TRAVELER WEB REVIEWS

See what some of our clients are saying about us online at these popular travel web sites:

New York Times: Yosemite Attractions

Yelp: YExplore - Yosemite Adventures

Igougo: Yexplore

Vcarious: Yosemite National Park Reviews

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PRIOR TESTIMONIALS

2009

Hi John, We are finally home in sunny Australia after our USA adventure and whilst we only spent a small amount of time in Yosemite it left the biggest of impressions on us both. Thank you so much to you, David and Lindsay for a great day! We had so much fun and absolutely fell in love with Yosemite . Hope to come back one day soon!
 
Cheers, Sarah & Adam ( Croudace Bay , Australia ) 12.09

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Hi John and Catherine,

Happy New Year! Thanks for making my birthday in Yosemite so special.  My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our hikes (even Lisa!).  The vistas were spectacular, and the naturalist and history talks made scenery even more fulfilling. 

Marianne ( Foster City , CA ) 12.09

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Hi John

Thanks very much and Happy New Year. I had an awesome time in Yosemite and really enjoyed the hikes. I'd be pleased to recommend Y Explore to anyone making a trip to the park.

Sean ( UK via Washington , DC ) 12.09

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Thanks again for a wonderful, memorable day in Yosemite ! Carolyn, the kids, and I claim it as the most favorite part of our trip. We've got some pretty incredible photos from that day. Again, thanks so much for accommodating us at the last minute.  It truly made our trip special.  Carolyn wants to come back for a week's stay the next time, and we'll be sure to call you well ahead of time!

Take care and good luck,

Jeff G ( Asheville , NC ) 11.09

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Dear John-

We had a great time on our tour, though I realized I need to get in much better shape for our next visit there! You, Catherine and Mark were really great, and we look forward to another tour with you.

Take care- Donetta B. ( Geneva , OH ) 11.09

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Thanks John.   I had an amazing weekend and learned a ton from my time with Walter.  He was really good and I had a good time.  I will definitely be back up again!   I appreciate you guys being so flexible with rescheduling.

Larry ( San Francisco ,CA 11.09)

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Hi Catherine:

I can't believe a week has passed since the end of our visit to Yosemite !  I have spent a lot of that time working with all the photos I took last week...I was like a kid in a candy store!

I want to let you know how much I enjoyed the experience of meeting and learning from Walter.  My expectations were well exceeded - he provided the insight, experience and technical expertise to validate many of the technical approaches I was taking that were 'professional'; and suggest many new ones I had not adopted.  The most important ones to me were selecting the correct aperture for a particular photo and effectively using the histogram.

Walter's approach to composition is powerful.  His examples challenge me to take more time to think about what I want to convey in my photographs and then be diligent in setting up my equipment to capture that image.  His ability to 'see' the image technically and artistically before he sets up his equipment inspires me to become more educated and proficient about many aspects of photography.

This experience has really opened my eyes.  I felt like I was 'Grasshopper' and Walter was 'Master Po' from the Kung Fu TV series!  What a wonderful day I had...

Catherine, I also want you to know how effective you have been through the process of securing and coordinating my appointment with Y Explore.  As the 'face' of the organization you provide an exceptional blend of knowledge, skill, and customer concern.  I always felt secure that you had my interests at heart and that you were being diligent in orchestrating a memorable experience for me -  and what a job you did!

Thanks to you and Walter!

Jim S. ( San Jose , CA ) 10.09

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Hi John,
 
Thank you very much for guiding us up Half Dome we had a fantastic day that we will never forget. We really valued having both yourself and Joe there, it was great to learn more about the local area and wildlife. We also very much appreciated the toast on the top. It was a lovely gesture.  Hopefully one day we will be able to return and do some other hikes with you!
 
Many thanks,
 
Chloe and Chris ( Cheshire , UK ) 10.09

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Dear John,

Thank you for an excellent and very memorable adventure. We had a great time and the hike with you was really one of the highlights of our trip! I still can't believe that we couldn't see any climbers on El Capitan until you pointed them out! And I am still very proud that I dared to look over the edge facing Yosemite Valley ;-) The rest of our trip was also very nice and I don't think it will take too long before we visit CA again!

Br

Mia and Per ( Luxembourg ) 9.09

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John- Thanks so much to you and Catherine for making our trip to Yosemite so very memorable.  We had a terrific time on our hike with you.   Your extensive knowledge of the area and delightful disposition made it the highlight of our trip.  I hope next time we come back to explore Yosemite we will be able to graduate to the next hiking level!

All the best,

Janice Vitale ( Washington , DC ) 9.09

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Hi John!

I speak on behalf of Fi and Jess when I say that we had one of the best days of our lives when we did the hike in Yosemite. We weren’t expecting the views to be so spectacular and it really was a once in a lifetime experience. We all felt that we gained lots of knowledge about the history of the National Park and the wildlife within it. When we got back we showed our families the photos and passed on some of that knowledge. We’ve also both decided we loved California so much that we’ll definitely be back there one day, hopefully in the not too distant future. When we do return we want to come back to Yosemite with you guys and who knows, maybe we’ll do Half Dome?!?!  

It was great to meet you and was brilliant to have a tour guide who was so friendly and who we could relate to. I’ve got to say though I’m extremely jealous as I sit at my desk in an office block in cold, cloudy Manchester when you’ll probably be heading off for a trek in a few hours time. Ah well, once again thanks for such a good time, all the memories and I’m sure we’ll be seeing you again one day.

Thanks

Fi, Jess & Anthony ( Cheshire , UK ) 9.09

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Hi John/Catherine,

We wanted to take the time to mention that we had a really outstanding experience with Walter Flint this past weekend.  He really took time to learn what our priorities and styles are and what we could benefit from the most.  He also made sure we understood the beauty of Yosemite from the perspective of an insider.

One the first day, my wife started with minimal knowledge of how to operate all the numerous settings on the camera, but Walter's explanation of the 3 basic rules of the camera setting allowed her to maneuver her SLR on her own. At the same time, he took the time to explain to both of us the more artistic aspects of photography once we had the technical part understood.

The second day in the Valley, we started at 3pm and spent time learning to see things differently and understand how the camera might interpret them.  Also, Walter made it a point to help us notice things that we might not have noticed before from a photographic standpoint.  He also helped us identify the differences in our styles and how they complement each other.

With all that said, we can only tell you that we absolutely enjoyed every minute spent working with Walter and we definitely look forward to coming back.

Best regards,

Carlos & Olga ( Irvine , CA ) 9.09

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My friend Anthony and I had a great time hiking to May Lake and up the summit of Mt. Hoffman last week.  John did a terrific job as guide and got me up to the top (which I wasn’t expecting to do!).  I will definitely recommend your group to friends. 

Thanks again for a memorable hike.

Jack P ( Houston , TX ) 8.09

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Dear John and Catherine:

I wanted to extend my gratitude to you both for this incredible Birthday adventure.  It was extremely empowering to get to the top of that dome.  Thank you! 

I wish you both all the best in your business venture.  I admire what you do, and I have certainly recommended you when talking to family and friends. Thank you once again for your time, professionalism, and quality customer services.

In gratitude,

Linda C ( Campbell , CA ) 8.09   

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We wanted to let you know that we had a fabulous hike with David Lukas.  He provided our family with a lot of information about Yosemite Valley and the Sierras, and he made the expedition very enjoyable for every member of our family.  He really connected with each of our kids, and was very attuned to what we wanted to get out of the time that we were spending with him.  We hope to return to the Valley again soon, and explore other parts with your team.

Thanks,

Steve K ( Encino , CA ) 8.09

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We enjoyed our trip very much and the experience will remain in our memories! Robb was great, friendly and highly qualified. We were so lucky to have had him as our guide.
 
Best regards
 
Dominique ( Lucerne , Switzerland ) 8.09

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Hi Catherine,

I just wanted to say thanks soooo much to you, John and Alexa. We had a great time today. It was a great experience and they had infinite patience. My son, Jesse, said John was "super-great" which in kidspeak is the ultimate compliment. From the initial booking to the follow up to the actual hike, you guys are truly a first class organization. You have big fans in L.A. Thanks, again!

All my best,

Stewart ( Manhattan Beach , CA ) 8.09

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I’d liked to thank you for the wonderful experience my family had at Yosemite with your guide David Lukas.  It was our first time at the park and we did a family hike with David to Sentinel Dome and Taft Point.  David was very informative and kept my kids engaged in the experience.  I was worried traveling with 3 kids who are 16, 13, and 11.   On the way up to meeting place there was a bit of pessimism coming from them but all I heard during and after the hike was how much they were enjoying themselves.   It was a beautiful day at Yosemite – we came out with many great pictures and memories. Thank you again for a great time in Yosemite .

Sincerely,

Janet and Scott S ( Shoreham , NY ) 7.09

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John, I wanted to say how much we appreciated your two days of great hikes, wisdom, camaraderie, kindness on starting times and more!  

Peter E ( Alexandria , VA ) 7.09

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Hi John

Back home now after a great holiday. We had a brilliant two weeks and for me the Y Explore Hike with you was the highlight of the whole holiday. Thanks & hoping to visit Yosemite again at some future date!

John ( Abingdon , UK ) 7.09

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John, thanks we had a great trip.  We greatly appreciated the hike, everyone had a great time.  

Jkt ( Atlanta , GA ) 7.09

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Thanks for the great photo session at Yosemite - I learnt a lot.

regards,

Andrew ( AUSTRALIA ) 7.09

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It's Tuesday, five days after our Half Dome hike and I'm still on a high.  Our hike was amazing and something I will never forget.  I know that your encouragement, support, and knowledge are the reasons that I made it to the top.  From my first phone call to you and Catherine, I felt confident that I was in the right hands.  Thank you so much for a life long experience.  Gary P (Menlo Park , CA) 7.09

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We miss Yosemite! Thank you again for a fabulous day.  Our kids are still talking about it to their friends. 

Our best to your sweet family,

Sarah, Gary & Family ( Austin , TX ) 6.09

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I want to express a very big thank you to Catherine DeGrazio for being so great with the information and registration and follow-up including the phone message in our lodge room the day before the session with Walter  Flint.  Impressive service and a great attitude!  

Now the main event, my (our) time with Walter Flint…great.  Simply great!   Nothing but praise.    He's a good teacher, to be sure, but also a great guy and fun to spend time with while doing some serious learning.   Honestly if we had more time at Yosemite after the first session, I would have booked another one.    No hesitation.   

I would highly recommend the program to anyone keen on photography and wanting to take it to the next level at a fabulous location and with a fun, imaginative, professional photographer, Walter.

I can't wait to get back--my wife, Khun Ben, wants to go back in the winter (and this from someone that is from Thailand where it is always tropical:-)).

Thanks again.

Best Regards from Vietnam,

T.W. 6.09

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I was not really sure what to expect in Yosemite , but it turned out to be an amazing introduction and I left the experience moved by what I saw and learned.  I feel encouraged to learn more about Leave No Trace and will continue to venture outdoors and remember to notice the little things (not just the big ones) that make our natural treasures special .Thanks for everything!  Keep in touch!

Chris S ( Richmond , VA ) 6.09

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I had a great time working with Walter.  He was very professional and helpful.  I learned a lot from him, and picked up many valuable pointers.  He was a pleasure to work with, and he also went out of his way to make my wife feel welcome during the photo shoot.  If we make it back to the Yosemite area again I would definitely look to do another photography tour with Y Explore.

As a side note, Catherine was very helpful in setting up the trip.  She helped me with her explanations of the various tours, and we exceptionally courteous.  All in all – you guys seem to be doing a great job.

Thanks!!

Greg ( Houston , TX ) 6.09

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John,

I wanted to thank you and James again for a great time on our 3 days of hiking in Yosemite. I really appreciated your knowledge of the area and the help you provided us along the way to complete the hikes--particularly the Half Dome hike on Saturday. I know that I could have not made it to the top without your help. I would've taken one look at those chains and the crowd on them and decided that it wasn't for me. Thanks to you, I can feel proud that I managed to get up there (and back down again!).

Thanks again. We would definitely recommend your company to any of our friends interested in doing something similar.  

Kelly C ( Washington ) 6.09

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Thank you so much for making the hike such a wonderful experience for my boys and me.  From the initial call to Catherine for information to John's final handshake it couldn't have been more perfect.  You both run your business so professionally and your rating on Trip Advisor as the No.1 thing to do at Yosemite is right on.

Our entire 10 day trip was amazing.  It included a bike ride across the Golden Gate bridge, SF Giant games, Cirque KA, and golf at beautiful courses in LV but none of these come close to the hike to see the falls.  It was breathtaking and we will never forget it.

John, the boys really thought the world of you.  Thank you for guiding us.  How neat for them to see how people get to where they are in their lives - to start out on Wall Street and end up CEO of Y Explore.  It lets them see that they can do anything - the world is theirs. 

Oh, Alexa was wonderful.  She was extremely personable and we enjoyed talking with her. Thank you for everything. 

Sincerely,

Laura S (CT) 6/09

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Dear John,

I just wanted to thank you for the great hike you took us on.  Since I am not in really excellent shape, I wasn't sure that I would be able to do it, yet the trails you took us on, while challenging, were still manageable, fun, and beautiful.  I had a great time and I am most certainly glad that I did it.  Also, listening to your take on all those movies was great as well, yet I have to say the Caddyshack is still my favorite funny movie!  Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Chris S (CT) 6/09

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Hi John-

We just wanted to thank you for the amazing trek up to the top of half dome.  I've been to Yosemite before, but have not experienced the Valley in such a personal way.  Your knowledge was what I wanted to hear, as I felt I learned more about the history and monuments with you present.  I felt your personality was just right for our group and thank you for getting us to the top safely.

Both Misha and I talked many times about how, in the beginning of the trek, it feels like you don't need a guide, but as you move along over the hours ahead, it becomes clear that the guide is there to push his wisdom of the climb onto the clients, who really don't get how important it may be to keep moving before the cables get too backed up.  More importantly, we felt like you really stepped up by having us focus on the cable climb and to stay together.  Your coaching made us stay focused and got us to the top safely.  Thank you again.

David B and Misha L (WA) 5/09

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Dear Catherine,

First of all, we'd like to thank both you and John for everything you've done for us.

About the hiking, it was one of the most spectacular things we've done. Certainly the high point of our entire trip. Besides that, all the help that you gave us regarding restaurants, massage, tips in general. It was really wonderful. Thanks!

Nicest regards,

Luis and Ana (Brasil) 5/09

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Overall, we thought the experience was excellent - Next time (and we hope there will be one), we'd go for something further off the normal (easily accessible) trekking route.

Richard and Melany ( UK ) 5/09

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Thanks, John. We had an incredible day with you and Christelle.  Thank you for everything, we'll always remember this as an extraordinary day.  Give our best to Catherine and Christelle, you were all so accommodating. Also, we stopped in Sonora for dinner at the restaurant (Diamondback) you and Christelle suggested, it was perfect.

Sincerely,
Madonna B (NY) 4/09

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We thoroughly enjoyed our day and David Lukas was extremely informative and having spent the day before exploring the valley the subsequent walk gave us more insight into the wildlife and geology of the area. We would highly recommend your efficient service to future visitors of Yosemite.

Regards

Charlie W ( UK ) 4/09

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John we had a great time!  You guys were great and we had a blast.  Hope we make it back again next year!  We loved the hike and all of Yosemite!

Karen (VA) 4/09

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Thanks for the photo session. It was great. I learned a lot of stuff that I will carry with me for ages.

Andrei D. (NY) 4/09

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Hi John and Catherine,

We are back home now. We had a wonderful time today! We really appreciated the personalized and attentive tour. It was nice not to be rushed and to be able to take the tour at the pace which Nathey ended up setting. Zeb is a great guy! We hope we have a chance to take another tour sometime with you again. Please keep up the great work!

Thank you again,
Dan, Hiromi and Nathey M (CA) 3/09

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Hi Catherine - I just wanted to thank you and John for a lovely trip to Yosemite .

I really had fun on the snowshoe, and Philip really enjoyed the Photography with Evan. I am home, and already missing it. I appreciate all your help, and will recommend yexplore to anyone heading your way.

Sara (CA) 2/09

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The trip was nothing short of amazing. Weather, Phil and Yosemite created quite an experience. Phil is a fountain of knowledge and was really fun to just try and see Yosemite as he does. Photography has three main levels (well, so far for me anyways after 10 years of doing it) first is figuring out your camera, 2 nd is figuring out what to shoot, third is figuring out what to shoot given the light, pattern, composition and 40 million other factors. Phil is so far down the 3 rd path that I was in awe of how he could just walk by what I thought were photo opportunities because he knew it wouldn’t work. It was great to just learn by osmosis. Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Richard B (FL) 2/20/09

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