Any tips for backpacking/camping in Yosemite in mid-May?
October 19, 2011 by Hikerama
Filed under backpacking tips
will I freeze my butt off? I’ve never camped in a tent overnight anywhere before. I hear that Yosemite has a lot of snow. Any tips for a newbie?
Normally in mid-May there would be no snow at all in the valley in Yosemite, only on the mountains around the valley. This year there was VERY little rain fall, so they are saying that the waterfalls will start to dry out much earlier than usual.
The weather is unpredictable. My guess is that in mid-May you will look at no snow but early morning temperatures in the low 40s and afternoon temperatures in the 60s or maybe 70s. But it could be cooler. Probably very nice.
By the way, you can see Yosemite web cams at http://www.yosemite.org/vryos/
The one from Ahwahnee Meadow is in the Valley, so you can see for yourself what it is like.
dont feed baby bears!!!!!!1
Camp in the Valley at one of the campsites since you are inexperienced. That way if you need help you will have it. April and may are the best months to see Yosemite because of the lack of crouds. But You need to have a sleeping bag that is rated for 20 degrees or colder. The lows at night are currently 33 degrees or colder. Be prepared fro rain and even the possibility of snow. This means carry chains and be prepared. Also all of your food must be stored in bear proof containers. Not locked in your Car! Many tourists every year get their interiors of their cars and trucks totaled out because bears wanted the food stored inside. Have a blast! I just got back from a weekend trip last week in the rain and had a blast!
if you’re going backpacking in Yosemite in may, then it will get cold overnight. make sure you have a good sleeping bag and warm clothes. Start out by weraing your warm clothes into the sleeping bag – if you’re too warm you can always strip off some.
MOSQUITOES. bring bug block with either Deet or Picaridin as the active ingredient. with Deet you only need about a 10% solution, with Picaridin you want at least 10%. buy a headnet – the mosquitoes will buzz in your ears and your eyes otherwise. they show up pretty much right after the snow melts off, and this was a dry winter.
this is all backpacking advice – if you’re just drive-in camping in the valley the mosquitoes hoepfully won’t be so bad.
You won’t “freeze your butt off” if you bring a properly rated mummy style sleeping bag, good down to between 20 and 32 degrees, either synthetic or down, and closed cell foam sleeping pad, and sleep under some sort of shelter, tent or tarp.
You might also bring a puffy jacket or fleece jacket or sweater for cool evenings around camp, along with a fleece or synthetic beanie hat/watch cap.
In case of rain you should always bring a coated nylon or one-use cheap PVC poncho and/or a lightweight umbrella, or if you feel like spending a lot of money, a Gore-Tex type rain suit, because if you get wet and cold you could develop hypothermia and your trip, or even your life, could be over.
http://www.the-ultralight-site.com/symptoms-of-hypothermia.html