Yosemite Fall Service & Half Dome Trip

Enjoy Serving in Yosemite for FaceLift week and Hiking Half Dome with Bayside Adventure Sports!
September 2021

Yosemite is a beautiful place - but only because so many people have worked to take care of it! In 2004, Yosemite climber Ken Yager got fed up with all the toilet paper littering Yosemite Valley and he launched the first ever “Yosemite FaceLift” with a goal of picking up trash. In the last 16 years of these annual events they have picked up over a million pounds of trash!  Click here for more on the history of the FaceLift. FaceLift happens, for 2021, from September 22-26th.  

BAS Founder/President Greg Weisman can’t seem to go to Yosemite without taking people up Half Dome so he will take those who want to join him on Monday to hike the famous 12-14 hour day hike ascending and decending about 5,000 vertical feet over the 16 mile trail (round trip).   Hiking Half Dome is not a requirement of the trip – some may choose to stay in the Valley and help with more trash clean-up during the FaceLift week.    

FOR: Adults and Youth Ages 12+ (younger if approved by Greg) 

COST:
For 3 days, 2 nights: TBA 
$TBA/BAS Premuim Member  $TBA/non-member 
For 8 days, 7 nights: TBA (space for 5)
$TBA
 
Additional Cost for Hiking Half Dome:  $39 per person

INCLUDED:
  • Shared Campsites
  • Greg's Leadership and guidance on the trail
  • Half Dome Permit (we'll have everyone apply for multiple permits - participants will be coached in getting them)
  • Cable Safety Harness
  • Custom Map 
  • Possible guided hike to Sierra Point (TBD)
  • Special BAS Devotions & Desserts every night
  • Easy Ups, chairs, lanterns at our base camp
  • Campfire for mornings/evenings (gas campfire ring)
  • Fresh brewed coffee in the morning!
  • Special BAS Hiking Resources including mini-packets of Electrolyte Tabs, duct tape, ibuprofen, sunscreen, gloves for the Half Dome Cables, etc.
​
NOT INCLUDED: 
  • Meals  
  • Camping Equipment (some loaner equipment available like tents, tarps, lanterns, stoves, pots/pans, etc. but these must be requested through Greg in advance)
Note: Pets and alcohol are not permitted on BAS events. ​
WHAT TO BRING:
  • Camping gear (tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, cooking gear, etc) 
  • Work clothes appropriate for the weather for while picking up trash (closed toed shoes recommended).
  • Normal hiking/camping clothing appropriate for the weather
  • Food, though there is a restaurant and grocery store available in Half Dome Village a short walk or bike ride from camp.
  • We recommend bringing a bicycle, helmet, and bike lock for transportation in the Valley.  Don’t own one?   Consider renting one and bringing it with you!  It’s really the best way to get around Yosemite Valley.
  • BAS cannot coordinate or provide carpools - but you can post on the Meetup comments to coordinate among yourselves.


OTHER DETAILS:
  • Wondering if you can do Half Dome? This is the most challenging hike in Yosemite Valley and it is not for the faint of heart.  You must be in good physical condition.  It can be hazardous to your health.  People die on the Half Dome cables almost every year but with proper planning, preparation, training, and with Greg’s guidance, you have the best chance of making it! You will often hear him say, “The better shape you are in, the more fun the hike will be!” so start training now!  Greg’s training regimen?  When not able to hike/train outdoors, he wears his backpack in the gym while on the stair master or treadmill for up to two hours at a time. Please read How To Successfully Hike Half Dome by Greg for many helpful tips.
  • We have campsites in Upper Pines for this trip.
  • People will be in their own tents.  
  • There is only room for two vehicles to be parked at each campsite - all others will be parked close by in overflow parking.  
  • NOTE:  There is a $35 per car National Park Entrance Fee to get into Yosemite National Park that is good for one week.  BAS cannot organize carpools but you can!  Just put a note on Meetup that you would like to carpool and connect with others. ​

​Questions? Email camping@baysideadventuresports.com
A current BAS Premium Membership is required the member discount free access membership is not valid for discount.) For individuals it's only $49/year! Families are $99/year.) For more Information about membership and to join www.baysideadventuresports.com/membership. 
OUR SCHEDULE:
  • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st
    Campers can go to Yosemite Valley any time but check in at our campsites will not be available until 1pm. That evening the FaceLift launches that night with an evening program about 7pm.  

  • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd
    We’ll register for the FaceLift about 8am and spend the day picking up trash until about 4pm, head to camp for dinner then enjoy the evening FaceLift program which starts with a raffle at 5pm and then the evening program at 7pm.  We’ll have a devotional time around the campfire when we get back. 

  • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd


  • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th

  • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th
     Note: Those planning to hike Half Dome will apply for Half Dome Permits between 12am and 1pm (early Sunday morning or late Saturday Night if you are a night-owl).  Each of us will apply for Half Dome Permits under the Daily Lottery at https://bit.ly/2lqod4F, attempting to get permits for Monday, September 26th.  We will each apply for 4 permits.  It costs $10 to apply.  
  • SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th
    Yosemite Facelift runs 8am  - 2pm with raffle at 3pm and a Thank You Dinner at 6:30pm.  We will also have a group meeting for those hiking Half Dome to talk through prep for the hike.
  • MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th  
    Those hiking Half Dome will meet at 5am for a continental breakfast of coffee, oatmeal, bagels with cream cheese, pastries, & juice.  Goal is to be on the trail at 5:30am, hiking with the light of headlamps until the sun rises about 6:45am.   Most will return to camp between 5pm and 7pm. 
  • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th
    We will have to pack up and depart from the campsite by noon.   

​