The Yosemite Picnic! What a day. What an idea. I remember when I first found out about the Teton Picnic back in graduate school and I was like, damn, I wonder if I'd ever do something like that. Fast forward 10 years and we've done a varietal- one that is much more close to home- the Yosemite picnic. Been dreaming of this one since I first saw Jason & Ryan's effort 5 years ago, glad to get it done.
Started out a bit later than expected (~3:54 AM PST) but hadn't arrived to the valley until ~11 PM the night before so was operating on ~3 hours of sleep. Had all my food and gear in bike packing bags, and my running vest. The bike has been described as a bit of a grind and that's pretty darn accurate- slog through the ups, appreciate the downs. Savoring the sun when it finally peeks through. Got to the lake ~8:15 AM, put my bike behind a tree right near a little runoff stream in between the south and north side of the west shore.
Tenaya Lake's temperature was stellar. Not too warm, not too cold, clear as can be (which would come in handy on the other side when I discovered my filter was clogged). I started on the run at ~9:32 AM after hanging my wet suit & dry bag on a tree, and filling up water. Tenaya peak climbed smoothly and I exchanged two of my bottles of lake water for some stream water on the approach because I thought it might be a little cleaner- so far so good. Summited in just over an hour, and made my way over to Matthes Crest.
Matthes Crest was amazing per usual, but the wind was howling. Maybe 4 or 5 climbing groups on the traverse and everyone was happy to let me sneak past. I stayed perhaps a little too true to the ridge this time around, which made for some exciting down climbs but overall took er slow and steady.
Jet over to Cathedral peak and somehow opted for an adventurous route up the SE buttress. I wandered up climbers left of the "main" route where there were loads of people and I'd say there were a few sections of in your face and full of grass 5.8 that I'd rather have avoided if I had the energy to climb down and around. Eventually wandered over to the main route just before the two fun & cruxy hand cracks at the top. Summited within a few minutes and gave thanks for a safe and successful Triple - Respect the mountain and the mountain respects you.
Scrambled down to cathedral lake and grabbed some water that I wouldn't end up drinking, as I opted to wait for the bigger and deeper Tenaya lakes unfiltered water (again so far so good). Struggled back across still waters, cramping a bit in the calves at the end but making it with a bit of patience and grit.
Hopped back on the bike, said hello to the moon and goodbye to the sun. Enjoyed the fast descents and lamented the tedious climbs. Blasted back to the Valley and basked in the glory of the day. Grateful for a safe return. What a special day.
Time breakdowns:
Bike 1 (3:54 AM): 4 hrs 21 minutes 27 seconds
Transition 1: 15 min
Swim 1: 39 min 50 seconds
Transition 2: 22 min
Run: 7h 50 min 40 seconds
Transition 3: 12 min
Swim 2: 40 min 13 seconds
Transition 4: 19 min
Bike 2: 2hr 31 min 34 seconds --> (9:04 PM)
Big thanks to Jason and Ryan for the vision, and to Megan for the support at the start and the end of the day. (editor's note: it was clarified that Megan only provided well wishes in the morning and picked him up after, no support was given throughout the effort)
Can't seem to add link to my instagram highlight story, but here it is (https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17989966922849037/)