Physically unimpressive, Camp 4 nevertheless "served as a seedbed for the exchange of ideas, training and the development of new equipment that vastly improved the speed and safety of climbing" (LA Times) during the time from after World War II until around 1970.[3] Dozens of the most famous climbers in the world congregated at Camp 4 for years, learning from each other and trying out new ideas on Yosemite walls such as Half Dome and El Capitan. Yvon Chouinard (today known as founder of the outdoor clothing retailer Patagonia, Inc.) prototyped new kinds of climbing equipment in Camp 4 using an old anvil, and sold them in the nearby parking lot.[4][3]
From the 1970s on, a new group of climbers led by Jim Bridwell and others based at Camp 4 (known as the "Stone Masters" from 1973 to 80) introduced a more athletic approach to climbing and popularized free climbing.[5]
In the 1990s, Camp 4 was the site of ongoing friction between climbers and the National Park Service. The conflict came to a head in 1997, when flooding in Yosemite Valley destroyed many employee housing units and the Park Service proposed to build a three-story dormitory complex near Camp 4.[6] With the support of other activists, rock climber and climbing equipment manufacturer Tom Frost initiated a lawsuit against the Park Service, arguing that the buildings would disturb the camp's natural setting. The suit was joined by the American Alpine Club.[6] As part of their attempt to stop the construction project, Frost and his attorney Dick Duane also filed an application to have Camp 4 listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[6] The park officials ultimately agreed to stop the development plans and to support the NRHP application, which was granted in 2003, based on the camp's "significant association with the growth and development of rock climbing in the Yosemite Valley during the 'golden years' of pioneer mountaineering".[7][3]
From 1971 to 1999, Camp 4 was officially known as Sunnyside Walk-in Campground, but has been since renamed Camp 4 in recognition of its historic status.
A 2012 rockfall hazard report concluded that several campsites on the northern side of Camp 4 needed to be relocated to achieve adequate safety for climbers.[8]
The 2014 documentary Valley Uprising features veterans of Camp 4 including Warren Harding (dubbed "the original bad boy of Camp 4" for his risk-taking, rebellious attitude, and alcohol consumption), and Beverly Johnson (who in 1973 was part of the first all-female ascent of El Capitan).[9]
Reservations and availability
A 360 degree view of the Camp 4 campground in May 2013
Camp 4 does not offer traditional reservations at any time during the year, and the process for attaining a camping site differs depending on the season.[10] In 2019, a lottery system was enacted for the peak season of late May through mid-September. Only those applications successfully drawn in the lottery are assigned campsites during the lottery period. Outside of the daily lottery window (i.e. from late September through mid-May), site assignments are first-come, first-served. In spring and fall, a line of those wishing to camp here typically forms at the campground kiosk early in the morning.
A total of 36 sites are available daily, each accommodating a maximum of six people (i.e., 216 spots total) at a cost of US$10 per person per night. Notably, the Park Service has imposed a 30-night camping limit within Yosemite National Park per calendar year; however, from 1 May to 15 September, the camping limit in Yosemite is 14 nights, with only seven of those nights allowed in Yosemite Valley or Wawona. Because of the popularity of the camp, the relatively small number of camp sites, and the lack of reservation availability, it can be difficult to be able to camp at this campground, except for the winter season, which is less busy.
^"Registration Form". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2002-06-18.
^ ab"Camp 4 - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)".
^ abcdBailey, Eric (2003-02-28). "Yosemite's Camp 4 Placed on Historic Registry". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
^"Yosemite's Camp 4 to Expand to 57 Campsites". Gripped Magazine. 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
^Rice, Nelson (2015-04-23). "Valley Uprising chronicles the history of extreme rock climbing". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
^ abcMuhlfeld, Teige (2009-09-17). . Archived from the original on 2011-07-15.
^ (Press release). National Park Service. 2006-02-27. Archived from the original on 2006-06-16. Retrieved 2006-07-10.
^Stock, Greg M.; Luco, Nicolas; Collins, Brian D.; Harp, Edwin L.; Reichenbach, Paola; Frankel, Kurt L. (April 2012). "Quantitative rock-fall hazard and risk assessment for Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California" (PDF). Yosemite National Park Division of Resources Management and Science. USGS. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
Kirk, Andrew and Charles Palmer, "When Nature Becomes Culture: The National Register and Yosemite's Camp 4," Western Historical Quarterly (Fall 2006)
Roper, Steve (1994). Camp 4: Recollections of a Yosemite Rockclimber. Seattle, WA: Mountaineers Books. ISBN0-89886-381-3. An earlier edition was titled simply Camp 4 (1994, ISBN1-898573-10-7)
Reid, Don (1992). Camp 4 - bouldering guide: Sunnyside Campground, Yosemite National Park. Don Reid.
Camp 4 Information on the website of the National Park Service
Bigwalls.net: Camp 4 webpage
Camp 4 map
January 20, 2023
camp, yosemite, camp, tent, only, campground, yosemite, national, park, united, states, became, notable, after, world, birthplace, rock, climbing, modern, located, elevation, 4000, 1200, north, side, yosemite, valley, close, base, granite, cliffs, near, yosemi. Camp 4 is a tent only campground in Yosemite National Park in the United States 2 It became notable after World War II as a birthplace of rock climbing s modern age 3 It is located at an elevation of 4000 ft 1200 m on the north side of the Yosemite Valley close to base of granite cliffs near Yosemite Falls 2 Camp 4U S National Register of Historic PlacesCamp 4Show map of CaliforniaShow map of the United StatesLocationNorthside Dr Yosemite National Park Yosemite CaliforniaCoordinates37 44 30 N 119 36 9 W 37 74167 N 119 60250 W 37 74167 119 60250 Coordinates 37 44 30 N 119 36 9 W 37 74167 N 119 60250 W 37 74167 119 60250Area11 acres 4 5 ha NRHP reference No 03000056 1 Added to NRHPFebruary 21 2003Nearby boulders have long been used for bouldering including the Columbia Boulder which is known for the boulder problem called the Midnight Lightning first done by Ron Kauk in 1978 It is easily recognizable by a painting of a white thunderbolt next to it Contents 1 History 2 Reservations and availability 3 See also 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External linksHistory EditPhysically unimpressive Camp 4 nevertheless served as a seedbed for the exchange of ideas training and the development of new equipment that vastly improved the speed and safety of climbing LA Times during the time from after World War II until around 1970 3 Dozens of the most famous climbers in the world congregated at Camp 4 for years learning from each other and trying out new ideas on Yosemite walls such as Half Dome and El Capitan Yvon Chouinard today known as founder of the outdoor clothing retailer Patagonia Inc prototyped new kinds of climbing equipment in Camp 4 using an old anvil and sold them in the nearby parking lot 4 3 From the 1970s on a new group of climbers led by Jim Bridwell and others based at Camp 4 known as the Stone Masters from 1973 to 80 introduced a more athletic approach to climbing and popularized free climbing 5 In the 1990s Camp 4 was the site of ongoing friction between climbers and the National Park Service The conflict came to a head in 1997 when flooding in Yosemite Valley destroyed many employee housing units and the Park Service proposed to build a three story dormitory complex near Camp 4 6 With the support of other activists rock climber and climbing equipment manufacturer Tom Frost initiated a lawsuit against the Park Service arguing that the buildings would disturb the camp s natural setting The suit was joined by the American Alpine Club 6 As part of their attempt to stop the construction project Frost and his attorney Dick Duane also filed an application to have Camp 4 listed on the National Register of Historic Places 6 The park officials ultimately agreed to stop the development plans and to support the NRHP application which was granted in 2003 based on the camp s significant association with the growth and development of rock climbing in the Yosemite Valley during the golden years of pioneer mountaineering 7 3 From 1971 to 1999 Camp 4 was officially known as Sunnyside Walk in Campground but has been since renamed Camp 4 in recognition of its historic status A 2012 rockfall hazard report concluded that several campsites on the northern side of Camp 4 needed to be relocated to achieve adequate safety for climbers 8 The 2014 documentary Valley Uprising features veterans of Camp 4 including Warren Harding dubbed the original bad boy of Camp 4 for his risk taking rebellious attitude and alcohol consumption and Beverly Johnson who in 1973 was part of the first all female ascent of El Capitan 9 Reservations and availability Edit A 360 degree view of the Camp 4 campground in May 2013 Camp 4 does not offer traditional reservations at any time during the year and the process for attaining a camping site differs depending on the season 10 In 2019 a lottery system was enacted for the peak season of late May through mid September Only those applications successfully drawn in the lottery are assigned campsites during the lottery period Outside of the daily lottery window i e from late September through mid May site assignments are first come first served In spring and fall a line of those wishing to camp here typically forms at the campground kiosk early in the morning A total of 36 sites are available daily each accommodating a maximum of six people i e 216 spots total at a cost of US 10 per person per night Notably the Park Service has imposed a 30 night camping limit within Yosemite National Park per calendar year however from 1 May to 15 September the camping limit in Yosemite is 14 nights with only seven of those nights allowed in Yosemite Valley or Wawona Because of the popularity of the camp the relatively small number of camp sites and the lack of reservation availability it can be difficult to be able to camp at this campground except for the winter season which is less busy See also EditNational Register of Historic Places listings in Yosemite National Park National Register of Historic Places listings in Mariposa County CaliforniaReferences Edit Registration Form National Register of Historic Places National Park Service 2002 06 18 a b Camp 4 Yosemite National Park U S National Park Service a b c d Bailey Eric 2003 02 28 Yosemite s Camp 4 Placed on Historic Registry Los Angeles Times Retrieved 2022 07 07 Yosemite s Camp 4 to Expand to 57 Campsites Gripped Magazine 2017 11 10 Retrieved 2022 07 07 Rice Nelson 2015 04 23 Valley Uprising chronicles the history of extreme rock climbing Sports Illustrated Retrieved 2022 07 07 a b c Muhlfeld Teige 2009 09 17 Rock and Ice Magazine Coffee s Free at Camp 4 Archived from the original on 2011 07 15 Camp 4 Listed With National Register of Historic Place Press release National Park Service 2006 02 27 Archived from the original on 2006 06 16 Retrieved 2006 07 10 Stock Greg M Luco Nicolas Collins Brian D Harp Edwin L Reichenbach Paola Frankel Kurt L April 2012 Quantitative rock fall hazard and risk assessment for Yosemite Valley Yosemite National Park California PDF Yosemite National Park Division of Resources Management and Science USGS Retrieved 8 March 2013 Streep Abe 2014 08 18 Yosemite s Outlaw Spirit Outside Online Retrieved 2022 07 07 Camp 4 2019 09 02 Retrieved 2019 09 24 Further reading EditKirk Andrew and Charles Palmer When Nature Becomes Culture The National Register and Yosemite s Camp 4 Western Historical Quarterly Fall 2006 Roper Steve 1994 Camp 4 Recollections of a Yosemite Rockclimber Seattle WA Mountaineers Books ISBN 0 89886 381 3 An earlier edition was titled simply Camp 4 1994 ISBN 1 898573 10 7 Reid Don 1992 Camp 4 bouldering guide Sunnyside Campground Yosemite National Park Don Reid External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Camp 4 Yosemite Camp 4 Information on the website of the National Park Service Bigwalls net Camp 4 webpage Camp 4 map Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Camp 4 Yosemite amp oldid 1129205492, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
