Half Dome is the most famous mountain in one of the most famous parks in the world: Yosemite. It’s vertical-walled front is an incredible challenge for rock climbers while the steep ascent up its backside is an endurance test for hikers. Whether it’s climbed or hiked, I suspected that conquering Half Dome would an extremely gratifying accomplishment. Now I know.
Just a few facts about the hike up the backside so you can size the challenge. The summit’s elevation is 8,843 feet (2,695 meters). The hike itself gains 4,800 feet (1,463 meters) over the course of the ascent while the distance hiked totals 17 miles (27.4 kilometers) round trip. The highlight of the hike is the final climb between cables to the top of the dome. Not for the faint-of-heart, it’s both scary and physically demanding, but the reward is a 360 degree view of all Yosemite has to offer. Simply stupendous.
My permit to climb Half Dome was issued for today. However, three days ago I was in NYC with my daughter Kelsey attending Maker Faire so to get here I drove 45 hours in three days. It was my fastest cross-country drive to date but I was intent on making this hike. By 8:00 the next morning I was crossing Merced River and starting my climb up Mist Trail. By 3:30 I’d be back there and feeling weary but elated and deeply appreciative of the beauty that the Yosemite National Park has to offer.
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This picture is of backside of Half Dome. To the right is Sub Dome which must first be climbed. From there, well, the story plays out in pictures below.
After ascending the Sub Dome, this is the first glimpse you see of the cable climb. My reaction was, “Wow, that’s steep!” and it really was.
Here I am enjoying having arrived, blissfully unaware of what I was in for.
Another view of the tough climb.
When you get to the summit, the views are amazing in every direction.
The girl below was just too nicely posed not to preserve her in picture.
Below is a view from one extreme edge of the summit and it captures the small crowd at the top of the peak. Only 300 permits to climb Half Dome are issued daily and access is guarded by an armed National Parks Ranger.
Going down was easier but there were obstacles. Three people weren’t able to progress as they couldn’t get over their reaction to the height. Another who did get part way up was paralyzed with fear and wouldn’t let go of a cable support pole. How that turned out I don’t know but as I left the peak I mentioned it to a Ranger and she said, “Damn! I hope he works it out because I’m scared to death of those cables.” Not a light a breezy climb!
And as I began my return I took a final look back at what I’d accomplished. It was amazing! Now, only nine miles of hiking back to the valley floor.
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