Half dome trail is the most incredible and rewarding hike i have done to date. Heres how to and how not to hike half dome at yosemite safely. If you plan to hike half dome, you must have a permit. The final 120m 400 ft ascent to the half dome summit is the hardest, scariest and most difficult part of the hike. After watching a lot of youtube videos, the ascent doesnt look all that bad, but the descent gives me some butterflies. On march 8, ryan ellis 23, kristen elford 27, charles celerier 22, and ken langley 26 set out to climb the snake dike route 8 pitches, 5. One side is a sheer face while the other three sides are smooth and round, making it appear like a dome cut in half. Jan 31, 2015 when we came down, we came down holding on the outside of the cables because their was a major traffic jam of tourists that would have taken an hour or two to negotiate. The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. The half dome cables take you straight up, but traversing the subdome requires a lot of lateral movement. Lost in the dark, california, yosemite, half dome aac.
The two metal cables allow hikers to climb the last 400 feet to the summit without rock climbing equipment. If you have heard of the half dome trail, the two things you have probably heard about on this trip are the cables and the sub dome. The half dome cables are not the only incredible difficult part of the hike, the switchbacks at high elevation right before the cables are pretty demanding on the body. Topping out on the shoulder as light creeps across the sky the final section up the cables looks very intimidating. Ap the hike up the granite monolith half dome in yosemite national park is one of the most iconic in the nationwide system, but on friday officials announced approval of a plan that permanently limits how many can do it. We arrived atop the monolith to the sweeping view of yosemite valley. It is an excellent time to go where obtaining a permit is much easier than in the summer time. If it is raining or storm clouds are in the area, do not hike up half dome. Apr 01, 2012 half dome cables solution posted on 04012012 by mr half dome rick deutsch april 1, 2012 yosemite national park, ca park spokesperson, ranger abril phul today announced that a compromise solution had been reached with environmentalists concerning the fate of the half dome cables. Death in yosemite, a witness saw him stop and hold his head. Ive been up the half dome a couple of times and decided to go up for a third time. The earliest death recorded was in 1930, with the most recent in 2015. A hiker has died after he slipped and fell from the half dome cables in yosemite national park, officials said tuesday. The trail over the shoulder is steep and steady but not too bad.
Part one covers the majority of the ascent and part two is all about the infamous cable section and the summit. The climbers were new to multipitch climbing, and this was kristens first climb outdoors. How to prepare for hiking half dome in one day stranded. Oct 05, 2017 that would greatly reduce the amount of people that reach the top of the worldrenowned half dome. I dont know about the rules or what you should do, but i can tell you what i did, though it may be too late to help you. April 1, 2012 yosemite national park, ca park spokesperson, ranger abril phul today announced that a compromise solution had been reached with environmentalists concerning the fate of the half dome cables. If youre not a rock climber, your hands will probably get tired and may cramp up.
Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle. The cables are attached to the dome yearround, but are typically only elevated atop the poles from may through october. Im planning on hiking camelback mountain in arizona every weekend to train. Climbing the regular northwest face of half dome duration.
A permit is required to hike to half dome seven days per week when the cables are up. The half dome cables are no joke, it is steep and very polished from all the foot traffic it gets in the summer. Half dome is a granite dome at the eastern end of yosemite valley in yosemite national park, california. Park rangers check for half dome permits before allowing hikers into the cable area. This is a video of my friend daniel and i climbing up half dome in yosemite. The trails that lead to the cables section of half dome, navigate through some of the most beautiful terrain to be seen anywhere on earth. He was descending the cables when, according to the 2007 book off the wall. If its dry and youre in reasonable condition, its very doable. Then you could hike back down to the valley after half dome, or just rest and hike down to the valley the third day. The male, who was not named, was hiking with another person during a. The granite crest rises more than 4,737 ft 1,444 m above the valley floor.
The last 400 vertical feet meters up the eastern slope are so sheer that yosemite staff have installed cables for you to cling to as you pull yourself up. Half dome cables will remain, hikers still limited january 4, 20 associated press fresno, calif. In 1988, half dome was featured on a 25 cent united states postage stamp. Hiker killed in 500foot fall while climbing half dome at. Half dome cablestips and advice yosemite national park. People have been struck by lightning while on the half dome cables. Many people use gloves to hold onto the cables, where ascending hikers pass side by side with those making. Yosemite hikes home yosemite valley half dome cable tips the hazards of half dome. They take the cables down during the winter and put them back up sometime in the summer. Twentynine confirmed deaths over 85 y occurred on half dome. Yesterday, 53017, i set out to hike from glacier point to clouds rest, which is right by half dome, and back. Oct 07, 2018 its before the thought of descent takes hold. Sep 07, 2019 the thrill of trying to reach the top of half dome at yosemite national park turned fatal on thursday for a hiker who fell 500 feet from the famed rock face as she was scaling the steepest part of.
While i was on the cables, i saw someone slip from above and slide to his death. Cables were installed on half dome a century ago and have been replaced over the years. The struggle is rewarded tenfold and the view is unforgettable. Aim to land on one foot and once you find your balance bound to. When the cables are down, they also remove the 2x4s that you stand on to rest every 10 ft. Question about half dome cables supertopo rock climbing. There are no rules on the half dome hike other than you cant camp on top and you need a permit for fri, sat, sun and holidays.
After getting one last look at the cables, we hiked down the sub dome and it did raina little bit, and then to yosemite valley. Half dome permits for day hikers yosemite national park. I had an opportunity to hike up to half dome recently and purchased this book to help. Remember, if youre going to attempt the climb up half dome start early and take lots of water. Climbing the half dome cables was a thrilling experience, probably one of our favorite family experiences of all time. Also be sure to never attempt the climb if there is the possibility of lightning. Discussion about hiking to the top of half dome, planning the trip, and when the half dome cables are installed in spring or removed in fall. The view while looking down, descending the cables from the summit of half dome, yosemite national park, california. We will never look at half dome the same way again. There are over 800 miles of trails in yosemite, most of which are less crowded than half dome, so find another challenge if you think you might have an issue with the vertical exposure.
Aac publications stranded inexperience, darkness, weather. Is it any kind of reasonable to tackle half dome on my first or second day of the trip. The first time at the top there was a group of 3 young european travelers including a young lady who hiked the entire thing in high heels. Oct 07, 2018 the half dome cables hike is a way to see yosemite uninterrupted by the flocks of tourists that gather below. For those curious at how steep the cables really are, half dome, yosemite. The national park service recommends 4 liters of water per person for this hike.
Halfdome hike preparation fitness coaching with ken rose. Ive only gone up half dome twice, both times in late spring with the cables down. Half dome cablestips and advice yosemite national park forum. I hiked in early october 2015 right before the cables went down. Hiking yosemites half dome cables route has been described as unforgettable and even lifechanging by travelers. The trail to half dome at the cables, yosemite national park, california. The outdoor clothing company the north face designed its logo from a stylised drawing of half dome. A maximum of 300 people are allowed about 225 day hikers and 75 backpackers each day on the half dome trail beyond the base of the subdome. The remains of a hiker found at the base of half dome and a national park service worker who disappeared near half dome never to be recovered bring the total deaths to 31. That would greatly reduce the amount of people that reach the top of the worldrenowned half dome.
The hardiest of hikers continue to summit the dome when the cables are down, but it is not recommended. The most famousor infamouspart of the hike is the ascent up the cables. This is the only guide for hiking to the top of half dome the signature. In late september, aloysius apple leap 25 and i chris tomasetti, 23 made our first trip to yosemite for a week and a half of climbing. Half dome is a granite dome at the eastern end of yosemite valley in yosemite national park. By the time youre within a 12 mile of the subdome, you realize this is turning into a very strenuous hike. How to climb half dome cables down off season youtube. People have become frozen with fear on those cables, which puts other hikers, rangers, and sar members all at risk. Nov 05, 2019 we decided to hike half dome at yosemite with kids, and it was probably one of the most rewarding, memorable family activities weve ever completed. Rising nearly 5,000 feet above yosemite valley and 8,800 feet above sea level, half dome is a yosemite icon and a great challenge to many hikers. May 22, 2018 a hiker has died after he slipped and fell from the half dome cables in yosemite national park, officials said tuesday. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your.
Jun 25, 2010 people have become frozen with fear on those cables, which puts other hikers, rangers, and sar members all at risk. The summit of half dome does have an amazing 360 degree panorama, but with the extremely bright blue clear sky, i was happy to just grab a few scenic shots before heading back down, picture. Sep 03, 2015 my descent of the cables on half dome on 912015. The half dome trail became so popular that concerns of traffic, a positive wilderness experience, and environmental degradation necessitated the half dome plan. From start to finish this hike is just the ultimate hike. It was the most frantic and shocking thing i have ever been a part of. Hiking half dome in yosemite, a stepbystep guide earth trekkers. You do have to transfer cables several times, so two slings is safer for the transfer. In closed door meetings, it was decided to implement a concept suggested by congressman tom flintlock to install a 3 rd cable to the. Hi all, we are planning a trip to yosemite early next month august, and would like to climb half dome. The half dome cables hike is a way to see yosemite uninterrupted by the flocks of tourists that gather below.
Start with your feet together and use your outside foot to leap to the opposite side. The thrill of trying to reach the top of half dome at yosemite national park turned fatal on thursday for a hiker who fell 500 feet from the famed rock face as she was scaling the steepest part of. An image of half dome, along with john muir and the california condor, appears on the california state quarter, released in january 2005. No permit is required for travel on the half dome trail beyond the base of the subdome on monday through thursday except on federal holidays. Just clip a sling to the cable and make sure to wear gloves.
Climbing half dome via the cables waterfalls, wires, and waiting in line. Yosemites half dome and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. For those curious at how steep the cables really are, half. This may not be helpful in your case but i think many people have your problem so this may be helpful for them. Worst part of the cables, for most not all, is the descent. We rise early grab a quick breakfast and head out with light packs to half dome. What do i need to climb half dome with cables down. During the summer season there are two cables attached to the rock surface creating somewhat safer stairs that make the final ascent easier. Half dome is arguably the most adventuresome day hike in yosemite. About a mile after subdome is when you return to the. After reading the posts, i was thinking about using a harness for the climb. Plus, the granite rock is already slipperyif it is wet, climbing the cables becomes very, very dangerous. The half dome cables usually go back up the friday before the last monday in may memorial day and come down the day after the second monday in october columbus day.
In its half dome hiking guide, yosemite national park says, since 1919. Permits to hike to the top of half dome are required seven days per week when the cables are up as called for in the half dome stewardship plan in order to protect wilderness character, reduce crowding, protect natural and cultural resources, and improve safety. On the descent, somewhere in little yosemite valley, i went off trail to take a leak. These dates are subject to change based on conditions. Half dome yosemite musings i have gotten some inquires as to the age requirement for kids on half dome. How to be safe on the half dome cables yosemite the fresno bee. Dr do hd the last week of may, before they start requiring permits. May 31, 2017 i dont know about the rules or what you should do, but i can tell you what i did, though it may be too late to help you. Question about half dome cables supertopos climbing discussion forum is the worlds most popular community discussion forum for people who actively climb outdoors. The dome is very exposed and can be quite intimidating even for experienced hikers. Eventually, the lady moved enough so we could go around her and finally made it off the cables. The cables up the eastern flank of half dome are now in place for the season. The sub dome is a glorified, mini granite dome that is connected to the back of half dome and serves to destroy your legs before you reach the cables. Sep 21, 20 half dome cables gopro descent john stream.
I really want to try and apply for a permit to hike half dome in the spring of 2021. I think the question is what is it like doing the descent when the cables are down. Gloves are a necessity for climbing and descending the cables to protect. The mist trail steep steps a rapid descent yosemites iconic nevada falls the trail to. Half dome cables yosemite national park descent june 3, 20 duration. This is definitely a challenging hike and climb, and not for the beginner hiker. My dad and i are headed to yosemite next week to hike half dome permit. Part 3 the descent before you read the final section of my half dome saga you should probably check out the first two parts. We decided to hike half dome at yosemite with kids, and it was probably one of the most rewarding, memorable family activities weve ever completed. Half dome via the cables route sierra mountain center. Youll need a pair of gloves to help with your ascent and descent of the half dome cables. How to climb half dome cables down off season duration. It is a wellknown rock formation in the park, named for its distinct shape.