Extreme Hiking?

Seems like an oxymoron, but that's the motto of http://www.dayhiker.com - a website about long, challenging dayhikes. There is a happy egalitarian spirit on this web site that makes you smile. They promote finding adventure wherever you are at a level that is appropriate for you.

From the home page: The Day Hiker philosophy is a minimalist approach to clothing, food, and equipment so the hiker can: go early, go light, go fast, go far, go high, and achieve a personal best in one day, returning to a hot shower, a gourmet meal, a fine wine, and a comfortable bed.

Sounds good to me. I've had the same philosophy for years. When I used to be very active rock climbing, I remember going to ridiculous lengths to avoid a bivouac. Go light, go fast, race for the summit and don't stop until you return to your car. That was our motto.

The website has a short list of "Extreme" day hikes. I've only done one of them - Yosemite Valley Half Dome, although I went up Half Dome via the rock climbing route Snake Dike rather than the regular Half Dome cables trail. I guess that makes it a "super" Extreme Hike (or a really easy rock climb).

I remember that it was a great day. Nice trail, great weather, great views of Yosemite Valley, fantastic climbing route, moving fast and light through the mountains. What more could you ask for? We left the parking lot before dawn and returned at dusk. Add in the 4 hour drive back home to the Bay area and it made for a long day. Just thinking about it always puts a smile on my face.

So get out there and go for a hike!