Photographs taken January 11th, 2025
Crew Members:
Tristan Novak
Becca Phi
Carrie Fraire
Will Oh
Dehnis DelaCruz
Climbing Project: Baseboy (Bolted Variation) S 5.11-
Photograph taken November 4th, 2024 by Tristan Novak
Climber: Dehnis DelaCruz
Belayer: Will Oh
Trip Report: Yosemite October 13th-15th, 2023
Objective: Hike up Half Dome 16+ Mile Round Trip, No Permits, Cables Down
Crew Members: Dehnis DelaCruz and Nicholas Perez
October 13th, 2023 - Arrival
Departed San Diego at 6:00am.
Arrived at Yosemite Valley Tunnel View 1:47pm.
Set up Camp at Lower Pines Campground Site #066 with Jon-Ian, Tenaya, and Francis (aka Team Little Debbie 😁, they had already been crushing it in the valley for days before our arrival).
Supported the crew on a few boulder problems.
Then called it an early night for the big day the next morning.
October 14th, 2023 - Half Dome
Nic’s alarm was set for 4:30am and I had asked him to wake me up. Ate a small breakfast(an apple) to keep me light on my feet.
Our hike began at 5:06am with our headlamps on lighting our path.
Taking the Mist Trail, we passed Vernal Falls and could only hear the water crashing on the boulders below. We could see from a distance another party of two ahead of us from their headlamps.
As we hiked alongside the Merced River, the need for headlamps became unnecessary as the sun began to rise. The ascent up towards Nevada Fall had patches of vibrant Fall colors adding to the developing view.
Hiking through the terrain, the trees became less and less as we got closer to Sub dome.
We got to the top of Sub dome at 10:18am and already there was a good amount of people waiting their turn to ascend the cables. Had a snack break (another apple, almonds, and a fig newton) and then geared up with our harness, PAS(personal anchor system), Prusiks, and gloves.
Began our final ascent up Half Dome a little before 11am. Nic was able to capture a lot of GoPro footage on this section. His videos give a great representation of our efforts up to the summit. Thanks Nic for capturing these!
Because of the traffic of people, it took us a little over an hour to climb the last 400ft of cables. We reached the top and I looked over the edge of Half Dome at 12:14pm. We decided to enjoy the moment of our success and have lunch with an amazing landscape view.
After reaching our halfway point at 8+ miles in, we began our descent back to the valley floor a little after 1pm.
With most of the hard efforts now behind us, we powered through the rest of the hike trying to make it back to camp at a reasonable time. We decided not to extend our hike back through the John Muir Trail, mainly because I was definitely feeling the soreness kick in on my feet. We got back to the valley floor and arrived back at camp at 5:41pm. Total elapse time came out to 12hours and 35minutes.
October 15th, 2023 - Departure
Departed Yosemite Valley 7:18am.
Had a well deserved lunch at Panini Kabob Grill - Bakersfield. The food was delicious and I highly recommend it!
Arrived in San Diego at 4:58pm.
Reflection:
Another amazing trip to Yosemite in the books. This hike was my longest activity ever. I was a little intimidated at first because I haven’t done a hike at this length before. Also, I wasn’t sure how my endurance and fitness would hold up, since I haven’t been training as much as I would have liked. Sure enough though, I was able to overcome and accomplish the goal. I could not have done this without the help, encouragement, and motivation given by my good friend Nicholas. Thank you for the push(off the couch…lol)up/down the mountain. This gives me a new perspective of what the body is capable of. Thank you to my other crew members/camp mates(Jon-Ian,Tenaya, and Francis aka Team Little Debbie. We wouldn't have had this success without your help in letting us crash with you at your site. It's always a good time sharing stories next to a camp fire with you all. Looking forward to the next adventure and summit!
—DEHNIS
A few days in Big Sur 6/14-17/2022
Had a little adventure out in Big Sur for the first time with the crew, Stevee and Will. It was my first time learning the ropes on how to spot and keep on the look out for Jade. I made a short video of our experience.
—DEHNIS
Highlining in Truckee 8/7/2021
Just a day out highlining with the crew.
—DEHNIS
“For the Kids by JD” Project
Influencing the next generation of cyclists.
—DEHNIS
Red Rock - Wake Up Wall - 3/7/2021
Climbing :)
Alamaba Hills - January 20, 2022
Staying warm and climbing in Alabama Hills.
—Dehnis
September, October, November, and December 2021 Highlights
Below are a list of places I visited during the following months and a few photos from different areas.
September 2021
Mount Hood, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Olympic National Park, Washington
Tacoma, Washington
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
North Cascades National Park, Washington
Bellingham, Washington
Canada
October 2021
Seattle, Washington
Eugene, Oregon
Monoc National Forest, California
Mono Lake, California
Mammoth Lakes, California
Bishop, California
Mount San Jacinto, California
Joshua Tree National Park, California
November 2021
McCain Valley, California
December 2021
Joshua Tree National Park, California
—Dehnis
August 2021 Recap
Spent the last few days of July and the first 9 days of August in Reno,NV checking out the different climbing areas around Lake Tahoe(Donner Summit, Big Chief, Pie Shop Boulders, and Trippy Rock). I met and climbed with some amazing people during my time here. I jumped on a highline for the first time which I could not even stand on, so I just practiced getting on top of the line to sit. The highline that was set was over 250ft long across a small creek going from one tree on a hill side to another tree.
I then drove up to Oregon to avoid all of the fires and smoke, but later realized Oregon too had its own fires going on. I drove through Crater Lake National Park and stopped at different spots to take photos. The water of the lake was so blue.
Visited Bend and this was definitely a nice area. I was hoping to climb more but because of the heat it was hard to find climbing partners. I visited a lot of coffee shops, outdoor gear stores and went into the Deschutes National Forest for some sight seeing.
The best part of August was taking a Wilderness First Responder course in Mt Hood, Oregon. Taking this course during my road trip made this experience much more memorable. The information they taught us and the scenarios we practice are all things that I've been wanting to learn especially because I spend so much time outdoors. I can now take this knowledge and help someone in need in the backcountry.
Photos to come…
—DEHNIS
July 2021 Recap
July in Mammoth is always a remarkable experience. Spent most of my time relaxing by the lakes, hiking, and climbing.
—DEHNIS
Road Trip San Diego to Mammoth Lakes
I started this road trip just two weeks ago. First destination Mammoth Lakes California. Photo taken after the city of Lone Pine looking at the Eastern Sierras.
To new beginnings!
—DEHNIS
1st Red Rock Trad Lead - Ultra Glide, 3rd JTree Trad Lead - Nuts and Cherries
March month end report: Started with some amazing climbing in Red Rock Canyon and added a tick to my trad list. Then added another trad lead in Joshua Tree. Still working on that mental strength.
https://www.mountainproject.com/v/107048948
https://www.mountainproject.com/v/105722812
2nd Joshua Tree Trad Lead
Ended the month of February doing my second trad lead in Joshua Tree. Another amazing climb trip!
https://www.mountainproject.com/v/105722299
—DEHNIS
1st Joshua Tree Trad Lead
Did my first Joshua Tree Trad Lead two days ago using two cams and three slings. First followed on TR, then lead it clean. Fun times and amazing crew!
https://www.mountainproject.com/v/106145185
—DEHNIS
1202021- Inauguration day
Word of the day: Palindrome
https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/20/us/palindrome-date-2021-trnd/index.html
I Voted!
I Voted!
DEHNIS
Denver, Colorado October 2020
Took a short vacation to Denver, Colorado for some backpacking and climbing. This was my first backpacking trip and what better way to spend it was in the Rocky Mountains. To see the fall in Colorado was an amazing experience. Here are some photos from the trip.
- DEHNIS
Weight
Woke up and rode the moto into work today. I caught up on emails, which seems to never end. Had a few meetings and reported on some updates regarding a few action items. I was able to enjoy the rest of my evening riding home with a great sunset. I have been getting the urge to go back for a track day. Hopefully soon.
Been thinking about the food I eat and the weight I'm at. Since I haven't been as active lately because of Covid-19, I have gain some weight. Before everything had shut down, I was in good shape. Now, I have been interested in getting my weight down roughly 20lbs. The last time I was close to that was when I was in my peak cycling weight, a time I wasn't really dieting. Combining both cycling and climbing with proper diet, I am excited to see how my climbing will be.
Next adventure: (thinking)…
Next travel adventure: Denver, CO(PENDING)…
To be continued…
DEHNIS
Mexico at 12 pitches
I stand there looking back at a climb I have peaked twice, each which have changed my life. This photo was taken by Gabe H. on the last climbing day of our trip in El Potrero Chico, Mexico.