A friend convinced myself and another buddy to sign up for the 5 Day backpacking trip. None of us had ever backpacked before, and two of us had never seen Yosemite. From the earliest days of discerning which company to utilize, we were impressed by the rapid responses to our inquiries.
Our trip was in late September as we did not want to experience crowds or bugs. Our guides - Jack and Nicole - met us at Curry Village and took plenty of time to help us pack for the week. They looked through everything we had brought, and told us what to bring, and what to leave behind. Then, we packed our backpacks and started our adventure.
I am 59 years old and in excellent condition. I've done marathons and half-Ironman triathlons. This trip was a test of my endurance. The backpack is heavy (30 - 45#) and the routes are steep and long. You will be navigating terrain that is indescribably beautiful, but at the same time challenging. If you are not in reasonably good physical condition - choose another trip.
Jack and Nicole were amazing. Both of them are experienced rock climbers, and in addition to providing us history and insight into Yosemite, they were wonderful guides and managed the group with expertise well beyond their years. As our group was deciding which day to hike up to Half-Dome, we relied on their opinions concerning the weather. Thankfully, they were exactly right. We woke up at 3AM on our last day to trek in the dark to the cables of Half-Dome. Just before sunrise, we pulled ourselves to the top of one of the most iconic rock formations in the world. Don't miss the opportunity to stand on the top of Half-Dome, Clouds Rest, and Mt. Hoffman. Each summit is unique in it's own way.
My only criticism is with the sleeping pads provided. They are very thin! None of us slept well - but part of that was the cold. At night - the temperatures at 9000' where we were camping dipped into the 20's. We weren't prepared for that. But temperature aside, I would highly recommend that you purchase a thin, inflatable sleeping pad.
This trip will never be forgotten. Jack and Nicole - and the rest of the group - created a wonderful bond of friendship. Do yourself a favor and see one of the most majestic parks our planet has to offer.