“Who are those dirty people in that crowded campground with so much stuff?”
I have heard Yosemite visitors wondering this as they hike past Camp 4. Well, let me explain…
If rock climbing is something that interests you then Camp 4 can be thought of as a historical landmark. Yosemite itself is rich with climbing history. Many renowned climbers made legendary ascents on the park’s towering granite walls while making a home of Camp 4. Royal Robbins, whose line of outdoor apparel is at Trailsloggers, is one of these climbing legends.
During the 1940’s and 50’s climbers used Camp 4 boulders to sharpen their skills while not on the big walls. At this time, bouldering was thought of as practice. During the 50’s and 60’s bouldering started to be taken more seriously as a sport. Bouldering in Yosemite originated in Camp 4. Bouldering is a style of rock climbing that doesn’t use ropes and is most commonly done on rocks under 20 feet high. However, highball boulder problems can be 20+ feet. Super fun!
Here is a picture of me scrambling in Yosemite. I’m wearing a parachute on my back in case I slip off a cliff. Not really, not really! It’s a crash pad used for bouldering. The pad is put at the base of a rock to protect me from a fall. Come to the Valley and try it! I’ll spot you.