Kris Koeller's Blog: Yosemite

August 14, 2012 at 02:17 PM 123 2 1

Yosemite at Night

Photography, Yosemite

Last month we were in Yosemite National Park for our annual Yosemite getaway. This was my first trip with the new Nikon D800, and despite having little experience with the camera I set out late at night to attempt to photograph the Milky Way over our campsite. I wish I had done my homework prior, because after fidgeting with the settings for an hour or so, I didn't really get what I was looking for. In this photo, you can see the stars over head and the nearby tress illuminated by my headlamp ...

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July 29, 2012 at 03:31 PM 86 3 4

Back to the Campfire

Food: New York, Instagram, iPhone, Yosemite

A week after Yosemite and I'm making s'mores again. This time as dessert at Gyu-Kaku Japanese-style Korean barbecue in Midtown. Before you ask, its tasty. View on instagram....

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July 24, 2012 at 09:40 PM 351 53 11

13 Years of Yosemite

National Parks, Yosemite

This past weekend we enjoyed our 13th annual summer camping trip in Yosemite National Park. The weather was perfect, with warm sunny days and cool nights. Last year we saw the most water in all the years I've been to Yosemite, but this year we saw the least. Yosemite Falls, Bridal Veil falls and the Merced River were nearly bone dry. Nevertheless, a good time was had by all in attendance. We flew into San Francisco Thursday night, and after many delays and baggage woes, finally go to the hotel...

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July 22, 2012 at 04:00 PM 88 11 4

The El Capitini with Carabiner

Instagram, iPhone, National Parks, Yosemite

The Ahwahnee's signature cocktail is basically a Cosmo, with a faux "keepsake" carabiner. I'm not complaining, by the way. Hit the spot.View on instagram....

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July 6, 2012 at 07:31 AM 36 3 0

Friendly Reminder: Yosemite 13 July 20!

National Parks, Yosemite

Note: this note is about the upcoming Yosemite event. If you're not interested, please ignore this post. The next and last annual Yosemite outing, Yosemite 13: Coda, is coming up in three weeks. If you're planning to come, leave a comment in the comments section below, confirm on the event planner at http://www.kriskoeller.com/events/ or simply reply to this email. Thanks to the Jacobs for hosting Saturday breakfast! We arrive around midnight on July 19 and leave Monday afternoon. We're very muc...

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March 15, 2012 at 10:05 AM 114 20 4

Yosemite 13 Finale: Save the Date - July 20!

National Parks, Yosemite

This morning I booked the Hodgdon Meadow campground for what will likely be the last of the annual Yosemite trips. 13 years feels like a good run, but with everyone's busy lives and our relocation to the east coast, the logistics have become more complicated and the novelty has worn a bit thin. I'm hoping we have a big turn out and leave with a bang, so please mark your calendars accordingly; arrive on Friday July 20 and depart on Sunday July 22. More details to follow, but look for the official...

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January 23, 2012 at 08:13 PM 67 19 16

Whither Yosemite?

National Parks, Yosemite

Note: this is a post and survey about the annual Yosemite trip. This was sent only to those who've attended in the past, expressed an interest in attending in the future, or anyone I think might like to go. If you're not interested in Yosemite, feel free to ignore this message... Hard to believe, but its that time of the year to start thinking about booking our annual trip to Yosemite. I've already had a number of inquiries about this year's trip, which I haven't yet planned. If there's intere...

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September 27, 2011 at 03:17 PM 461 20 10

Daily Photo: The Caribbean Sea from Cancun

Beach, Cancún, Caribbean, Daily Photo, México, Yosemite

We're in full-tilt vacation planning mode and have been canvassing the archives for inspiration. This photo was taken in Cancun in July of 2010. We spent five days in Mexico before heading off to California for Yosemite XI. Warm and beachy sounds terrific, but with hurricane season in full swing until November 30, it feels risk. Any suggestions? The Caribbean Sea off the coast of Cancun, Mexico (click to enlarge) Related posts: Travels to Mexico: Three Day in Cancun All posts from Cancun Yo...

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August 2, 2011 at 11:02 AM 335 29 8

The Dangers of Climbing Half Dome

National Parks, Yosemite

This morning I read that on Sunday, July 31, a 26 year old woman from San Ramon, California fell over 600 feet to her death while descending the perilous cables atop the summit of Half Dome. This is the 14th fatality in Yosemite National Park this year, but the only on Half Dome (two weeks ago three hikers ignored warnings and ventured beyond the safety barriers above Vernal Falls, and paid for this costly lapse of judgment with their lives). These deaths are tragic, and serve as a sobering re...

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July 13, 2011 at 11:25 AM 456 27 18

Weekend in Yosemite and Climbing Half Dome

HDR, National Parks, Video, Yosemite

This past weekend we celebrated 12 years of Yosemite with our annual trip to California's most famous and most visited National Park. Attendance was lighter this year with around 20 in total, but great weather, great friends, great food and the most incredible water falls I've seen in years made for a terrific weekend trip. Jessica and I flew in from New York on Thursday to pick up the car, grab our camping gear and collect provisions for the trip. According to the Google, we traveled 2,458 mi...

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April 1, 2011 at 10:25 AM 163 11 1

Half Dome Update: No Permits

National Parks, Yosemite

At 9:59AM EDT, the website said 300 permits. At 10:00AM, once the page had reloaded, the website said R, meaning, "fully reserved." It would seem to have sold out in less than 5 seconds. So, unless anyone else was able to get permits, no Half Dome this year. Oh well. ...

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March 30, 2011 at 11:29 AM 186 10 0

Yosemite Update: Half Dome Permits on Sale April 1!

National Parks, Yosemite

Just a friendly reminder about the upcoming Yosemite trip this July. If you're interested in climbing Half Dome, you'll need a permit sold through the National Park Service. The permits cost $1.50, but they they are very high in demand. Permits for July will go on sale on April 1 at 7:00AM Pacific time, and will sell out in less than a minute. Tickets are sold on the National Park Service's website, recreation.gov. For more information on Half Dome permits, including instructions on how to get...

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March 9, 2011 at 03:01 PM 151 4 2

Terrific Day Hikes in Yosemite National Park

National Parks, Video, Yosemite

Below is embedded another terrific video from the Yosemite National Park YouTube channel. You can visit the channel directly here. The Ranger in this video highlights three of the more popular "strenuous" day hikes in Yosemite Valley. The quotes here are simply an attribution, and I would agree these are strenuous, but not nearly as strenuous as doing Half Dome. I've done two of these three many times. They are: 1. The Mist Trail: this hike is about 2/3 the way to the top of Half Dome and...

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March 2, 2011 at 12:23 AM 117 3 2

Yosemite's Horsetail Falls in February

National Parks, Video, Yosemite

Another amazing video from the official Yosemite YouTube channel, highlighting the unique and fleeting sunset over Horsetail Falls. ...

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February 15, 2011 at 10:50 AM 358 26 12

Friendly Reminder: Yosemite XII is July 8-10!

National Parks, Yosemite

I know it seems like months away, and it is, but Yosemite 12 will be upon us sooner than you realize. Be sure to mark your calendar for July 8-10 and we hope to see everyone in attendance. If you're planning to come, please click through the link and indicate in the comments that you're planning to attend and how many. Its not too late for us to get another smaller campsite if necessary, but we'll only do that if there's more than 30 people expected. Looking forward to another balmy and exciting...

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January 20, 2011 at 03:03 PM 73 0 0

Interesting Ice Formations at Yosemite National Park

National Parks, Video, Yosemite

Also, check out their YouTube channel, lost of terrific content therein. ...

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July 26, 2010 at 08:46 PM 265 30 0

Camera Comparison - Nikon D80 vs iPhone 4

Geekdom, National Parks, Photography, Yosemite

These two photos are nearly identical, though one was taken with my Nikon D80 and the other with an iPhone 4. Can you tell which is which? ...

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July 26, 2010 at 01:40 AM 248 20 9

Yosemite XI - Epilogue

National Parks, Yosemite

This year's group: Jill, Paulina, Ingrid, Kevin, Mimi, Jay, Jason, Alison, Jessica, Cyrus, Vanessa, Kris, Dan, John, Carey, Nola, Evan, Robbin, Brian, Christine, Mark, Jeff, Daisy and Christine II. Not pictured: Tod, Jen, Giana and Isha. Update: Here's a link to this year's photos: Yosmite XI Photos Just got back from a terrific weekend in Yosemite National Park. This was our 11th annual Yosemite Trip, and we had 28 attendees this year. Many veterans, but some newbies as well. Thanks to ...

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May 13, 2009 at 03:45 PM 72 6 4

Yosemite X Video Highlights

National Parks, US Travel, Video, Yosemite

A few crudely edited video moments captured on our HD FlipCam. ...

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May 13, 2009 at 02:44 PM 65 3 4

The Story Behind the Photo

National Parks, Photography, Yosemite

Probably one of the more challenging feats during the annual Yosemite trip is getting everyone in one spot for the group photo. This usually involves me finding a suitable location, and sending a runner, or photographer's assistant, to grudgingly gather weary campers on a Sunday morning. At this point most people are trying to break camp, and most of the ladies are appalled at an early morning photo after no shower for 3 days. However, the result is usually worth the effort and is a useful re...

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May 10, 2009 at 11:03 PM 81 2 10

Yosemite X: Epilogue

National Parks, US Travel, Yosemite

Just got back from Yosemite X: Ten Years of Yosemite National Park. We had a great turnout this year, 31 people in total including 9 kids and 2 dogs. A few honorable mentions: John and Carey have attended all 10 Yosemite events and traveled all the way from Hawaii to attend. Mimi gets the award for furthest traveled, edging out John and Carey during her flight from New York. We had a terrific weekend; great weather, great food (Tod's turkey cooker was a hit) and great friends. ...

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May 9, 2009 at 08:25 PM 60 2 0

El Capitinis at the Ahwahnee

National Parks, US Travel, Yosemite

Not sure what's in them, but who cares. Beautiful weekend in Yosemite. ...

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August 12, 2008 at 04:05 PM 34 2 5

I'm Buying This for Yosemite 10

National Parks, Yosemite

My mom forwarded me this post about what can only be described as an over-the-top obnoxious RV. I hope it looks good in the driveway, because at $5 a gallon, I don't see this being driven much. ...

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May 7, 2008 at 10:05 PM 32 0 2

Maybe next year...

National Parks, Yosemite

The CampChef Expedition 3X modular propane cooking system at Costco. I like that its a system, but don't like that it weighs close to 100 pounds... Update: I did buy it the next year, and its easily one of the best camping purchases yet. ...

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May 6, 2008 at 03:25 PM 41 2 0

Poor Eric...Didn't Get the Memo

National Parks, Yosemite

Eric was really upset he didn't know about mandatory Yoemite Manpris. He did his best however.... ...

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May 4, 2008 at 11:41 PM 46 3 0

Yosemite Number 9: 2008

National Parks, Yosemite

Just got back from this year's annual Yosemite trip. The weather was amazing, and everyone had a good time as usual. Props to Carey for traveling all the way from Hawaii, and Mimi traveling in from New York (I think that's a tie). Anyway, getting amped for the Big 10 Anniversary next year...See the pictures here!...

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May 3, 2008 at 06:25 PM 41 3 0

Live from Glacier Point (iPhone Photo)

National Parks, Yosemite

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May 3, 2008 at 03:55 PM 51 5 0

Beautiful day at Yosemite (iPhone Photo)

National Parks, Yosemite

Unbeatable weather, unbeatable view. ...

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October 9, 2007 at 03:34 PM 172 6 5

Greetings from Yosemite National Park

National Parks, Travelogue, Yosemite

The national park I?ve visited the most is clearly Yosemite National Park. I estimate I?ve been to this park about 25 times in the past 12 years. Its nearby, a scant 180 miles, and seems to have a near endless list of things to do and see. 8 of those visits have been part of the Annual Yosemite Trip, a group outing of about 10-25 people going back to 2000. The most recent annual trip was this past May, and pictures from each trip are listed in the photo album section of this website. The ...

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May 13, 2007 at 10:56 PM 41 2 0

Yosemite 2007: Pictures Posted!

National Parks, Photography, Yosemite

Check out the Yosemite photo album. If you attended and want to post your pictures, please let me know. ...

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July 24, 2006 at 11:05 PM 44 3 0

Yosemite 7 Group Photo

National Parks, Photography, Yosemite

this year's group photo... ...

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July 24, 2006 at 11:05 PM 30 1 0

May Lake

National Parks, Yosemite

We hiked up to May Lake... ...

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July 24, 2006 at 11:04 PM 26 1 0

Hogdon Meadow

National Parks, Yosemite

This year we camped at the Hogdon Meadow campground ...

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July 23, 2006 at 08:39 PM 47 2 0

Yosemite 7: Bear Photo

National Parks, Photography, Yosemite

While enjoying the splendor of Yosemite, we happened upon this critter... ...

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July 7, 2005 at 08:54 AM 39 2 0

Yosemite 6 is July 8!

National Parks, Yosemite

Yosemite 2005 is July 8-10!...

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May 17, 2004 at 03:57 PM 27 0 0

Crazy!

Yosemite

I was in the site next to you crazy people. It was way to loud, you crazy punks. (I had a great time and I want to thank everyone for making it a good weekend.) Cheers to Kris...

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May 17, 2004 at 03:22 PM 36 0 0

See You Next Year!

Yosemite

Jen and I had a great time at Yosemite! Thanks for setting it up and we look forward to next year!!!!...

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January 17, 2004 at 02:20 PM 26 0 0

Yosemite 5: May 14-16!

Yosemite

Its official: The Yosemite 5 Year Jubilee will be May 14-16, 2004!...

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