His proudest achievement is his 41 hikes up to the top half dome, the granite monolith symbol of yosemite national park. Standing on top of half dome means you can no longer see half dome. Half dome is arguably the most adventuresome day hike in yosemite. Half dome trail is the most incredible and rewarding hike i have done to date. Yosemite hikes home yosemite valley half dome cable tips the hazards of half dome. The trail slowly hooked around the giant monolith, first north, then west, and. You do have to transfer cables several times, so two slings is safer for the transfer. Great stuff like, where to stay, what to pack, what to expect a basic howto manual for half dome. The route to the summit traverses some of the parks most popular and spectacular hiking trails. 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. We would camp in little yosemite valley the closest starting point to half dome and have a leisurely hike to the cables the next day, reducing our roundtrip total to just 7 miles instead of 16. It is extremely exposed and steep and those with a fear of heights will not enjoy it. Having visited yosemite for the first time last year, i decided to put the half dome hike on my list.
Quick questions about gear for hiking half dome with. Looks like the cables are staying and there will be a permit system. Nine essential tips for hiking half dome that you do not want. This bucket list item catapulted to the top of the list last year on a rafting trip when he was inspired by an older raftmate, who regaled all of the brilliance and wonderment the hike had to offer. Half dome, california it is perhaps the most famous hike in the united states. Yesterday, 53017, i set out to hike from glacier point to clouds rest, which is right by half dome, and back. The most famousor infamouspart of the hike is the ascent up the cables. Aim to land on one foot and once you find your balance bound to the other side.
Park rangers check for half dome permits before allowing hikers into the cable area. Cable permits special permits are required to hike half dome when the cables are up memorial daycolumbus day. The half dome cables take you straight up, but traversing the subdome requires a lot of lateral movement. 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. Half dome via the cables route sierra mountain center. Half dome cablestips and advice yosemite national park forum. One side is a sheer face while the other three sides are smooth and round, making it appear like a dome cut in half. Nine essential tips for hiking half dome that you do not. They take the cables down during the winter and put them back up sometime in the summer. With its extra 250 feet, you actually look down on the summit of half dome.
The half dome via the cables while the cables are up permit. Every summer, thousands attempt the 16mile roundtrip from yosemite valleys floor to half dome s 8836foot summit. This hike requires a permit and on the date we descended, nps was issuing 300. 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. This bucket list item catapulted to the top of the list last year on a rafting trip when he was inspired by an older raftmate, who regaled all of the brilliance and. Without the cables or serious mountaineering gear, the ascent would be impossible. Hiking half dome in yosemite, a stepbystep guide earth trekkers. Permits are required 24 hours a day, seven days per week to ascend the subdome or half dome cables. The half dome cables climb may be less fearful than you thought. 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.
That he wrote that it is not advised to ascend half dome during the offseason is unintentionally funny. Hiker killed in 500foot fall while climbing half dome at. Besides the risk of falling, there is also the risk of heatstroke in the summer months. 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. For those curious at how steep the cables really are, half. People have been struck by lightning while on the half dome cables. 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. May 30, 2018 though most hiker deaths on half dome have occurred on the cables, there are hazards at the top as well. Instead the path loops around to the east side of half dome before the final ascent over granite begins. 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. The author, rick deutsch, has completed the half dome day hike dozens of times, and he shares his experience in this book for all. Apr 15, 2020 there are several ways to get to the top of half dome. 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.
Surviving the cables the approach to half dome is steep and difficult. Cables were installed on half dome a century ago and have been replaced over the years. 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. In 1968, when id been climbing about a year, i saw two climbers get up the final pitch of the regular nwf. Worst part of the cables, for most not all, is the descent. A friend of mine asked me to accompany her and her son up the half dome cables and keep her son belayed. There are several ways to get to the top of half dome. Half dome is a granite dome at the eastern end of yosemite valley in yosemite national park, california. Though most hiker deaths on half dome have occurred on the cables, there are hazards at the top as well. The last place you want to be in an electric storm is atop half dome, forced to make a hurried descent over slippery rock while holding onto wet metal cables. Part one covers the majority of the ascent and part two is all about the infamous cable section and the summit. If it is raining or storm clouds are in the area, do not hike up half dome. I have also not done any multipitch climbing but i have jls anchor book and.
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. I have lots of experience with setting up top ropes and sport leading i am familar with the placement of trad gear but i havent done it on lead before but i feel confident that if snake dike only takes one piece that i could do it. It is far too steep to travel the shortest distance to the summit. Gearing up for a half dome hike in yosemite yosemite. April may still have snow on the lower half of the cables. As i reexamine the passages of this book that speak of the cables i discover that the author of one best hike. Though the cables are impressive, the true reward lies on half domes summit. He was descending the cables when, according to the 2007 book off the wall. As far as i am concerned that would be the equivalent of saying. Hiking half dome in yosemite, a stepbystep guide earth. Yexplore offers guided half dome hikes in yosemite and can work with you to acquire permits in the preseason lottery in march of every year or the 48 hour lottery. John degrazio is the lead adventure guide for yexplore yosemite adventures and regularly leads trips up half dome.
And, wed have the freedom to go at any time of day, rather than being limited to a sunrise start time like most other people doing the inandout. The only worry i have with snake dike is the cam placement in p1. Used a prussik on descent, but eventually couldnt get the cables up out of the snow. Ascending the subdome or half dome cables without a permit is a violation of 36 cfr 1.
Now that there were more people on the cables, our descent took a total of 45. Then you could hike back down to the valley after half dome, or just rest and hike down to the valley the third day. You must have a permit in order to climb the subdome and the half dome cables. Just clip a sling to the cable and make sure to wear gloves. The park service considers the half dome hike to be the most strenuous day hike in all of yosemite national park. Heres how to and how not to hike half dome at yosemite safely. Standing 5,000 feet above yosemite valley, half dome is without a doubt a us national park icon.
Half dome cables will remain, hikers still limited january 4, 20 associated press fresno, calif. We rise early grab a quick breakfast and head out with light packs to half dome. It is a wellknown rock formation in the park, named for its distinct shape. I would disagree on the cables being not that hard. 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. I didnt get to enjoy my time at the top as i mostly spent it laying there trying to recover, then a storm came in and we had to head down. 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.
Half dome hiking guide yosemite national park cleverhiker. Most people get here by hiking the 17mile round trip route from the valley floor and taking the cable route to the top. From start to finish this hike is just the ultimate hike. Tying into half dome cables supertopo rock climbing. For twenty years my husband has had the yearning to stand atop half dome in yosemite national park. Part 3 the descent before you read the final section of my half dome saga you should probably check out the first two parts. Rock climbing with half dome in the distance pretrip planning. 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.
The cables of half dome played a big part in motivating me to learn to climb. Many people use gloves to hold onto the cables, where ascending hikers pass side by side with those making. In that case, you may have to climb quite a bit without any tiein just to find the cables. The most exhilarating part of the hike hauling yourself up the cables to the summit of half dome is a challenge you wont soon forget. Death in yosemite, a witness saw him stop and hold his head. These dates are subject to change based on conditions.
Half dome permits for day hikers yosemite national park. The most exhilarating part of the hike hauling yourself. How to be safe on the half dome cables yosemite the fresno bee. Half dome is a serious endurance hike taking visitors 4800 feet above the yosemite valley to spectacular views of vernal and nevada falls, liberty cap, half dome, and panoramic views of yosemite valley and the high sierra. The half dome trail became so popular that concerns of traffic, a positive wilderness experience, and environmental degradation necessitated the half dome plan.
My dad and i are headed to yosemite next week to hike half dome permit. She reached the top an hour before the rest of the group did. A permit is required to hike to half dome seven days per week when the cables are up. Aug 19, 2015 though the cables are impressive, the true reward lies on half domes summit. I didnt get to enjoy my time at the top as i mostly spent it laying there trying to recover. Topping out on the shoulder as light creeps across the sky the final section up the cables looks very intimidating. Youll need a pair of gloves to help with your ascent and descent of the half dome cables. In closed door meetings, it was decided to implement a concept suggested by congressman tom flintlock to install a 3 rd cable to the. Yosemite falls trail the scary part for me maybe not you 2015 duration. New required permits will be available starting march 1. I climbed up the death slabs and 23 pitches of the regular route and thought the cable descent was the sketchiest part of entire half dome whole trip.
Half dome cablestips and advice yosemite national park. Rock climbers scale the vertical face of half dome to the summit. The sub dome is a glorified, mini granite dome that is connected to the back of half dome and serves to. May 10, 2016 the half dome cables take you straight up, but traversing the sub dome requires a lot of lateral movement. The trail over the shoulder is steep and steady but not too bad. If you plan to hike half dome, you must have a permit. Half dome yosemite musings i have gotten some inquires as to the age requirement for kids on half dome.
The two metal cables allow hikers to climb the last 400 feet to the summit without rock climbing equipment. Like half dome, it is a large granite dome near yosemite valley, rising to a similar, in fact slightly higher altitude 9092 versus 8836 for half dome. Preparation and safety are key to having a fantastic experience. As you can see it takes about 20 minutes to descend the cables. Gone are the good ol days, when one could wake up, arrive at the trailhead, and set forth with 1,000 or so of ones newfound closest friends to set forth and conquer the mighty half dome. A 26yearold california woman was killed by a 600foot fall while working her way down the cables on half dome in yosemite national park, according to a park release. 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. Question about half dome cables supertopo rock climbing. But the best part of the trail is the final climb on the half dome cables and your. Jun 15, 2006 the classic profile of half dome, recognizable worldwide, sits over the east end of yosemite valley like a distant guardian. Start with your feet together and use your outside foot to leap to the opposite side. The only way to relieve altitude sickness is to descend immediately. The granite crest rises more than 4,737 ft 1,444 m above the valley floor. Half dome cables yosemite national park descent june 3, 20.
It is an excellent time to go where obtaining a permit is much easier than in the summer time. Climbing the regular northwest face of half dome duration. 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. I hiked in early october 2015 right before the cables went down. I think the question is what is it like doing the descent when the cables are down. However, summiting half dome is not required and the views from sub dome are also spectacular. By contrast, half dome is over 14 miles round trip via the shortest route, with an elevation gainloss of 4,800 feet and the exposed ascent on the cables of 400 feet. 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. Climb to top of half dome will require a permit sfgate. Sep 03, 2015 my descent of the cables on half dome on 912015. Glaciers cleaved the dome clear in half hence the original indigenous name tisaack or cleft rock in the language of the awahnechee, leaving incredible slab climbs on the sunny southern aspect such as snake dike 5. Plus, the granite rock is already slipperyif it is wet, climbing the cables becomes very, very dangerous.
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