I often say that Half Dome is our Mt. Everest. Well, the real Mt Everest is having some action now. May is the only month to climb the world’s highest peak. The jet stream by-passes the top and decent weather is prevalent. As part of the Chinese Olympic hoo-ha, they have sent a team up to the top with flames from the real torch.  The 19-member team, dressed in red parkas emblazoned with Olympic logos, broke camp at 27,390 feet before dawn and 5 men reached the summit of the 29,035-foot mountain a little more than six hours later. A live TV broadcast confirmed the trip. The team captain and the final torchbearer were both Tibetans. Now if they could only clear up the smog in Beijing the marathon runners might stand a chance.

Unrelated thought worth quoting: “I have only one burning desire, let me stand next to your fire." - The Jimi Hendrix Experience

*Carpe Diem Experience – Rick Deutsch –  www.HikeHalfDome.com*