Trail Open! (Alpine Training)

So, while using up the last of my vacation, it became a good idea to go outside again. With Jim along (it was his suggestion) we strolled up the 4 Mile trail to Glacier Point, then down the Panorama trail past Nevada and Vernal. It has snowed a few times at the higher elevations, so we came prepared to do battle with the elements- me with crampons and Jim with Yaktraks for the shoes. Luckily, tennis shoes and thick socks were only needed for the (at most) 5 inches of packed down snow we encountered. Still, our number 1 ally of the day proved to be the trekking poles and the most dangerous part of the trail was on mile 13 heading down from Nevada on the Muir trail. I can't believe the gate is still open as these sheets of ice of today's postcard give witness to. Make it past three or four sections of this style of trail, then continue on past another 3 or 4 sections of sheer ice and then you find yourself safe. Still its all alpine training as I said; Jim saying he didn't want to make it too easy. But if we can make it up, we can make it down. And always in tennis shoes. Enjoy whomever reads this thing.