And I'm happy for you! I'm not saying everyone values the same things, I'm just sharing my perspective and noting that it's not an uncommon one within the context of what this means at an economic and cultural level. For someone who strongly values being directly in nature, I'd certainly point them in your direction before mine!

So uncharitable, and false. Unless you were already remote in Gold Country or Markleeville, your “back door” was a 3-5 hour drive each way, depending on traffic. Kinda kills your efficient carbon footprint for living in a city. Been there, done that, moved away from the Bay Area to avoid exactly that. And I would climb at Mission Cliffs after work to be ready for that weekend in the Sierra—-and wasn’t alone in doing so.

I love the Sierras and have spent a lot of nights in the backcountry, but good luck getting any permits now. Pre-pandemic it was already extremely difficult. Now you need to get up at 7am and grab a day use ticket to even enter Yosemite (or even drive through!).