Double Rainbow

"Double Rainbow" stood as a monument to pure, unfiltered human emotion captured at precisely the right moment. Paul "Bear" Vasquez's ecstatic reaction to a meteorological phenomenon became one of YouTube's most authentic expressions of wonder, transforming a private moment of natural awe into a global celebration of unbridled joy.

The video's origin story reflects the serendipitous nature of early viral content. On January 8, 2010, Vasquez stepped outside his property near Yosemite National Park in California to witness an extraordinary sight: two complete rainbows arcing across the mountain landscape (Wikipedia, 2025). What followed was three and a half minutes of pure emotional catharsis, as the 360-pound former firefighter wept, laughed, and philosophized about the cosmic significance of what he was witnessing.

Vasquez's reaction captured something profound about human connection to nature. According to Wikipedia, he moaned ecstatically while uttering phrases such as "Double rainbow all the way across the sky," "What does this mean?" and "Too much!" (Wikipedia, 2025). His emotional intensity reached its crescendo when he screamed with joy, creating a moment that perfectly embodied the internet's capacity to amplify authentic human experience.

The video's journey from personal documentation to viral phenomenon demonstrates how early YouTube operated differently from today's algorithm-driven landscape. After Vasquez posted the clip to his YouTube channel Hungrybear9562 (later Yosemitebear62) on January 8, 2010, it remained relatively unknown for six months (CNN, 2020). The transformation occurred on July 3, 2010, when comedian Jimmy Kimmel discovered the video and shared it on Twitter, declaring it the "funniest video in the world" (Wikipedia, 2025).

Kimmel's endorsement triggered the viral avalanche that defined early 2010s internet culture. According to CNN, the video quickly gained over one million views, eventually accumulating more than 51 million views by 2025 (CNN, 2020). This made it the second most-watched video of 2009 according to YouTube, trailing only Susan Boyle's "Britain's Got Talent" performance (CNN, 2010).

The cultural impact extended far beyond view counts. The Gregory Brothers, famous for their "Auto-Tune the News" series, created "Double Rainbow Song" on July 5, 2010, which became a viral sensation in its own right, garnering over 41 million views and nearly surpassing the original (Wikipedia, 2025). This demonstrated how viral content could spawn entirely new creative works that took on lives of their own.

Vasquez's background added authenticity to his reaction that resonated with viewers worldwide. Born in East Los Angeles, he had worked as a firefighter before moving to Yosemite in 1985, where he eventually settled on an eight-acre plot outside Mariposa, California (Wikipedia, 2025). His connection to nature wasn't performative; he had spent decades living in relative solitude, cultivating what he described as a deeper spiritual connection to the natural world.

The video's spiritual undertones became central to its interpretation. Vasquez consistently framed his reaction in mystical terms, telling ABC News that he was "on pure rainbow power" and describing the experience as being "in the presence of God" (ABC News, 2010). This spiritual dimension elevated the content beyond simple comedy, positioning it as a meditation on wonder and transcendence.

The commercial success that followed reflected early YouTube's potential for unexpected monetization. According to CNN, the family earned "a significant amount of money" through YouTube's partner program, licensing deals, and merchandise sales (CNN, 2010). Vasquez appeared on numerous television shows, including "Good Morning America," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and featured in a 2010 Super Bowl commercial for Vizio TV.

Vasquez's philosophical approach to fame distinguished him from typical internet celebrities. In a 2015 CNN interview, he revealed that he made only $6,000 per year but felt "really, really rich" due to his "100 mile views with complete privacy that hundreds of millions of people have seen" (CNN, 2020). This perspective embodied the authentic spirit that made the original video so compelling.

The video's legacy was complicated by Vasquez's death on May 9, 2020, at age 57 in a Mariposa, California hospital. According to CNN, he had posted on Facebook about feeling feverish and having trouble breathing but refused hospitalization, looking forward to "reincarnating and enjoying the ride" (CNN, 2020). His death marked the end of an era for early viral video culture.

Perhaps most remarkably, Vasquez had scheduled fifteen years of videos in advance before his death, ensuring his YouTube channel remained active long after his passing (UNILAD, 2024). This posthumous content strategy demonstrated his deep understanding of digital legacy and his commitment to sharing his daily experiences with the world.