Yosemite Visit - Hiking Half Dome

Kids in Yosemite.   Half Dome here we come!

We have been anticipating our trip to Yosemite to hike Half Dome since March of this year.  That is when we were notified that we had received a permit that we applied for months earlier.  Apparently the hike/climb is so popular that you must have a permit or risk a $300 fine per person.  The permit is good for 6 hikers and runs about $58.  In spite of that we met up with several hikers who were willing to test the system and the fine.  This is also a great revenue source for the park as they issue hundreds of permits and tickets each day.  Ok, enough about permits...

Julie, Pete and I drove the 10 hours to Yosemite on Thursday.  Well, actually I drove while the others rode, read, slept and generally relaxed.  I know I've mentioned that Pete is Julie's father, but he also serves as our child.  "How much longer?"  "Can we make a potty stop?"  "What do we have to eat?"  You get it.  Also, once on the trail, Julie is constantly getting things from or putting things into his backpack so that he does not have to remove the pack which also requires her assistance.  Early into the hike Pete stuffs an orange into his pants pocket so that it is easy to get to should he need it and Julie is not immediately available.  I guess he does not mind the bulging pocket and questioning looks from other hikers as he hikes.

One of MANY forays into Pete's backpack for something.

We finally arrived after a long drive, checked into the hotel, had pizza for dinner as that was all that was available and then went to bed early as we had a 2 AM wake up in order to leave for the trail by 3 AM.  The next morning we met up with Julie's brother Sean who had arrived later the night before with his family.  We piled into the SUV and headed to the trail head 30 minutes away.  Even though it was dark, the views were breathtaking with the full moon.

Gorgeous scenery!

The 7 mile (one way) hike starts with some steep trails and then never ending steps in the rock of varying heights in order to achieve the 4,800 feet of elevation gain needed to get to Half Dome.  Luckily we had trained hard and the hike was just another quad workout.  Pete did an amazing job on the hike and even took time out to enjoy the wildlife, although the wildlife did not enjoy him....

Pete spots Bambi!

The hike takes you past Vernal Falls and Yosemite Falls as well as through the meadow at Little Yosemite Valley where the trail became more crowded as overnight campers joined in on the trek to the top.  During the hike we had plenty of opportunities to chat with people as we passed them or on a very rare occasion they passed us.  About 10% of the visitors to Yosemite are from outside the U.S..  by our accounts that seemed a bit low as many of the people we spoke to were from France, Canada, Germany, England and New York (is that part of the U.S.?).  They were all friendly and excited to get to the "cables".  The cables are installed on the last 400 feet to the top to aid hikers in getting up the wall of granite that averages a 45 degree slope meaning it is sometimes steeper than 45 degrees and somewhat less as you crest the top.  The cables are used to literally pull yourself up the steep and often slippery slope.  The cables are also where most traffic jams occur as people ascending Half Dome try to maneuver around those coming down.

Left to Right: Sean, Pete, Julie and Dave with The Cables in the background.  Yes, those specks are people on the cables.

Warning sign!!!

Dave on Cables near the top so not as steep.

Julie near the top so not as steep.

Sean further down the slope, much steeper.

The cables have planks of wood every 10 feet or so that provide a place to stand and wait or rest if needed.  The cables require a good bit of courage and a lot of shoulder strength.  Pete wisely opted out of the cable portion of the hike since he had recently torn a rotator cuff during a mountain bike fall...see previous blogs for specifics.  He waited patiently at the base of Half Dome known as Sub Dome, or party central.  This is where folks hang out before climbing, after climbing or while waiting for others.  Pete made himself comfortable and kept the many young women nearby entertained.  Oh, that orange...when Pete finally got to Sub Dome, he decided to sit on a rock to wait for our return.  As he squatted down, the orange became compressed in his shorts pocket and eventually launched itself out like a cannon ball.  Imagine an orange sphere ejected from a pocket skittering its way across the gray granite surface of Sub Dome, eventually dropping over the edge into oblivion. We considered calling Search and Rescue to see if they were willing to recover the orange from the rocks hundreds of feet below, but then thought better of it.  I am happy to report that was the only casualty of the climb.

Sub Dome.  Anybody see an orange?

We spent a little time and the top of Half Dome taking pictures and talking with people.  It was a very friendly bunch.  I ended up taking family photos for numerous groups, just one of the many services I provide.  

On Top!

The trip down Half Dome was more challenging than the trip up.  After years of hikers on the same path, the granite gets worn and is pretty slick which is much less noticeable on the way up.  You basically slide from one board to the next hanging on to the cables to try and keep the speed of the slide down to a minimum.  Most people chose to keep their backs to the bottom as they slid, but I preferred facing down so I could watch the other hikers below me on their way up or down.  It was entertaining, plus I could chat with them and take an occasional picture for them.  

The hike down the remaining 9 or so miles (yes, we took a longer route down) was uneventful with stops to take pictures of the beautiful scenery.  As we got closer to the bottom we ran into swarms of mortals as they "hiked" to see Vernal Falls.  The Park is CRAZY busy by mid day.

Yosemite Falls

Pete and his baby boy, Sean...ahhhhhh.

Dave and Julie, oh, and some background scenery

 One last thing before we go.  As you park your car in the park, there is a sign warning that food items left on the car will attract bears who will rip your doors off for a Snickers bar...  Who wouldn't?  Any way, I asked Pete to pose with the pictures and here is what we got.  You have to look closely to spot Pete "driving" the car and then reacting to the bear....

The display with Pete "driving".

Pete minding his own business as he drives...

Pete realizes he is not alone in the car!

Ok, you can not tell me Pete is not a hoot.  He is such a good sport.  As always we had a great time with him and really enjoyed Sean coming out for our latest adventure.  Oh, and I have to point out that the stuff in this fake vehicle is pretty close to the clutter in Pete's car as he is always hauling recyclable materials in his car plus a bunch of other junk he may need if the apocalypse hits.