Yosemite National Park
2024 TBD

California

Wheelchair Icon

Skill Level:
No experience necessary!

Level 4

Accessibility Rating:
5 = Most Accessible
1= Least Accessible

Rock Climbing

Category:
Rock Climbing

tent

Lodging:
Camping

Group Size

Group Size:
10 – 25

COST: FREE for Veterans

Limited Space Available!

Stay Tuned!
COVID-19 Guidelines

Thanks to generous donors like you, this program is FREE for all veterans with a disability. With your financial support we are able to provide all lodging, food, technical climbing equipment, professional guidance, and assistance with travel costs for participants.

Donate here to help us reach $5,000 and support a trip of a lifetime for veterans with disabilities.

Donate Here to Support our Yosemite Trip

OVERVIEW

Be a part of a community redefining what it means to be adaptive.

This annual veteran-focused event marks the eighth year of coming together in the meadows, under the shadows of the United States’ grandest walls, to commemorate the events of September 11th, 2001. We are building a community of adaptive climbers and able-bodied volunteers, veterans and civilians, that ensures the support needed to challenge ourselves and others in the outdoors. Whether or not you have climbed before, are a veteran or a civilian with a disability, this trip focuses on giving adaptive climbers the tools, resources, and education get out on the rock!

World renowned for its 3,000 ft glacier-polished granite walls, Yosemite National Park has been a mecca for rock climbers for nearly two centuries – and the pilgrimage to “The Valley” is one every climber longs to take. The two great awe-inspiring beasts of Yosemite, the faces of Half Dome and El Capitan, bring climbers from around the globe here, to climb and connect. Priority registration will be given for Veterans.

**Note: For this year’s Yosemite Climbing Trip, proof of Covid-19 Vaccination is required to attend.**

ACCESSIBILITY

Yosemite National Park and the YNP Staff’s goal is to provide the highest level of accessibility to visitors as possible, each year making improvements in both physical and programmatic accessibility at Yosemite. The Yosemite Valley floor is virtually flat, with paved paths and wide trails, and many of Yosemite’s most iconic landmarks can be seen from the meadow. For more information, check out the park’s Accessibility Guide here (last updated 2015).
The approach to the climbing sites can be varied, but is generally paved or packed dirt trails. Depending on mobility level and climbing site, the approach can range from 20 minutes to 45 minutes and can require the assistance of volunteers. The trail accessibility for chair users and those with limited mobility is generally very good. Participants will have ample support in traveling over this terrain by staff, guides and volunteers but should have a base level of comfort traveling in variable terrain. If you have limited mobility, and have questions on the approach/accessibility, please contact us.
Paradox Sports strives to serve all individuals regardless of ability, and encourages individuals considering this program to review our Essential Eligibility Criteria here. If you have specific questions about this program, please contact us at info@paradoxsports.org.

TRIP SCHEDULE

NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change.
A finalized schedule will be emailed to you before the trip.

DAY 1

12 PM – 4PM: Arrive in at Yellow Pine Campground, camp setup
6 PM: Welcome dinner and program overview
8 PM: Campfire

DAY 2

8 AM: Breakfast at Camp
9 AM – 4 PM: Full day of climbing
6 PM: Dinner at camp
8 PM: Campfire hangout under the stars

DAY 3

8AM: Breakfast at Camp
9 AM: 9/11 ceremony in the meadow with Yosemite National Park staff
9 AM – 2 PM: Half day of climbing
6 PM: Potluck style dinner with guests, volunteers and YNP staff
8 PM: Campfire 9/11 Ceremony

DAY 4

8AM: Breakfast at Camp
8 AM – 12 PM: Breakdown camp, pack up and depart
Photos
FAQs
Packing List

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We encourage participants to have basic outdoor experience and at minimum an introductory understanding of either rock climbing. Each year we welcome first-time climbers into our community, right alongside some of the best in the world. There will be routes available for a wide variety of skill levels, and coaches to help you succeed – whatever your goal may be. Our climbing will range from 5.7-5.10, with the majority of routes falling around the 5.8-5.9 range.

We will be staying at the Yellow Pine Campground. Look for Paradox Sports Signs at the entrance and visit the camp host with any questions. This campground offers primitive campsites with tent spaces. There is no electricity and no running water at the campground. Bears and other wildlife are commonly seen throughout Yosemite valley. The use of ‘bear boxes’ is required for all food, and scented items. These are provided at all campsites.
This trip is a car camping trip – please come prepared for all weather! Individuals should be prepared to bring their own camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, pads, cook setup, etc.). Paradox Sports has some gear available to loan if requested during registration. Campers will use accessible restrooms at the campground (vault toilets – a permanent structure with a toilet but no running water) and during the day while climbing.  You may visit one of the multiple shower facilities within Yosemite Valley during your stay. There are coin operated accessible showers with hot water, if you choose to use them. However, most campers bathe in the river!

All participants and climbing assistants are responsible for their transportation to and from the event as well as during the weekend.
Travelers that fly to California can rent a car in Fresno (2.5 hours away) or Sacramento (3 hours away). Paradox Sports can help connect you with rideshare options if available from other participants or volunteers joining, depending on location. During registration you will have the option to request carpool, and include where you will be coming from.
There are many ways to get to Yosemite in all directions – including from San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Reno, and Las Vegas. For more information on traveling to Yosemite visit https://www.travelyosemite.com/discover/getting-here/

We encourage climbers to bring their own personal gear if possible, including a harness, helmet, and climbing shoes. All group gear, including ropes, anchor material, bouldering pads will be provided. Climbers will also need to bring all personal camping gear, including tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and appropriate clothing. Paradox Sports has a limited range of climbing shoes, helmets, harnesses, and camping gear available to loan if you need to borrow please indicate in your registration. You can see a full packing list for trips at the button above, and we are happy to answer any questions about gear that you might have!

Paradox Sports will provide all meals starting the evening of Day 1 through breakfast on Day 4. Individuals are responsible for packing their own lunches with food provided and snacks during the day at the crag. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, please include that in your registration.

Due to the nature of this program, climbing assistants should have previous experience on a Paradox Sports trip, attended a Paradox Sports volunteer training, Adaptive Climbing Initiative course, and/or be an experienced climber. We encourage all assistants to have experience in the outdoors. Assistants are expected to belay, be comfortable assisting others through variable terrain, and have at least an introductory understanding of climbing and the associated equipment. Paradox Sports reserves the right to assign assistants to appropriate roles based on the assessment of experience, skills, comfort and overall ability.
Assistants register through the link above, and select “Assistant Climber Registration”. The cost for assisting with the same as the cost for adaptive climbers. As a non-profit, we need to cover our cost to operate and this includes both participants and assistants pitching in to cover trips costs. Often the lines between “participant” and “assistant” are indistinguishable as we enjoy a weekend of climbing as a community. Registration fees for everyone cover food, lodging, equipment, professional guides, extra programming, insurance, and other overhead for planning the trip. It takes a lot to make these programs succeed – we thank you for your contribution both physically and financially.
If you are an AMGA certified guide and want to volunteer guide time on any of our programs, please contact our Program Manager Sam Sala at sam@paradoxsports.org.

What’s Included:

•    Professional guides and instruction with a ratio of 2:1
•    Camping and Guide Fees
•    Meals: Paradox Sports will provide all meals starting Day 1 through breakfast Day 4
•    Gear: Technical rock climbing equipment (please indicate your gear needs in your registration)
•    Limited Edition Paradox Sports Legacy Trips T-Shirt!

What’s Not Included:

•   Transportation: All participants and volunteers are responsible for getting to and from the event, as well as transportation during the weekend.
•   Park Entrance Fee ($30): since participants and volunteers will be arriving independently to the park, you are responsible for the entrance fee at the gate.
•   Guardian / Partner registrations: Each registration is for one individual only. If your friends, significant other, guardian or personal aid would like to join, we ask that they register as a volunteer for the trip and that they are eager and willing to be an active part of the community for the weekend!
•   Alcohol is not included, and not permitted while on Paradox Sports programs.
* For information on financial assistance please see more details here.

Unfortunately, due to the nature of our programs, Paradox Sports has a no pets policy.  If you have a service animal that you plan to bring with you on a program, please be sure to let us know in advance and familiarize yourself with this Service Animal Agreement.  We will require a signed copy of this agreement from anyone bringing a service dog with them on the trip.  If you bring any animals on a program that are not service animals, you may be asked to leave without reimbursement.

We have a cancellation policy to ensure the maximum number of climbers can attend and spots do not go unused.
If you cancel:
•   Since this trip is free for participants, we have an extensive waitlist. Please let us know at your earliest convenience if you are unable to attend so that we can open a spot for another climber!
•   For cancellations due to emergency situations and special cases, please contact us to discuss options. We will work with you for the best solution.
*If you are asked to leave any Paradox Sports event by staff due to inappropriate behavior, you will not be refunded any fees in association with the trip or event, no matter the duration that you were in attendance. 

Yosemite National Park and the YNP Staff have long been supportive of Paradox Sports and adaptive climbing, and we couldn’t do this trip without their support! Thank you!!

Questions? Please contact us at info@paradoxsports.org or by phone 720-638-5593

Sign the Yosemite Trip Waiver

SPONSORS

Thank you to our 2023 Yosemite Sponsor:

Veterans United Foundation