremont Healthcare District’s treatment, please contact Therese Williams at [email protected]
Posted by: Therese Williams
Submitted by Therese Williams, John C. Freemont Hospital
Rattlesnakes Awaken from Hibernation in Mariposa and Yosemite National Park, How to Avoid a Snake Bite
MARIPOSA – Spring is here, and the rattlesnakes are awakening from hibernation. Outdoor enthusiasts are eager to get out in their gardens or on the trails to enjoy a hike, a bike ride, and other activities. Sometimes, a rattlesnake may also be out in your garden or out on the trails joining you, therefore, you need to be alert.
The deadly venomous snakebite from the rattlesnake is common in Mariposa. Snake encounters typically peak in spring and summer since that is when you are outdoors more often, and snakes are most active in the outdoors.
Rattlesnakes, usually are quite easy to identify:
- Triangular-shaped head
- Spotted body
- Distinctive rattle on the tail
You should know how to respond if you or someone you know is bitten by a rattlesnake.
Dr. Smith, John C. Fremont’s Emergency Physician, says “There are no tools for rattlesnake bites if you get bitten. The best first aid is to have your cell phone and car keys with you. Call an ambulance if you are unable to drive or drive yourself if you can. I always encourage people to get to the closest emergency room as soon as possible. Given the number of rattlesnake bites we see every year at John C. Fremont Hospital Emergency Room, we maintain an ample supply of antivenom that is replenished through the season.”
In 2021, 9 snake bites were treated successfully at John C. Fremont Healthcare District.
What You Should Know About Snakebites
Snakebite symptoms include pain and swelling. Remove any tight clothing or jewelry before you start to swell. If you receive antivenom treatment within two hours of the bite, your chance of recovery is greater than 99%.
It is best not to panic, as death is extremely rare if you can get yourself to the emergency room as soon as possible. If you are on a trail without cell phone reception, walk or ride your bike out, do not run. If you can drive, drive immediately to your nearest emergency room. If you are unable to drive, call 911 and request to take you to the closest emergency room.
Dr. Smith advises things NOT to do if you get bit.
- Cutting an incision so you can suck out the venom – You likely saw this from old Western movies, it does not work.
- Using a snakebite kit — These kits are ineffective and can cause damage.
- Applying ice; This does nothing to treat the bite.
- Giving the victim alcohol, caffeine, or medication; You may feel good, but it won’t help.
- Applying electric shock; This is outdated and dangerous, do not do this.
Once at the hospital, medical staff will assess the snake bite and conduct blood tests. The concern is that envenomation (i.e., the presence of venom in your body) can cause your blood’s platelet and fibrinogen counts to drop to dangerous levels, which can lead to hemorrhaging.
Snakebite symptoms can take quite a while to manifest, so you will likely be observed and retested for a minimum of four to six hours. Severe bites may require several days of hospitalization to ensure you have received sufficient antivenom treatment.
If you are bitten by a nonvenomous snake it is recommended to go directly to the emergency room for evaluation as you may require antibiotics and a tetanus shot. We recommend you do not bring the snake in; we advise you to go directly to the emergency room. Trying to obtain the snake may cause the snake to strike again, which in turn means you are losing valuable time to get to the emergency room.
How to prevent a snake bite
Of course, the best snakebite advice is to actively avoid getting bit in the first place Dr. Smith said.
- Avoid touching any snake.
- Snakes like tall grass and piles of leaves, stay out of tall grass and piles of leaves.
- Snakes hide out in rocks and in wood piles, be alert when climbing on rocks and touching wood piles.
- Snakes like warm weather at night, therefore, be alert at night.
- Wear boots and long pants when hiking or working outdoors.
- Be careful where you reach with your hand as we have had multiple patients with bites to the hand.
- Keep the area immediately around your home clear of tall grasses and be vigilant, as we have seen rattlesnake bites occur this season with people stepping out of the door onto their porch.
If you have questions about rattle snakes and John C. Fremont Healthcare District’s treatment, please contact Therese Williams at [email protected]
Wawona Road Delays April 13-16
Crews are finishing up some warm weather work in the slide stabilization area located approximately 1-mile north of the Wawona Campground. As part of this final stabilization work there will be 30-minute delays for four days next week, Tuesday thru Friday (April 13-16, 2021) from 7AM to 5PM. With 15-minute delays during commuter hours.
Summary of Delays/Closures:
Daytime Delays
Tuesday - Friday
4/13/21 thru 4/19/21 = 15 Minute Delays (7AM to 8AM & 3PM to 5PM)
4/13/21 thru 4/19/21 = 30 Minute Delays (8AM to 3PM)
No nighttime or weekend delays. (M. Pieper)
Crews are finishing up some warm weather work in the slide stabilization area located approximately 1-mile north of the Wawona Campground. As part of this final stabilization work there will be 30-minute delays for four days next week, Tuesday thru Friday (April 13-16, 2021) from 7AM to 5PM. With 15-minute delays during commuter hours.
Summary of Delays/Closures:
Daytime Delays
Tuesday - Friday
4/13/21 thru 4/19/21 = 15 Minute Delays (7AM to 8AM & 3PM to 5PM)
4/13/21 thru 4/19/21 = 30 Minute Delays (8AM to 3PM)
No nighttime or weekend delays. (M. Pieper)
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
April 13, 2021, 5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualana Falls Road
Wawona, CA
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of March 9, 2021
3.3–Approve Payroll
3.4- Approve Warrants
3.5 -Accept Donations to YWECS
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
April 13, 2021, 5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualana Falls Road
Wawona, CA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
- CONSENT AGENDA
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of March 9, 2021
3.3–Approve Payroll
3.4- Approve Warrants
3.5 -Accept Donations to YWECS
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
- ROOF DONATION: NEXT STEPS
- STAFF REPORTS
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- CLOSED SESSION: Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation
- Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)
- RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: Announce Closed Session Actions
- ADJOURNMENT
Yosemite Reinstates Reservations System
(Visitors with overnight reservations inside the park are not required to obtain a day-use permit)
April 8-
Today Yosemite National Park announced a new reservations system will be in effect May 21 - September 30, 2021 . While specific information about the numbers of vehicles allowed in the Park will be determined based on Mariposa County's tier system and CDC regulations, "last year's ceiling is this year's floor," explained Superintendent Cicely Muldoon.
Important changes to the reservations system from last summer:
As soon as the recording of the meeting and / or additional information is available, we will pass it along.
Day-use reservations are included for all visitors staying overnight in the park. Day-use reservations are also included for all visitors with wilderness and Half Dome permits and visitor entering the park via YARTS buses and on permitted commercial tours.
- YMCTB Staff
(Visitors with overnight reservations inside the park are not required to obtain a day-use permit)
April 8-
Today Yosemite National Park announced a new reservations system will be in effect May 21 - September 30, 2021 . While specific information about the numbers of vehicles allowed in the Park will be determined based on Mariposa County's tier system and CDC regulations, "last year's ceiling is this year's floor," explained Superintendent Cicely Muldoon.
Important changes to the reservations system from last summer:
- Yosemite will be changing its seven-day "day-use" pass to a three-day pass . This will increase the number of people able to access the Park. This aligns with the number of days the vast majority of visitors access the Park.
- Passes will be available starting on April 21. For more information about dates for purchasing passes far in advance, please visit Yosemite National Park's COVID-19 page.
- Pass holders can show up during any of the three days and will not have to show up on the first day of the pass.
- Passes will be available further in advance to aid visitors in booking hotel reservations.
- In addition to YARTS and other tour operators, a limited number of large buses (those already with Commercial Use Authorization), will be able to access the Park .
- By the end of April, Mariposa Grove is expected to reopen with limited visitor services. There will be no shuttle service.
- Reservations will not be required to visit Hetch Hetchy .
- Local residents (based on zip code) will be able to "pass-through" on Tioga Road without reservations. Non-locals will have to purchase a pass at the gate and have a limited amount of time to exit the Park.
- Shuttle services will not operate in Yosemite Valley this summer.
As soon as the recording of the meeting and / or additional information is available, we will pass it along.
Day-use reservations are included for all visitors staying overnight in the park. Day-use reservations are also included for all visitors with wilderness and Half Dome permits and visitor entering the park via YARTS buses and on permitted commercial tours.
- YMCTB Staff
Meadow Loop Trail Temporarily Closed
Due to the roughly 90 downed trees and a number of standing snags, the Meadow Loop Trail in Wawona will be temporarily closed. Forestry and Trials crews will be clearing the 3.5 mile fire road/trail over the next couple of weeks. The closure applies to all users. Conditions are currently such that navigation and trail-finding are difficult and hazardous. If you see them, please thank the Forestry and Trails crews for their work on this popular local trail.
Chad Andrews
Supervisory U.S. Park Ranger
Yosemite National Park
(W) 209-375-9520
(C) 209-742-8269
Due to the roughly 90 downed trees and a number of standing snags, the Meadow Loop Trail in Wawona will be temporarily closed. Forestry and Trials crews will be clearing the 3.5 mile fire road/trail over the next couple of weeks. The closure applies to all users. Conditions are currently such that navigation and trail-finding are difficult and hazardous. If you see them, please thank the Forestry and Trails crews for their work on this popular local trail.
Chad Andrews
Supervisory U.S. Park Ranger
Yosemite National Park
(W) 209-375-9520
(C) 209-742-8269
New Wawona Listing 8037 Koon Hollar, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 - $840,000 - 2 bd2 2 ba 1,565 sqft. For more information, click on the image above.
WawonaNews.com Is 10 Years Old Today!
April 1, 2021 - It was 10 years ago today that we first went online with this website. Hard to believe. What Galen Clark would have given to be able to find out when Mariposa County was going to pick up his pine needles...! Sorry, Galen. We just didn't get it together in time for you.
Many thanks to Pat Sischo for 10 years worth of providing material to post for our community. But also to the dozens of residents who have contributed with information, stories, pictures and videos of their own to post on our website. It's the group effort which has kept this page alive. And we hope to keep it going for as long as we can. So, to all of us, Happy 10th Anniversary!
Fede Peinado
April 1, 2021 - It was 10 years ago today that we first went online with this website. Hard to believe. What Galen Clark would have given to be able to find out when Mariposa County was going to pick up his pine needles...! Sorry, Galen. We just didn't get it together in time for you.
Many thanks to Pat Sischo for 10 years worth of providing material to post for our community. But also to the dozens of residents who have contributed with information, stories, pictures and videos of their own to post on our website. It's the group effort which has kept this page alive. And we hope to keep it going for as long as we can. So, to all of us, Happy 10th Anniversary!
Fede Peinado
WAPPOA Zoom Meeting April 10th
Dear WAPPOA members,
We will not have a live meeting for our April 10th General Meeting.
We invite you all to join a virtual Zoom General Meeting on Saturday April 10th at 9:00 AM. On April 7th, we will email you with your login information for the Zoom meeting, and will include an Agenda and Reports that will be discussed during the meeting. We will will use the Zoom Meeting chat function to collect and answer any questions you might have.
Look forward to connecting with you all on Saturday, April 10 at 9AM.
For more information and FAQs on signing up or joining a Zoom meeting go to:
www.zoom.us.com
How to join a Zoom Meeting video:
https://youtu.be/hlkCmbvAHQQ
Best Regards,
Cheryl
Cheryl Kanaan
WAPPOA President
Dear WAPPOA members,
We will not have a live meeting for our April 10th General Meeting.
We invite you all to join a virtual Zoom General Meeting on Saturday April 10th at 9:00 AM. On April 7th, we will email you with your login information for the Zoom meeting, and will include an Agenda and Reports that will be discussed during the meeting. We will will use the Zoom Meeting chat function to collect and answer any questions you might have.
Look forward to connecting with you all on Saturday, April 10 at 9AM.
For more information and FAQs on signing up or joining a Zoom meeting go to:
www.zoom.us.com
How to join a Zoom Meeting video:
https://youtu.be/hlkCmbvAHQQ
Best Regards,
Cheryl
Cheryl Kanaan
WAPPOA President
Badger Pass Road Closing
Badger Pass will remain open to visitor access until 5pm, Sunday April 4th. The gate at Chinquapin will be closed and locked at that time. Roads crews will begin snow clearing operations on the Glacier Point Road. The road up to Badger Pass will be open to Administrative traffic only. Recreational bicycle use will be allowed from Chinquapin to Badger Pass until the snow clearing operations are complete. (E. Scott)
Badger Pass will remain open to visitor access until 5pm, Sunday April 4th. The gate at Chinquapin will be closed and locked at that time. Roads crews will begin snow clearing operations on the Glacier Point Road. The road up to Badger Pass will be open to Administrative traffic only. Recreational bicycle use will be allowed from Chinquapin to Badger Pass until the snow clearing operations are complete. (E. Scott)
High Winds Warning - March 23
A high wind warning is in effect starting today, March 23, 2021, from 1 pm until tomorrow at 5 am. The forecast calls for wind gusts up to 45 mph in Yosemite Valley, 35 mph in Wawona, and 70 mph at higher elevations. Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines; power outages are expected. Travel may be difficult. Watch for debris on roads. Avoid being outside in forested areas.
A high wind warning is in effect starting today, March 23, 2021, from 1 pm until tomorrow at 5 am. The forecast calls for wind gusts up to 45 mph in Yosemite Valley, 35 mph in Wawona, and 70 mph at higher elevations. Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines; power outages are expected. Travel may be difficult. Watch for debris on roads. Avoid being outside in forested areas.
Paddy's Day - by Tom Bopp
Library Resources
March 18, 2021 - The Mariposa County Library offers a variety of online resources that you can access from within our library as well as from home. These resources are completely free to access and use and are full of helpful information and programs.
If you have students in K-12 we have the Encyclopedia Britannica which is a comprehensive interactive resource for research and learning for grades preK-12. It includes correlations to California Content Standards and other valuable resources from students, teachers, and parents. We also offer access to TeachingBooks, a database for children's and young adult books. Gale in Context covers a range of the most-studied topics including cultures, government, people, U.S. and world history, literature, and many more while CultureGrams is a leading reference for concise, reliable, and up-to-date cultural information on countries across the globe. You can read interviews from people just like you who live in other countries, learn about the history, culture, celebrations and more on different countries. If you are getting ready to go to college, we offer many resources for college preparedness, studying tools and more on our teens page.
Job Now offers many resources for job seekers including resume help, interview prep, career planning and more while LinkedIn Jobs is a great resource for searching for job opportunities. The Chilton Library has maintenance and repair information for vehicles and has ASE test prep quizzes.
There are many more resources available in a variety of subjects on our webpage. You can view them at www.mariposalibrary.org/resources.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call the library at (209) 966-2140.
Source: Mariposa County Library
March 18, 2021 - The Mariposa County Library offers a variety of online resources that you can access from within our library as well as from home. These resources are completely free to access and use and are full of helpful information and programs.
If you have students in K-12 we have the Encyclopedia Britannica which is a comprehensive interactive resource for research and learning for grades preK-12. It includes correlations to California Content Standards and other valuable resources from students, teachers, and parents. We also offer access to TeachingBooks, a database for children's and young adult books. Gale in Context covers a range of the most-studied topics including cultures, government, people, U.S. and world history, literature, and many more while CultureGrams is a leading reference for concise, reliable, and up-to-date cultural information on countries across the globe. You can read interviews from people just like you who live in other countries, learn about the history, culture, celebrations and more on different countries. If you are getting ready to go to college, we offer many resources for college preparedness, studying tools and more on our teens page.
Job Now offers many resources for job seekers including resume help, interview prep, career planning and more while LinkedIn Jobs is a great resource for searching for job opportunities. The Chilton Library has maintenance and repair information for vehicles and has ASE test prep quizzes.
There are many more resources available in a variety of subjects on our webpage. You can view them at www.mariposalibrary.org/resources.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call the library at (209) 966-2140.
Source: Mariposa County Library
Wawona Emergency Electrical Repairs Complete
Emergency repairs to all electric service distribution infrastructure in Wawona for the significant damages caused by the Mono Wind event are substantially completed. A big shout out of appreciation and recognition to all involved, both Yosemite IDT and operations staff and the PG&E team, for the effective teamwork, communications, and collaboration that expeditiously mobilized and enabled completion of the essential emergency repairs. Not only was the distribution system repaired and restored, also the infrastructure that serves all Wawona has been significantly improved and upgraded (called line-hardening) for long term reliability. Good job! (J. Llewellyn)
Emergency repairs to all electric service distribution infrastructure in Wawona for the significant damages caused by the Mono Wind event are substantially completed. A big shout out of appreciation and recognition to all involved, both Yosemite IDT and operations staff and the PG&E team, for the effective teamwork, communications, and collaboration that expeditiously mobilized and enabled completion of the essential emergency repairs. Not only was the distribution system repaired and restored, also the infrastructure that serves all Wawona has been significantly improved and upgraded (called line-hardening) for long term reliability. Good job! (J. Llewellyn)
Sheebeg and Sheemore - by Tom Bopp
Wawona Vacation Rentals Back to Orange Tier Guidelines
Starting today (March 9), Mariposa county is officially moved to the Orange Tier. This means Vacation rentals and B&Bs in Wawona and Yosemite West will no longer have a 24-hour waiting period between room occupancy; a three-hour rest period is still required to allow aerosols to settle before cleaning.
Starting today (March 9), Mariposa county is officially moved to the Orange Tier. This means Vacation rentals and B&Bs in Wawona and Yosemite West will no longer have a 24-hour waiting period between room occupancy; a three-hour rest period is still required to allow aerosols to settle before cleaning.
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
March 9, 2021
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualana Falls Road
Wawona, CA
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of February 9, 2020
3.3–Approve Payroll
3.4- Approve Warrants
3.5 -Accept Donations to YWECS
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
NEXT BOARD MEETING Unless otherwise announced, the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors will be scheduled for Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. at the Wawona School.
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
March 9, 2021
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualana Falls Road
Wawona, CA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
- CONSENT AGENDA
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of February 9, 2020
3.3–Approve Payroll
3.4- Approve Warrants
3.5 -Accept Donations to YWECS
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- APPROVAL OF 2021-22 SCHOOL CALENDAR
- APPROVAL OF SECOND INTERIM BUDGET REPORT
- APPROVAL OF FORM 990 TAX FILING
- APPROVAL OF THE COVID-19 SCHOOL GUIDANCE CHECKLIST
INFORMATION ITEMS
- ROOF DONATION: NEXT STEPS
- STAFF REPORTS
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
NEXT BOARD MEETING Unless otherwise announced, the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors will be scheduled for Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. at the Wawona School.
- CLOSED SESSION: Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation
- Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)
- RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: Announce Closed Session Actions
- ADJOURNMENT
Shenandoah - By Tom Bopp
Two Men Become First Skiers to Descend Yosemite’s Half Dome
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
FEB. 27, 2021 9:39 AM PT
Two skiers navigated a thin layer of snow with no margin for error down the precipitous shoulder of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park and alternately skied and rappelled back to the valley floor in an unusually daring feat.
Jason Torlano, 45, and Zach Milligan, 40, completed the descent in five hours Sunday by carefully carving their way in crusty snow and using ropes to rappel several sections of bare rock known as the “death slabs“ beneath the face of Half Dome, the Fresno Bee reported this week.
“If you fall to your left or right, you’re definitely dead,” said JT Holmes, a professional free skier who is a friend of Torlano’s. “If you fall down the middle, you have a small chance of not falling to your death — but it’s a maybe.”
Snowboarder Jim Zellers is believed to be the first to descend the 800-foot upper section on the shoulder of the dome in 2000. But no one is known to have attempted the entire 4,800-foot descent from peak to valley.
Torlano said he had been dreaming about skiing the dome since his family moved to Yosemite when he was 5 years old.
He first climbed Half Dome as a youngster, clinging to the same cables tens of thousands of visitors do every year to ascend the final steep pitch up the rounded side of the polished granite feature. He advanced to become one of an elite group of climbers to scale the sheer granite face using ropes only to catch his fall at least a dozen times. He later became a ranger in the park.
“It’s just always been there,” Torlano told the San Francisco Chronicle. “I’ve been attracted to Half Dome for as long as I can remember.”
After also serving a stint in the U.S. Army, he settled down with his wife and children in a community near Yosemite. He specializes in using ropes to work in high-altitude and dangerous settings.
He said he tried to ski down Half Dome each of the past three years, but called it off after finding unsuitable snow. This year, an early February storm filled Yosemite with fresh powder, including about 2 to 3 inches of snow at the peak of Half Dome.
He rented a friend’s small plane Feb. 19 to study the snow conditions and possible route before calling Milligan, a rock climbing buddy, to join him.
Milligan said he initially planned to only film Torlano skiing, but decided to make his own descent by carefully side slipping down on skis. He said things quickly turned dangerous when he skied over part of one of the cables and lost control before he used an ice ax to stop his slide and was able to right himself.
“I was just trying to stay in control and stay alive,” Milligan said. “You’re on that spine and you don’t have a lot of room for error.”
FEB. 27, 2021 9:39 AM PT
Two skiers navigated a thin layer of snow with no margin for error down the precipitous shoulder of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park and alternately skied and rappelled back to the valley floor in an unusually daring feat.
Jason Torlano, 45, and Zach Milligan, 40, completed the descent in five hours Sunday by carefully carving their way in crusty snow and using ropes to rappel several sections of bare rock known as the “death slabs“ beneath the face of Half Dome, the Fresno Bee reported this week.
“If you fall to your left or right, you’re definitely dead,” said JT Holmes, a professional free skier who is a friend of Torlano’s. “If you fall down the middle, you have a small chance of not falling to your death — but it’s a maybe.”
Snowboarder Jim Zellers is believed to be the first to descend the 800-foot upper section on the shoulder of the dome in 2000. But no one is known to have attempted the entire 4,800-foot descent from peak to valley.
Torlano said he had been dreaming about skiing the dome since his family moved to Yosemite when he was 5 years old.
He first climbed Half Dome as a youngster, clinging to the same cables tens of thousands of visitors do every year to ascend the final steep pitch up the rounded side of the polished granite feature. He advanced to become one of an elite group of climbers to scale the sheer granite face using ropes only to catch his fall at least a dozen times. He later became a ranger in the park.
“It’s just always been there,” Torlano told the San Francisco Chronicle. “I’ve been attracted to Half Dome for as long as I can remember.”
After also serving a stint in the U.S. Army, he settled down with his wife and children in a community near Yosemite. He specializes in using ropes to work in high-altitude and dangerous settings.
He said he tried to ski down Half Dome each of the past three years, but called it off after finding unsuitable snow. This year, an early February storm filled Yosemite with fresh powder, including about 2 to 3 inches of snow at the peak of Half Dome.
He rented a friend’s small plane Feb. 19 to study the snow conditions and possible route before calling Milligan, a rock climbing buddy, to join him.
Milligan said he initially planned to only film Torlano skiing, but decided to make his own descent by carefully side slipping down on skis. He said things quickly turned dangerous when he skied over part of one of the cables and lost control before he used an ice ax to stop his slide and was able to right himself.
“I was just trying to stay in control and stay alive,” Milligan said. “You’re on that spine and you don’t have a lot of room for error.”
