Olympics & Rainier "Back-to-back mountain tragedies kill four on scenic US trails" WA state condolences ✝️

https://share.newsbreak.com/gyig32xw 

"Colorado Woman Dies in Suspected Mountain Lion Attack, the First Since the 20th Century | "

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/01/colorado-woman-dies-suspected-mountain-lion-attack-first/ 

"

One mountain lion found at the scene was euthanized, and a second one located nearby had the same fate.

Colorado policy mandates that wild animals that attack humans 'must be euthanized for public safety'..."

"Search for missing hiker results in discovery of 3 bodies in California"

"Severe winds prevented the helicopter from landing at that time, thus no rescue could be attempted. Later in the day, at about 7:30 p.m., a hoist operation was still impossible due to winds. During that time, however, it was possible to lower an air medic down into the area, with the air medic confirming that all three individuals who had been spotted were deceased.."

https://share.newsbreak.com/gk5610sq 

"Hiker’s body recovered from California's tallest mountain after weeks of storms"

"The hiker was identified as Joseph Brambila, who attempted to summit Mount Whitney alone last month and was reported missing on Nov. 12. Rising to 14,505 feet, Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the contiguous United States and sits in California's rugged Sierra Nevada."
https://share.newsbreak.com/ggzq1nnw 

Most people don't know that the word Yosemite actually means 'killers '

"The prudent see danger & take refuge, but the simple keep going & suffer for it" – Proverbs 22:3

GENERA

Here's a deeper look into the meaning of Yosemite and the "killer" connection:

1. Origins in the Ahwahneechee context:

The Ahwahneechee were a Miwok-speaking Native American people who lived in the Yosemite Valley.

Neighboring tribes, particularly the Mariposa and other Yokuts groups, called them "Yohhe'meti" or "Yohhe'meti", which is often translated as "they are killers" or "those who kill."

This name reflected the Ahwahneechee's fierce defense of their homeland—they were known to fight fiercely against outsiders.

2. Historical nuance:

The name wasn't about random violence—it was about survival and defense. The Ahwahneechee were protecting their valley, resources, and way of life.

To outsiders hearing the name, it sounded threatening, so when early European-American settlers came, they adopted the term Yosemite to refer to the valley itself.

3. From people to place:

Over time, the meaning shifted from describing a warrior people to simply naming the geographical area.

Today, most people associate "Yosemite" with majestic cliffs, waterfalls, and wilderness, not the original "killer" context.

In short, the "killer" meaning is really about courage, defense, and strength in protecting one's home, not about indiscriminate killing.

Short answer: no, the original Ahwahnechee (Yosemite) tribe as a standalone federally‑recognized "nation" does not exist today — but their descendants are part of several groups, some of which are not federally recognized, and some that are.

Here's a breakdown:

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What's the Current Status of the Ahwahnechee / Yosemite Native People

1. Ahwahnechee Origins

The Ahwahnechee historically lived in Yosemite Valley. 

They were connected to Mono and Southern Sierra Miwok peoples. 

Over time, due to disease, displacement, conflicts (including with U.S. forces), many Ahwahnechee were removed or merged with other tribes. 

2. Descendant Communities

According to the NPS, there are seven tribes/groups with traditional association to Yosemite. 

Of these, five are federally recognized:

North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California 

Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians 

Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians 

Bridgeport Paiute Indian Colony 

Bishop Paiute Tribe 

Two are not federally recognized:

Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation (which claims Ahwahnechee / Miwok heritage) 

Mono Lake Kootzaduka'a Tribe 

3. Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation

This group actively identifies as descendants of the Ahwahnechee / Miwok people. 

However, they are not federally recognized. 

They have applied for recognition: their petition first started in 1982. 

In 2018, the Office of Federal Acknowledgement (OFA) denied their petition, saying they "did not meet the criterion … of existing as a distinct community from historical times until the present." 

Despite the lack of recognition, they do have a working relationship with the Park Service. For example, the NPS reports them among "traditionally associated tribes" for consultation on cultural resources. 

They also have a nonprofit (American Indian Council of Mariposa County) that engages in cultural preservation and advocacy. 

4. Reservation / Reservation Status

Because the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation is not federally recognized, they do not have a formal federal reservation in the way many recognized tribes do.

There is no separate "Ahwahnechee Nation" reservation in Yosemite — the historic Ahwahnechee were removed multiple times, and their descendants are now dispersed among various communities. 

That said, for cultural and ceremonial purposes, the NPS cooperates with descendant groups (recognized and unrecognized) for things like plant gathering. 

5. Sovereignty / Nation Status

Since the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation is not federally recognized, they do not have the same sovereign-to-sovereign governmental status that federally recognized tribes do.

Their lack of recognition limits certain legal powers, federal benefits, and formal government-to-government relations. 

Some of their efforts focus on cultural revival — preserving traditions, ceremony, and ancestral connection — rather than achieving full sovereignty at this time. 

---

Summary

The Ahwahnechee / "Yosemite Indians" from history don't exist today as a single, federally recognized "nation."

Their descendants live in several Native American communities, some of which are federally recognized (e.g., Mono, Me-Wuk), and some that are not.

The Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation claims heritage and continuity with the Ahwahnechee, but they do not have federal recognition or a reservation.

Despite this, they maintain a relationship with Yosemite National Park and continue cultural traditions.

---

If you like, I can check what the current federal recognition status is (as of 2025) for all Yosemite-associated tribes — would you want me to do that?

"Meet the First Woman to Complete This Wild, 3,600-Mile Thru-Hike "- Backpacker

 https://share.google/1TQadSbMqoW8abaom 

"Nearly 1,000 people stranded on Mount Everest after massive snowstorm as rescuers race to reach camps

https://share.newsbreak.com/fbjv3ce4 

RIP ✝️ 🙏 Balin Miller 23, " plunges to his death from Yosemite summit El Capitan during Tiktok livestream as fans watched"

"One viewer, Michelle Derrick, said she had been following Miller's four-day journey.

She posted on Facebook: "He made it to the summit but he had to retrieve his bags as they got stuck on a rock as he was hoisting them up.

"As he was trying to retrieve the bags he fell to his death – all caught on the livestream."

https://share.newsbreak.com/famey91p 

Mt Shasta "Hiker falls 2,000 ft to his death on California mountain after controlled slide down glacier goes disastrously wrong"

https://share.newsbreak.com/f3i5pnk9 

👎"Four Hikers in New York's Catskill Mountains Take Psychedelic Mushrooms, End Up Calling Rangers for Help After Freaking Out |

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/09/four-hikers-new-yorks-catskill-mountains-take-psychedelic/ 

I've done a few of these "Top 25 Most Dangerous Hikes in the World"

https://share.newsbreak.com/e770ge2i 

"Angels Landing, one of Zion National Park's most dangerous trails. Here are 12 things that surprised us "

https://share.newsbreak.com/e3p8urq0 

Shame on Teton NP👎 "Mountain runner Michelino Sunseri facing prison for using trail bureaucrats secretly deemed off-limits"

Shame on Teton NP👎 "Mountain runner Michelino Sunseri facing prison for using trail bureaucrats secretly deemed off-limits"
https://share.newsbreak.com/dh4tmmgr 

xenon "They Inhaled a Gas and Scaled Everest in Days. Is It the Future of Mountaineering? "- The New York Times

https://archive.is/2EHcd 

Some are skeptical "California hiker who fell off cliff and survived three weeks in wilderness hit by shocking claim "| Daily Mail Online

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14740907/california-hiker-cliff-wilderness-tiffany-slaton.html 

Only a half mile to the finish . Condolences ✝️♥️🙏"Experienced Hiker Found Dead in Grand Canyon NP

https://share.newsbreak.com/d6dym05h 

Everybody Back East underestimates CA " Missing hiker from GA found in CA mountains says she survived on wild leeks, snowmelt: "Nature is quite terrifying"

Everybody Back East underestimates CA " Missing hiker from GA found in CA mountains says she survived on wild leeks, snowmelt: "Nature is quite terrifying"
https://share.newsbreak.com/d5txat9j 

Everybody back East seems to want to disrespect California in words & then sometimes in deeds by coming here & thinking they can conquer it & are superior to it. They don't know how big California is -how far & wide, the different terrains, the ocean, the desert, Big Sur,   the highest peak in the 48 states, in some places there's snow all year round , & the list goes on... and on ! This lady is lucky to be alive. I don't know if she made a mistake,  or if she underestimated the wilderness, or what,  but she is very fortunate. 

WA State: "3 climbers fell 400 feet to their death. 1 climber survived and drove to a pay phone "| CNN

https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/14/us/triple-fatal-climbing-fall?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc 

I took a break from campus ✝️ ministry & went to Tahoe for a few days

>

Planned on hiking but there was still too much snow on the ground . Nonetheless, Most of the ski 🎿 resorts are closed for the season ( except Palisades, shown here). Palisades used to be called Squaw Valley & hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. Do you remember that ?

I still found some nice places to explore even though they weren't long hiking trails.  The weather was really nice sunny and blue not too hot either ( 70's). 

6000 feet down below in Sacramento it was in the 90's.

 Would have loved to take a swim but of course the water is ice cold because it's all snow melt at this time of year. 

"Massachusetts mother, Carolyn Sanger, plunges to death at Purgatory Chasm State Reservation during hike with family"

https://nypost.com/2025/04/25/us-news/massachusetts-mother-carolyn-sanger-plunges-to-death-at-purgatory-chasm-state-preservation-during-hike-with-family/ 

"'I found your dad': The mystery of a missing climber "- ESPN

https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/44690603/bill-stampfl-missing-climber-peru-huascaran 

*"

The man's skin is leathery and cold, but the wallet opens like a normal wallet. Cooper pulls out a driver's license and sees that the man is American. His name is William Stampfl, and he disappeared 22 years ago..."

"Google renames Denali back to Mount McKinley after Trump order"

https://nypost.com/2025/02/15/us-news/denali-still-not-mount-mckinley-on-google-maps-after-trump-order/ 

This will make you cry. Based on True tragic story. Sad ending. Watch "Everest" on YouTube

https://youtu.be/KU38c0cMLhU?si=dc5pqxCkOwOcJxQW 

"Newest Bay Area hike is like Muir Woods — but without all the tourists"

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/newest-bay-area-hike-muir-woods-without-tourists-19979264.php 

"American Ultrarunner Tara Dower Shatters Appalachian Trail Speed Record"

https://www.dogonews.com/2024/12/4/american-ultrarunner-tara-dower-shatters-appalachian-trail-speed-record?level=2 

"Tara Dower is a 31-year-old American runner. On September 21, 2024, she set a new speed record on the Appalachian Trail in the US. The trail is 2,189 miles long. It starts in Georgia and ends in Maine. Dower completed the trail in 40 days, 18 hours, and 5 minutes. .."

Mt Diablo !

 

hiking the golden gate & nearby SF

 

st ann of sunset church is beautiful