I would like to express my appreciation to Ms. Weyforth for the use of her wonderful photograph of Half Dome.  Its splendor is forever etched in my soul!  

Our hike from Little Yosemite Valley to the pass of Clouds Rest put the Majestic Beauty of Half-Dome, like a sentinel, standing guard over God's Splendor, always within our sights.  This picture means more than you can ever imagine. God bless you and yours!

To see more of Ms. Weyforth's  photography visit her

Again Wendy, Thank You!

Sincerely,
Terry Gentry

I have been keeping a paper copy of this log for the last twenty three years in a box I had been keeping my old scouting stuff in. I think that this is amazing, sense most thirteen year old boys, (or a thirty-seven year old man) can hardly keep track of their socks for a week, much less a piece of paper for all those years. It was originally hand typed, on green paper and given to all the scouts and adults that had participated in an adventure into the wilderness that one summer so many years ago.

I felt it would be nice to put it on the WEB to share with others after a visit to my brothers hiking page, and seeing he also still felt and thought about that trip the same way as I.

Now I know, that not everyone will get the same thing that I get from it when I read it. But it just may make you think back to your younger days and some adventure you were apart of, and help spark those special memories of your childhood that help to make us what we are.

Adults:

  Assistant Scout Master, Norman Payson-  N.P.
  Committeeman, Mr. Ramon Lazada-  R.L.
  Citizen, J. Riddle - J.R.

Scouts:

  Senior Patrol Leader,  Tony Adrid-  T.A.
  Scout 1st class, Steve Glover- S.G.
  Scout 1st class,  Tony Gentry-  T.G.
  Scout 2nd class,  Dennis Waddelow-  D.L.W.
  Scout 2nd class,  Mike Bryant-  M.B.
  Scout 2nd class,  Terry Gentry- TE. GEN.

Where did a my energy go?-- fell with Minaret Falls!  J.R
 
I hate it! I hate it!  TE. GEN

I still wonder why we met a sign that said 6 miles to go and 2 1/2 later we still had 6 miles to go. N.P.

Mosquitoes, mosquitoes and more mosquitoes. D.L.W.

Up down, Up down, Up down, Up down. T.G.

As we got to our first campsite, I was half dead .  I looked at the nice cold lake and said, "well tomorrow  will be a hot day and I would wake up at 6:00 AM and go swimming". But when I got up at 6:00,  I had a hard time defrosting.  M.B.

Make sure that NOBODY puts stuff in your pack without asking  you first. S.G.

I told you once and I'm telling you again, I don't know why the heck I'm  here but it's FUN! R.L.

Watch out when you climb trees for Norman's bright ideas.  The first branch is a dousy. T.A.

There's a North, South, East and West Wind.  But where is my second w- - - ? J.R.

Three basic things - shoulders, hips, and feet. S.G.

Yesterday, I killed 42 mosquitoes.  Today 42 killed me. D.L.W.

It was so cold this morning, I thought I was an iceberg.  N.P.

Late entry Mr. Gentry, How much further do we have to go? Count your paces, boys.  J.G.

For every down switch-back there is an up one just as steep.  Makes you feel like a yo-yo.  J.G.

Anywhere you camp there is wind like a hurricane.  TE. GEN.

When I got into camp,  I plunged into the cold mountain water.  I sure got out in a hurry and that's the truth.  M.B.

You have to be a polar bear to live here.  T.G.

Head a sweating, heart pumping like mad, knee's a shaking, toes are hurting, but you've got to get there to be with the gang.  R.L.

When I first hit the snow, I ran to it and slid down.  WOW!, what a thrill, even when I had a cold.  T.A.

We made it up Donohue Pass, Thursday's chow and I.  J.R.

I don't know what  got heavy first, the backpack or my feet. N.P.

Everything was going fine  until we got to Donohue Pass.  The tram was "Out of Order".  J.G.

The "Turtles" beat the "Hairs" up the pass.  TE. GEN.

Never estimate the top of the mountain you will never get there. D.L.W.

Never say you are going to do something unless you're really going to do it.  D.L.W.

Make sure you always bring a sewing kit.  S.G.

I went all the way up 2.8 miles from Lyell Canyon without sitting down.  P.S. Don't do it!  T.G.

but Mr. Ranger, I don't want to sleep with your bears.  I'll just go back to the high country.  J.G.

I thought I would never make it.  Toes sore.  Just about to give up ...... but making jokes along the way makes a
difference.  I made it today! J.R.

Whenever you do anything, even drop a load, make sure you ask the HIGH COMMAND for permission. T.A.

Never go down snow on your rear.  You don't feel so good when you hit the bottom.  M.B.

The fish keep jumping, but no bites.  TE. GEN.

I felt like a yo-yo yesterday after all the mountains we went up and down .  Maybe it will be easier Thursday.  N.P.

Wash day.  Who said "nothing shrinks in cold water"? J.R.

Never have confidence in a person who says he is going , but would not. S.G.

The fish are very easy to catch and cook. TE. GEN.

We did get away from the bears, but we still have the Big Mouths.  J.G

Sunshine felt so good in the morning, the sent of pines reminds you of Christmas, and getting cleaned up makes you feel great! Unknown.

I went swimming the hard way.  T.G.

It felt good to know that I could dive off  a rock, 8 ft. tall, into the water. M.B.

Don't believe one has to use store bought flies.  We made one out of  Terry's hair and it worked fine.  N.P.

Out of the night when the moon is bright there rides a bear named Clyde.  He'll take your home fixings, but leave your frizzed-dried.  The Valley is littered with food bags,... hence.  We fooled that Clyde with an electric fence.  J.R.

Yesterday I told Steve that Tarzan was coming down the trail....turned out to be Jane with no top on.  M.B.

Woke during the night and it sounded like someone was destroying the camp.  Found out that some idiot left his pack out because he thought the bears didn't like cereal.  That bear sure fooled him.  N.P.

Bears, bears, and more bears.  I hate those bears, but the bears like me. TE. GEN.

The fish are very easy to catch and cook. TE. GEN.

6th day on the trail and Mr. Lazada finally picked up his pace.  Was it caused by conditioning or fright of Yogi's friends on the trail.  J.G.

Who was that guy up ahead wearing weighted divers shoes? J.R.

Clouds Rest is properly named by the Indians.  When you get  in the clouds, you sure need a rest.  J.G.

Mr. Gentry finally found a peak or mountain that was worse than San Jacinto, as far as hiking goes. N.P.

My feet got so tired that my dogs almost died. TE. GEN.

UP, UP, and away!  I thought I was going to kiss God's feet. S.G.

I hiked up 3,800 feet.  When I got to camp I felt like I hiked 8,000 feet high.  WOW! What an experience!  M.B.

That hill was so steep that the clouds had to rest. T.G.

We finally made it. TE. GEN.

Down, down, and down some more.  I thought I was going to kiss the Devil's forehead. S.G

And I thought they said there was a Mc Donald's at Tenaya Lake.  I'd go get even with those dudes, but it's too high to climb.  N.P.

I'm glad that I made it.  I really would like to say it; I had a wonderful time.  OH my!  Fishing, swimming, skiing, and eating.  I'm glad that's it. M.B.

I want to die.  I want to die.  Let me die. T.G.

It was only a stones throw or a boulders roll down to Tenaya. J.R.

Home sweet home and Howard Johnson's Smorgasbord here  I come. D.L.W.

Bears, bears, everywhere.  Not a one did we see.  They didn't  even get our scent, or did they?  J.G.

Walking, hiking?  Ok.  Struggling, blisters on my toes.  Blisters on my soles.
You say I drag my feet and am always the last to make it on all fours.  R.L.

I can't wait to reach Mc Donald's and some decent food.  I am glad we're on our way home. M.B.

Old Mc Donald had a farm and on that farm he had some French fries, cheeseburgers, 1/4 ponders, Coke, etc., etc... N.P.

Bus, bus, bus we are crust and dust. S.G.

For once my dogs are wagging their tails. T.G.

My world brightened up when I saw the bus driver.  Watch out!  Here I come "Mama".  R.L.

I'm homeward bound.  When I get home, I'll be cruising down to Sir George's T.A.

We are going to our homes so we can get defrosted by heat. TE. GEN.

Can not understand scouts eagerness to partake  of carry-out food after eight days of the most delightful cuisine. J.R.

Nine days ago, I left with 6 boys, full packs, and promises.  Today we depart with empty packs, sore feet and still have 6 boys. J.G.

My last official day as an A.S.M.  Good luck from me to all of you scouts and may you all prosper in life and all your
undertakings. Norman Payson.