College student falls to her death chasing her bucket list | Half Dome Cables Yosemite National Park 

As a teenager, I initiated the climb up Half Dome. I noticed 1/4 way up that my boots were substandard for the climb. I went back down probably one of the best decisions I ever made.

I consider myself a very strong climber. I got to the base of half dome without a harness, started climbing and got scared and realized I just didn’t feel good about it. I turned around and have not thought twice about it. If you’re not feeling it, turn around.

There's only 1 item on my bucket list: to not kick it...😮

Let's get one thing straight about the Half Dome cables: It is a Via Ferrata route. So taking a harness and a Via Ferrata lanyard (that has an energy absorbing feature) is not nerdy or weak. It is smart and wise. I've done this route 5 times, each time attached to the cables and wearing a harness. It is not slow or cumbersome. Via Ferrata setups also have a separate resting carabiner that you could use if a traffic jam ever happened, giving your hands and legs a break. I've seen many a traffic jam coming down due to terrified hikers. And, Half Dome is actually more than "a hike". It is actually a Class 2 climb, requiring the use of your hands. I've always thought they should have a "this is the cables on Half Dome" test/demo area in the Valley where people can get an idea of the steepness and what they are getting themselves into.

Safety harness AND climbing helmet. The harness will stop you from sliding off the cables. The helmet will prevent a head injury whether you fall several hundred feet or 3 feet. It may have prevented her death. Too many people are afraid of looking like wimps or sissies. Being safe is not a weakness. Safety gear not only protects you from your own accidents or incompetence, but from the accidents or incompetence of others as well. There is no rational argument against wearing a harness on Half Dome.

Another huge issue that isn't discussed much is people who invite others to join them who have zero experience and then peer pressure to them into participating once they reach the destination. I've experienced this first-hand in Yosemite with "friends" who set out on a hike in late November with patchy snow on the ground. Less than ten minutes into the hike I realized that the main group had left me and another person behind. I had no idea where I was going and the terrain was already concerning. I couldn't believe that the "experienced hikers" had zero common sense and that someone who knew nothing already knew that it wasn't safe. My second bad feeling was, "These are pretty shitty friends to treat me and the others like this." I immediately turned around, went back to camp, and spent the rest of the weekend by myself. Most of the group returned over 12 hours later well after dark; they had ditched a guy who was a socially awkward and were joking about it. Again I found it ironic that I knew so little about hiking yet was horrified that those who did left someone out there. The other guy eventually found his way back to camp and everyone thought it was hillarious. I never hung out with those people ever again.

Having a harness for backup is a very good idea. As a father, I cant even imagine what this man must be going through. absolute worst nightmare. I pray he finds peace someday.

One of the things that people forget sometimes when they're planning to make this hike is that this hike to Half Dome is considered extremely strenuous on the upper scale of hikes in any national park. It should only be attempted by people who are incredibly fit and are in good health. And they should take the safety equipment with them in case they need it.

I did that hike of half dome with my dad when I was her age. It was a wet spring and started sprinkling. It was scary and slippery. RIP Grace.

I've been on the Dome. Your information about this tragedy is done very very well done. It's not the fault of the mountain or the park service. It is a true risk to make this climb. Very sad😢

We are attempting this next week and I purchased body harness and gloves for my sons and I. I rather go slow and be strapped than risk losing my life or worse watching my child plummet to their death.

I highly recommend "Off The Wall: Death in Yosemite" by Butch Farebee. Its every single recorded death in yosemite, and the story of how they died. You will see patterns in the decisions leading to the deaths, and you will become a much safer and smarter hiker/camper/backpacker after reading that. Poor girl, poor Dad. I know plenty of people that hiked Half Dome under sketchier conditions and were fine. Sad it was so unforgiving for her

Mike, so well said and narrated with such intelligence and experience. You're a gift to the climbing community and anybody that wants safety in the wilderness. Thank you

You are such a good man for always trying to wake people up! If you even get one...that's a bonus!

I summited Half Dome earlier that morning and that dark ominous cloud weather was looming overhead since 9am that morning, It had rained the day before so I was aware the weather would be quick to change the next day.

I think the Dad is trying to blame anyone but himself because of guilt feelings for his daughter’s death . Such a tragic story .

Agreed w fast moving weather. At Zion I went in July and it was blazing hot 90-95 deg and 5-10% chance a rain, there’s no way I would have expected rain that day. By 3:00 a crazy ass thunderstorms rolled in, luckily I was outta of the canyons by then.

You are absolutely correct about social media madness. It's vain and it's dangerous to those that have no business climbing and those they influence. Plus it wrecks local popular spots by trashing the trails with masses of people that only go there for the Instagram pic.

I live in Yosemite Valley. This happened a couple weeks ago. We often see afternoon thunderstorms, but this storm was pretty bad. Lots of rain & hail the size of marbles.

This is not a hike. This is climbing a vertical cliff face. Not a “hike.”

So incredibly tragic and sad. As a father with a daughter, I cannot fathom this type of intense pain and loss.

Even a little bit of precip on the cable section of Half Dome changes it from "acceptably safe for almost anyone fit enough to have managed the hike there" to "madness to attempt without a safety harness".

Stunningly accurate advice in every respect. Huge thanks for your logical, well-informed and thoroughly practiced information.

26-years as LE Park Ranger, Park visitors tend to ignore warnings and recommendations when they want or planned to do something. Common sayings were " what are the chances..."

Very sad story. The trauma her dad must have experienced standing there as she slipped past him is unimaginable.

BITD, I was very in shape experienced hiker, but not mountain climber. Angels landing was about the limit of my ability due to moderate acrophobia which I managed with exposure therapy. But looking at that incredibly steep smooth ascent of half dome I doubt I would have tried it even dry. Too steep, nothing to stop a fall if you slip. I had in the past decided against other ascents even less daunting. But I might have if I had a harness. Used those through out my military career climbing radars. I had the strength to make the climb, but just don't like the potential for slipping.

Our human nature, pride, adventurous nature, etc, blocks our instinct at times. May she rest in peace.

You "won't disrespect her by speculating?" Anyone hiking the cables, if they care about their life, must use a double carabiner safety harness. That alone would have saved her. In fact, if they were going so slowly because of the rain and people ahead of them, it wouldn't have even slowed them down. That's the lesson, a very easy life-saving lesson. I know she was a (young) adult but her dad should have insisted on the harness.

Pretty crazy me my friend and my older brother climbed half dome in like 07-08 and there was a storm that started once we got to the top. It was wild with people trying to go both directions pretty rapidly a girl in our group had to turn around halfway up the cables she was super disappointed and I get that she was so close but now something like this happens it makes me take a step back and think for a second. It looks way gnarlier on video than in person to me but then again my club was over 15 years ago I’m 31 now I didn’t realize how big of an accomplishment it was we did it randomly and in old run down skate shoes lol rest in peace Grace I hope she’s looking down smiling

I really appreciate this video, especially the emphasis on constantly, carefully monitoring the weather. My first trip up Half Dome was with my foster dad. He had been to the top before and wanted to share Half Dome's beauty with all his kids. But he emphasized that the weather would determine whether or not we got to summit. He would not take any chances. We were able to go to the summit, but there was a beautiful cumulus cloud miles to the south that caught our attention. It was growing so fast we could actually see it enlarging second by second. It was transforming itself into a thunderhead. My foster dad said the fact that it was some miles away didn't matter. A wind could come up and blow it right overhead very quickly. So we spent perhaps 15 minutes and then started down. Far fewer people went up Half Dome then so there were no significant delays caused by other people. Twice later I took friends (a total of four) to the summit to share its beauty. I told my friends exactly what my foster dad had told me: The weather has total veto power over our goals. We are going to watch the weather like a hawk and be smart and safe. Thanks for this video. It's full of wisdom. I hope people will listen carefully and take this wisdom to heart (and brain).

People do stupid shit and then they regret the outcome...there are so many beautiful landscapes to see that dont need you to risk your life.

I have questions. If the cables were crowded, why didn't falling cause her to bump into people in front of her and either knock them down, or stop her fall? I find it odd her father said 'We didn't want to be rude and pass people. ' How do you pass people? Is it possible that's exactly what they did? Did she go outside the line, thinking she could hold on tight enough, and lose her grip? Is that why nothing stopped her fall? I'm not trying to ask bad questions, I know nothing about half dome. But her father's Alpha male Superman look, might not mean anything, or it might mean everything. Is there video of how she fell? How can we learn from it if we don't know​ what happened? I still have no idea what happened after watching several videos like yours. Were her new shoes made defective? If her feet slipped out, why didn't she hold into the cable? I'm more confused than ever.

Great video and reminder. We are working near Acadia for the season and will be hiking Precipice when it opens up. This was a great reminder to me and my family to take the basics and safety very seriously.

A couple of notes. Those poles are not bolted into the mountain, they can easily be pulled up. Most important, if weather looks bad don’t go. I’ve attempted 4 times and three of those times I have stopped before climbing that final part. The other times, it was cloudy, or dark clouds. Remember that by the time you get there you will already be exhausted. Yes I enjoyed reaching the top but not at the risk of death. Bring your own gloves. The idea of helmet and some type of binder to rope will not work well. It better to fail than attempt because I’ve seen people freeze up on the ropes. I also recommend try to get to the final part as early as possible before the crowds arrive. Respect the hike. Train for it. And be ready if you need to try again. I will definitely go again but will gladly turn back if the weather looks bad.

I climbed Half Dome 3 times. I'd like to know the details on how you can fall down the face while descending if you are doing it the safest way. You stay within the cable path, go slowly and face backwards. It must have been the weather that made folks hurry more than normal.

Old people have a bucket list....young people have lives.

I’ve been saying for years that they should make it mandatory that going up and down the cables you must wear a climbing harness with carabiners to attach to the cables. Yes, it may take an extra few minutes but it could save your life.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Father 😢. I’m sorry that you went through this.

Wet weather, slippery rocks, no safety harness. Dangerous climb.

The Mist Trail and waterfalls on the way to halfdome are more dangerous than scrambling up,down the cables.

I've been up those cables 13 times. Last time was last September. The hazards of bad weather in such a place is obvious. Ironically the outside of the cables provides better footing(with proper soles) as the inside has seen thousands of boots and is polished in some spots and is slippery even when dry. The exposure is nothing and it's a bolted hike if you're rock climber, but to people who aren't...well, they seem a little freaked out. Throw in a rainstorm, you've got panic. I've never hiked it when there was even a hint of bad weather, but I also had the luxury of picking my day, being in the vicinity on multiday backpack trips with the Half Dome permit add on.

A 22yo isn't chasing a bucket list. They're living life. That is some old man speak for a very young woman. Young people don't think like that unlees they're influenced by someone who does, like their dad. He definitely told a story a tied it with a pretty bow. Why didn't they check the radar? If they did, why did they proceed on a day with thunderstorms? Why weren't they utilizing the safety cable with even one carabiner, certainly not the recommended two? In the rain, on a slippery vertical piece of granite where others have scraped and slid and rolled like a sack of broken bones to their deaths? Why wasn't the dad more protective of his child? Better safe than sorry

Well said. Thank you for making this video and having profound respect for life and the beauty of our world. I take your advice to heart and hope many others will as well. Keep up the great work!

Very sad this has happened, again. But we must keep wild spaces wild, that's the beauty of the wilderness.

I only made it half way up and had to turn back. Its not for anyone with trouble with heights. I knew id be scared shitless coming down those cables, was also very tired and i had terrible boots. Poor girl terrible tragedy.

How are NONE of these people using cable attachments while climbing?!?? And to think such a SIMPLE thing could have prevented this tragedy entirely! 🙄 Apparently, common sense isn't so common after all!

-My sincerest condolences to her father (who was with her) and her family and friends. Young enthusiastic people do love challenges and well some of these hikes can be deadly.

I do think the permit system makes the hike feel like a must do if you do get the permit. Feels like you’re only shot. Not good.

A college student already has a bucket list???

Thank you for your thoughtful commentary. I took one look at the cables and said "nope", as I have a tremendous fear of heights. It is also important to know your personal limitations and not exceed them. This was a very well done video. Thanks for putting it together and hopefully many people will reassess their abilities to do some of these more difficult "hikes", and gain an appreciation for the hazards that exist.

Half Dome isn't a hike, it's a mountaineering route. If you choose to expose yourself without the proper preparation, physical conditioning and safety gear you're accepting the possibility of a fatal accident. The park attracts risk with the cables, anyone who attempts them without a harness and arrest system is a fool...that simple...

That’s why you don’t call it a bucket list.

There's nothing wrong with having a bucket list. But when we're attempting these individual adventures we just need to keep in mind that we don't have to complete them the first time or maybe not ever. Maybe just the attempt is good enough. If we get to a point where it gets too dangerous or we're too exhausted then we must be smart about it. We can always come back or we can just cross it off the list and go onto our other adventures. Don't make it a do or die adventure.

Heart wrenching, heart breaking. I feel so sorry for her and her family. As a father, that has to be impossible to live with.

Very sad situation. May this young woman Rest/Fly in Peace and may her family find comfort 🙏 I appreciated your thoughtful commentary.

He doesn't seem all that upset. I think Grace summiting Half Dome was on her dad's bucket list.

A very sad story that all should watch before taking this or any other dangerous treks. You bring up so many great points. One needs to be prepared. Thanks for making this video and prayers to the girls family. May she rest in peace.

I agree that the Park Service is not at fault, as it is not their responsibility to make a trail perfectly safe. But they could add a third rope/third row of posts so that it would be easier and safer to pass a slow person. They could also add more posts and boards in the existing path so that there is less distance between boards - making it easier to stop a fall. The Park Service could increase the fee to pay for these enhancements.

Early 90’s we turned around and went back down because of the threat of rain…We used common sense.

Ive hiked half dome in 2009 when there were no permits. I remember it being very dangerous. what was dangerous to me were some people going down way too fast. and if they fall they can take others with them to their death. I think a climbing harness with some basic short rope and carabiner should be required. I dont know why its not.

Poor Grace. My son and I are listening to Stuart Gibb's 'Bear Bottom' audiobook and a quarter of it is about how dangerous Yosemite is and how tourists dont' take it seriously.

Really excellent advice. May all these victim’s memories be eternal.

I'm extremely scared of heights. Once I was climbing treturous rock at a very steep incline nearly touching the clouds seemed. Although i had rope and proper gear, I felt a sense of impending doom ahead and was afraid i could not continue any further. I then took a deep breath to collect myself, hit pause removed my vr headset and instantly proceeded from my living room to my fridge for a cold refreshment. In all seriousness, this poor woman was a much braver person than me for heights and just i hope her passing was as painless and quick as possible. Rip

The dad was my former boss. I remember his daughter as a young child. 😢

Ya i do agree internet travel culture has increased risk taking and unpreparedness leading to more incidents like this.

I did the hike on my 50th birthday. I went with 2 adult males and 2 12 year old boys. The boys scurried up and down the cables with no fear I was worried for their safety. There were a few who came down outside the cables at a slow run on the bottom stretch of the cables. For as many who safely make this hike there are relatively few who have accidents on the cables. Of I were to do this hike again I would wear a safety harness.

What magical shoes have superman sticking powers on near vertical slick granite in the pouring rain. You think people shouldn't hike Half Dome if you need to be attached to the cables. Grace wasn't attached and she died. An experienced hiker can trip, slip, be knocked down by another hiker. They are not immune to ACCIDENTS. Being connected to the cables would have prevented every death on the cables of Half Dome.

As a father of three, this tragedy is all on the father. He is supposed to be older and wiser, he should have insisted on cabling up and in the very least cabling to him. This is about the most preventable climbing tragedy I have ever heard of and I am old.

Use a harness and helmet is very important. The national park service should strongly recommend it to everyone.

I know quite a few experienced climbers who have said the cable system is in dire need of updating and upgrades, and that it is generally becoming unsafe, especially with the amount of people that get gridlocked on it. That said, people get themselves in trouble on the mountain and the mountains are some of the most unforgiving terrain out there. Not paying attention to weather, not having the ability, but pushing on anyways, etc. Most of these stories turn out to be people that are in over their heads and not smart enough to turn around before the situation gets bad. I guess that's why a lot of these stories are so sad, the deaths are avoidable, but people can't get past their own ego or peer pressure.

When you brought up the permit as a safety factor, it made a lot of sense. I wish they gave a longer window of validity so you're empowered to make safely choices. Like, weather with 20% chance is still considered "not gonna rain." That's still a green light on your one day once per year permit. Whereas a 3-5 day valid permit, you feel like youcan wait for a 0% day.

I thought during the ascent or decent they’re supposed to be clipped in. At each section. I would be using a D-Ring and harness/cable clipped in after each post.

New shoes? You have to break them in to get a good feel on its capabilities on different terrain and weather. If that makes sense. It's like driving a different car. It takes time to feel how it handles turns at certain speeds and weather.

Very well articulated, my friend. Backpack the Sierras long enough and the perilous situations will eventually find you. Its not a theme park. There is no one to sue.

I honestly don't understand why anyone would want to summit the cables without a harness, rain or shine. It really should be mandatory.

The cables are just a luxury on that hike. Those kind of climbs are always "at your own risk ". People think these kinds of accidents won't happen. Sadly, they do. This park has had over 100 deaths within its boundaries over the years. Sorry for her loss

This video is helpful. We must each learn from these accidents and make informed choices, both for ourselves and for those we share these spaces with.

Thanks for your wisdom shared and the scripture at the end! May the Lord bless you and keep you!

Heartbreaking, my condolences 😢

They could use your advice at Angels Landing in Zion...It was a circus there until they went to a reservation system. No courtesy over there.....Great advice you have given..

I’m so glad I went up the first time with a guide. Rookies to Half Dome have a mean learning curve, and if you get it wrong, or reach outside the wires, your not going to have a good day:( We ascended a little after sunrise, to beat the crowd. At that time no one was there to check permits. It wasn’t crowded, but plenty of people were going up. Descending was a totally different can of worms. Learning quickly what was the most comfortable way down, and dealing with the permit crowd coming up. A few of those people should have never been aloud on the cables, or at least had a guide. My guide gave ascenders advice when he could. At the base of the cables, I left my gloves for anyone that needed them. Climbing was a great experience that day, but I have no plans to ever ascend the dome again. When we past the staff that checked the permits, probably around 8am, it was total chaos! I have no experience with their permit system, but whatever they are doing, they are doing it the wrong way:(

A climbing harness and carabiners are insurance! Climbed it twice. Proper preparations is the best plan to avoid the many different hazards that you WILL encounter. 1) No less than 4 liters of water coupled with a water filter to replenish with additional water; 2) Enough food for energy; 3) Proper fitness; 4) Proper footwear; 5) First aid kit with ability to use it; 6) Satellite communication capability (InReach or SPOT) to report rescue need; 7) Proper mindset that is willing to turn around and return without the hike's completion (know when to stop); 8) Anticipate all weather. Not an exhaustive list. Ignoring these contribute to your or your parties harm.

Please give a demo of the safety line you carry in your pack and how you would use it.

In the Sierra Nevada...afternoon summer storms are VERY COMMON. What a sad story.

5 people have died on the cables in 100 years, ALL in poor weather. The vast majority of people do not need any special gear, just be aware and hold onto the cables. But check the weather!! The granite is slippery when wet. And if I were stuck up there and it started to rain, I’d use via ferrata gear on the way down. I’ve done Half Dome 4 times and never packed gear, but if I had any concern about the weather I would.

how in the hell do you climb a dangerous mountain and blame it on someone else when you fall? no self accountability anymore these days

isn’t the lottery system forcing people to summit even in bad weather conditions?

They ain’t nothing on this earth that would make me do this hike , hell no 🤣🤣🤣 I’ll still to watching it from my sofa 👍

I think the permit system has in fact played a role in people pushing much harder than they normally would. I climb in Yosemite and I have witnessed other climbers resorting to extremely dangerous shenanigans to get a big climb done simply because they feel that it's their one shot. This kind of pressure is not to be underestimated! People train, take time off work, and then have to win a damn lottery ticket. I believe the permit system is just enough to push hikers to go "all-out".

My job was to certify safety gears of any kind. Safety must come first, in this situation definitely carrying a safety belt or cable which must be on both sides of the cable, would've definitely save her life. RIP dear 🙏🌿

I am literally in awe of shock, they you did not say harness is a must. She probably would have lived if she had it. It should be mandatory

Over the last few years, after moving out to the desert I found myself progressively hiking more and more difficult hikes….desert mountains…solo. The biggest thing I have learned is that there’s no shame to not make it to the top the first time. No failure in turning around. Still a lovely day and challenge to just be out there. I do agree that making it a permitted hike does mean people come from far and wide and think that they really only have the one shot at it…causing this “full send” mentality. Social media just further exasperates this whole thing and here we are. Condolences to her family and friends.

The only vertical cliff rock that ever scared Alex Honnold was Half Dome. It is the iconic symbol of maybe the greatest park in the world but it is also a very dangerous place that for us puny humans must be wary.

Totally preventable, it’s crazy ppl don’t care about safety just cause they are young and it’s not “cool”

I think your experience with your own hiking disaster helps you relate in a visceral way. Having my own brush with death at 17 , this tragedy resonates with me too but the intricacies of the weather may not have been put together in the multidimensional way to avoid it without this explanation from the park. The lottery may contribute to excitement and the detour the inclination to put it ‘all’ together. If the granite is too smooth, don’t you agree they should close it? If it’s not the cable, and the weather information is not available in a predictive way, then it should not be available to the public.

He didn’t leave her. God bless him. As a parent, I totally understand 🙏🏻

You don't EVER climb rock in rain or even after just a couple of raindrops, harness or not. Harnesses on this climb can give people a false sense of security. Also need to know how to clip in/clip out, it isn't very useful if you can't clip in/clip out seamlessly without your hands getting fatigued.

I wore my new Salomons for a month before my first trip with them and that was "just" R2R in the Grand Canyon. Maybe she wasn't fully used to how those boots felt underneath her, and they might not have been broken in yet. At any rate, rip Grace and I hope the father can heal one day. Did I hear correctly in another video that said they did the summit after a 16 mile trek to the base of the climb?

I’m sorry she passed away. But I have serious issue with her dad saying that they need to make it safer. I’m sorry, you are in nature. If you want safety sit on your couch. You’re not gonna ruin nature just because you want a safe little trip up the mountain.

That is SO STUPID to create only one path that is to go up or down, which forces people to walk over each other and put them in a risk. Why not add another path and put a sign, where is upward and where it down the hill. This walking up and down cross other people makes anxious people more anxious and toxic more toxic, which can lead to unnecessary drama and accidents, if someone is too pushy when walking up or down. ADD ONE MORE PATH! Also I don't see people using safety harness. Why? It should be demanded in that place! Or highly recommended. It could have saved Grace´s life too. Her dad is kinda responsible too. :-( If he is an experienced hiker and a protective parent, why hasn't he checked the weather and bought harnesses for both of them? Well. It no longer matters. I hope that this tragedy teaches people what to do to make their climbing trips safe and joyful. RIP Grace