Half Dome Hike, June 13, 2009
We did this hike, one of the longest and most famous in Yosemite National Park, on June 13 , 2009. Statistics says that about 50,000 people do this hike in a year without any accidents. We were not so lucky- we got stuck on the top of Half Dome in bad weather, had to endure a slow and treacherous descent, and witnessed a man plunge to his death on the steep granite. We all got down safely, thanks to a mixture of preparation, good physical condition, and pure luck.
In case you are thinking of going to the Half Dome, here is my 0.02 on the cable route:
1. The hike is pretty demanding physically, and the last part has exposure that can only be defined as deadly. Read as much as you can on this hike and especially on the cable route, so you know what to expect. I am glad I did.
2. In dry weather if you slip, you most likely would die. In bad weather, if you slip you definitely would die. Play it safe, bring a professional climbing harness (with thigh loops), TWO carabiners and daisies, and wear them on the cables. It does not slow you all that much and you will be spending most of the time waiting for other people anyway. You may not get as much of adrenalin rush knowing that you are clipped in, but if you slip, you won't die, and that's definitely worth something.
3. Even if you wear a harness, chances are most other people would not, so if the weather turns bad suddenly, you will get stuck behind them, and will get hypothermia. Bring a light waterproof jacket, a light fleece vest and an energy gel or two with you (you want something that you can eat with one hand).
4. If the weather looks anything but blue skies, DO NOT go up beyond the base of the Sub-Dome. Sub Dome trail has the same exposure as the cables, and there is nothing to clip to on it, so in wet weather it is potentially more dangerous than the cable route. There always will be another day to do it. Don't think that if others are going up then it is safe. Most people who hiked up a mile of vertical would not stop and turn around, even if it means tempting the fate. Don't do it, and play it safe. Besides, the summit view in bad weather is nothing special.
Read MoreIn case you are thinking of going to the Half Dome, here is my 0.02 on the cable route:
1. The hike is pretty demanding physically, and the last part has exposure that can only be defined as deadly. Read as much as you can on this hike and especially on the cable route, so you know what to expect. I am glad I did.
2. In dry weather if you slip, you most likely would die. In bad weather, if you slip you definitely would die. Play it safe, bring a professional climbing harness (with thigh loops), TWO carabiners and daisies, and wear them on the cables. It does not slow you all that much and you will be spending most of the time waiting for other people anyway. You may not get as much of adrenalin rush knowing that you are clipped in, but if you slip, you won't die, and that's definitely worth something.
3. Even if you wear a harness, chances are most other people would not, so if the weather turns bad suddenly, you will get stuck behind them, and will get hypothermia. Bring a light waterproof jacket, a light fleece vest and an energy gel or two with you (you want something that you can eat with one hand).
4. If the weather looks anything but blue skies, DO NOT go up beyond the base of the Sub-Dome. Sub Dome trail has the same exposure as the cables, and there is nothing to clip to on it, so in wet weather it is potentially more dangerous than the cable route. There always will be another day to do it. Don't think that if others are going up then it is safe. Most people who hiked up a mile of vertical would not stop and turn around, even if it means tempting the fate. Don't do it, and play it safe. Besides, the summit view in bad weather is nothing special.
