Half Dome: Part 2 - Cables & Summit 4K 

Yeah there's definitely a subculture out there that condescends to those who use safety equipment. Don't understand why. For the most part though, we've found people to be respectful and courteous. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and taking the time to watch our video! Hope to hear from you again!

Yeah they aren’t cool. I just did it today and didn’t need a harness like a child. Grow up

Being picked out of the shrubs is even less cool...lol!

Man that hike to the top is STEEP! I’m scared of heights so I would personally use a harness. I’d rather be safe than sorry.

@@benbrown1187 wow you're such a big boiiiiii

Well said. Half Dome is quite climbable, but it doesn't allow for do-overs if you fall. Always best to be cautious.

At Home In Wild Spaces Indeed. I even wore a helmet when I used to wake board. ;)

This is easily one of our favorite hikes. Thanks again!!!

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

It’s been said that “Half Dome is the hike you’ll still be smiling about long after all others have faded into pleasant memories.” We’ve been on some amazing trails, and Half Dome remains one of the most memorable. Thanks for watching and subscribing! We hope to hear from you again.

Again, huge thanks! So glad you've been enjoying our videos! Hope you'll consider sharing them. Always great hearing from you!

that video really gives you the grade of half dome....a friend who did this hike tells me you literally are pulling yourself up...

Thanks 👍 Glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks again!!! If we could we'd capture the feeling of the wind, the fresh Sierra air and the texture of the mountain beneath your feet, but I guess there are somethings you can only experience by visiting these beautiful places first hand ;) Happy Trails!!!

Thanks! We wanted to make a video worthy of this trail. We hope we came close.

Congrats! It’s a trail like no other. Make sure to read our companion guide - Half Dome: The Ultimate Hiking Guide (link in video). Have fun, be safe, and leave no trace.

Are they still letting you make the climb due to coronavirus?

I hope you’re still going, talk about perfect timing. Our hike is June 14th and I can’t wait!

2 years later i feel it calling

Whats the best way to obtain a permit

If you had as much fun as we had you’ll have a fantastic trip. Just make sure to stay safe and leave no trace. We’ve also written Half Dome: The Ultimate Hiking Guide (link in video). Thanks so much for watching and commenting! Hope you’ll come back and share your experience.

Always! Thanks for watching and commenting!!!

🤞Best of luck! It’s an experience like few others. Thanks for watching and commenting!

Thank so much!!! We are so glad you enjoyed them! We've got some great new videos to come hope you enjoy!

Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it. Schöne Grüsse von den USA.

Good luck!!

Good idea

Ha had to wtf is that nice video tho

Just felt it that necessary to comment that?

Lolll dude for real, sounds like a basic Christian rock song

Best advice ever

Thanks so much! We're glad you enjoyed the video. Best of luck with your training. Half Dome is a phenomenal hike. Stay safe, and make sure to minimize impact. Best wishes!

Id also recommend Clouds Rest if you havent been!

Before the cables were in place Half Dome was commonly thought to be "unclimbable". A few people who climb the peak made it possible for many others to follow. It's a remarkable hike. One I'll never forget.

Some really great council. We agree. There is absolutely no shame in knowing your limits. Half Dome in not a trail to be underestimated.

I'd agree. Unless it's wet. The biggest safety issue I thought was how it got so packed on our way back down as more people showed up that it took 4 times longer to get down then up.

Thanks! It’s a spectacular location and an unforgettable trail. Thanks again for watching and commenting!!!!!

So glad you enjoyed it! We're big fans of capturing our experiences. We used a GoPro as well. Already wanting to go back. Hope your trip was a success. Thanks for watching and commenting!

Thanks so much for watching and commenting!!!

Thanks! It's a hike like no other.

Well done! It's a fantastic climb. One of our favorites.

Our pleasure! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!!!

Thanks! Hope you make it. One of the best trails we’ve done. Thanks for watching and commenting!!! Make sure to watch part one: The Mist Trail

Thanks! It's hard to go wrong with such an incredible trail, and setting. Thanks for watching and commenting!

We completely agree with you. This is a remarkable, and challenging trail.

Thanks!

Thanks for sharing your experience! Congrats on making it to the summit. That's no small feat.

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching!

We fully agree. Cameras will never truly capture the beauty of nature. We hope people will watch our videos and decide to preserve and enjoy these amazing places. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! If you haven't already, we invite you to subscribe. More great content to come.

Thanks so much! It was a passion project for sure. We're so glad you enjoyed the video!

It is definitely not your average trail. The exposure can mess with your head, but if you've got good footwear, well prepared, and respect the mountain most people could summit Half Dome. But it is definitely intimidating.

Not for the faint of heart. It's nearly a vertical mile from that spot to the valley floor.

Angels landing is a pretty good introductory trail for Half Dome. They have a great deal in common, but Half Dome is on a whole different scale. We hope you make it. Be safe and please leave no trace. Thanks for watching and commenting!

Thanks! It's definitely not a trek to undertake lightly, but for most people in reasonable shape and with a good head on their shoulders it's a very doable trek.

Thanks :) It's a fantastic trail! We wanted to make the best Half Dome video we could, hopefully one that distinguished itself from the other videos out there. We definitely feel we might have done some things better, but overall we're pleased with the result, and thrilled by your response. Thanks again!

very true

Congrats! We’re aching to go back! Thanks a ton for watching and commenting. We’re thrilled you enjoyed our video! Make sure to watch part 1: the Mist Trail.

Congrats!! Wasn't it fantastic? We did it for the first time in June, day after the cables went up at sunset and had the climb and top to ourselves. It was AMAZING!!! Would love to do it again at sunrise.

Best of luck!

Thanks!!! We’re fond of it as well. Thanks for watching and commenting! If you have any suggestions or questions we’d love to hear them.

Thanks and greetings!

Thanks! We've wanted to do this trail for more than 5 years. So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks a ton for commenting!!! Hope you'll check out our other videos. We're quite proud of our other recent Yosemite trail videos. God-bless!

We were fortunate and got a first come backpacking permit from the wilderness office.

Thanks!

This makeshift via ferrata will break your back and severely injure you if you were to fall. Consider buying a proper lanyard if you want to do this

So glad you enjoyed it! Our hope is that people watch our content, marvel at the earth's beauty and find renewed inspiration to push themselves, explore and preserve the world's natural beauty. "This is our world, this is our time". Thanks so much for watching and commenting. We hope you'll do so again and that you will consider subscribing to our channel for more great videos.

Not a trail for the faint of heart.

We brought them ourselves. I'm not aware of any place in the valley to rent, but expect nearby towns have climbing shops with harnesses available for rent.

Hope you make it! If you plan to hike Half Dome, make sure to read our hiking guide: www.athomeinwildspaces.com/travel-blog/half-dome-the-ultimate-hiking-guide. It contains all the information you'll need to successfully summit Half Dome. Make sure to stay safe and leave no trace. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!!!!

So glad you enjoyed it. This was a passion project for sure. What an amazing place! Glad we could take you back. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!!!

Our group was split 50/50 regarding which was harder. But we all agreed that neither should be taken lightly.

The shortest routed to the summit and back is 14 miles and nearly one vertical mile of ascent. Half Dome is one of the most difficult day hikes in the national park system. The ability to reach the summit is well within reach for people with moderate hiking experience, if they prepare properly and know their limits. This trail should not be underestimated. It’s hard to gauge the trail’s difficulty. It really varies from person to person. We’d advise your train, and plan for a physically, and mentally challenging (yet rewarding) day. Hope that helps! Best of luck in your bid for the summit. Remember that you’ll need to have a permit for the sub dome, cables and summit. Stay safe, and Leave No Trace.

GoPro Hero 4 Black and Sony A7r II. Hope that helps! Thanks a ton for watching and commenting! It helps us a great deal.

We went in June and got to the cables early in the morning before most other people. It was during a heat wave. 94 degrees coming down the cables. Worth every drop of sweat.

Thank you! We used a GoPro Hero 4 Black and a Sony A7R II. Hope that helps. Make sure to check out our other videos.

No shame in that. We know a great many people who had to turn around. Safety is always the priority, and it sounds like you made a good decision. Summit fever kills. We're always glad when people share their experiences, especially when circumstance demands turning around. Thanks for sharing!

Climber grade rope and carabiners secured with a bowline around the waist and an overhand knot on a bite. A full climbing harness is not needed since you are on a 50° grade rather than a cliff face, but we always advise people use whatever system they are comfortable with so long as you are properly secured. Hope that helps. Happy trails!

Yep. Same path up and down. We would describe it as terrifying, but it’s definitely not for everybody. There is a certain amount of risk, but proper precaution negates any serious danger.

glad you enjoyed it. I'll have more Yosemite videos coming out later this year. I hope you'll stick around.

We didn't track our progress too closely. Maybe 40 minutes (we were a little slower, but had the cables mostly to ourselves). A person in good shape and experienced with exposure to easily make it to the top in 10-15 mins. But it will vary from person to person.

We were fortunate. We hike it mid-June 2017. Go on a weekday, get to the cables early, avoid holidays and large events like marathons and you’ve got a decent chance of enjoying Half Dome without the crowds. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching and commenting!

@@HomeInWildSpaces it does thanks! I'm apply for a permit for September, fingers crossed.

Best of luck! Stay safe, Leave No Trace.

Definitely not for everyone, and that's totally ok. Thanks for watching and commenting. Hope you enjoyed the video.

This footage was recorded in mid June 2017. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching and commenting. Please consider subscribing. More great videos to come.

This footage was captured mid-June 2017.

Ah, to turn back the clock. No line. No Permit. Sounds amazing. Harnesses aren’t a requirement and we’d wager that roughly half of climbers don’t use them.

Thanks so much! We’re glad you enjoyed it. The most common if not the only negative feedback we get is in reference to the music selection. Perhaps some day we’ll publish a music free version. Until then. Thanks so much for your feedback. We hope to hear from you again.

Thanks! We went mid June 2017. There was record snowfall last year so waterfalls were really impressive. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!!! We hope you’ll check out our other videos, including the Mist Trail and Upper Yosemite Falls.

We unfortunately don't have a link to our safety equipment, but we do have directions on what gear we used on our Half Dome hiking guide. Check it out: www.athomeinwildspaces.com/news--travel-blog/half-dome-the-ultimate-hiking-guide

We've got a guide video in the early stages of development that will discuss knots and equipment used for our harnesses, but it may be sometime before it's ready. We did write a companion guide on our website which covers how to make a basic safety line. Feel free to check it out while you wait for our guide video. Thanks again for your comments. We hope you'll consider subscribing if you have not yet done so. We've got lots of great content coming soon. Link: www.athomeinwildspaces.com/travel-blog/half-dome-the-ultimate-hiking-guide

The climb down can be extra disconcerting for many. Of those in our group, half found it more difficult than the ascent, the other half found it easier.

"This is our World. This is our Time" by Pink Zebra and Benji Jackson.

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! Here's what we'd advise. First, please commit to leave no trace and abide by park regulations. Next, there's really no better training for hiking then hiking. Ideally, we'd advise finding a good training trail preferably between 4000 and 9000 ft in elevation, with a fairly aggressive grade and hiking that or another trail between two and three times a week. Start with distances and intensity that suite your fitness level, gradually increasing distance and intensity until you're capable of safely hiking roughly 14 miles and 5000 vertical feet. Also, consider using a weighted backpack. If you don't have a good trail nearby, consider using the stairwell in a tall building, or a treadmill with an aggressive incline. With the exception of a few level sections, the trail to Half Dome's summit is quite steep. You'll be glad you trained for both distance and ascent. Next, make sure to work in some moderate upper body routines. The cables require a good amount of upper body strength. You don't have to be a superhero, but some strength in your arms and core will serve you well. Prepare mentally. A number of trail sections can be intimidating, not just the cables. Know how to remain calm and respond appropriately to your surroundings. Finally, make sure you acquire a permit for the subdome, cables, and summit. Hopefully, you've already applied for the permit lottery between March 1-31 and were granted a permit. If not, consult our comprehensive Half Dome hiking guide (link below) for other permit options. Hope that was helpful. Stay safe and best of luck! There are few trails like Half Dome. www.athomeinwildspaces.com/travel-blog/half-dome-the-ultimate-hiking-guide

It really depends on the individual. I found it much easier. But many people find it much harder because the view down the cables significantly more dramatic. It's as much a mental experience as it is a physical experience.

It's quite common, but not required.

A little luck, an early start, and planning our ascent when most people are at home or working. It’s definitely possible to have a more “wilderness” experience if you plan accordingly. We still had between 12-15 other hikers on the way up and maybe 30 on the way down the cables, but as Half Dome does that’s pretty slow. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching and commenting! We hope you’ll also consider subscribing. We’ve got lots of great content to come.

At Home In Wild Spaces thanks so much! Really great video 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

Definitely not the approach we advocate, but good for you. Glad you made it up, and also down safely. Way to go!

Thanks so much for you comment! We're so glad you liked it! As for people down-voting, we've received some feedback about our music selection. Apparently, it hasn't resonated with everybody. Still we're glad to get the feedback. Overall the feedback has been quite positive. Thanks so much for your comment and for watching!

If you intend to hike the full distance in a day, yes. The earlier the better. Procrastinators not only frequently find themselves stacked up on the cables, but also end up hiking down in the dark, fatigued and after park shuttles have stopped running for the day. Also, you can’t beat the early morning light atop the summit.

We did it last Thursday... we woke up at 3 started at 430 bc it gets hot! Have fun!

It takes a fair amount of effort, but it's very enjoyable with the proper training and preparation. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! Happy trails!!!

It's definitely not a trail to take for granted. We're personally glad that railings and cables are kept to a minimum. You loose a lot of the experience if there are railings everywhere you might fall. Just take it easy, and know you limits. Thanks for watching and commenting!

You’re in good company. Many of our viewers have expressed the same.

A fair amount of prep, an early start, and a bit of luck. There were a few other travelers on our way up, a few dozen more on the way back down.

Yes. Each day park rangers stand beneath the subdome and check permits and ids. We suppose there may be a day when they are not posted but we DO NOT advocate ascending the dome without a permit except during the off season. We have heard of stories where people hike to the subdome and some times encounter a party with permits and an extra slot, either because a member of their party turned back or decided against ascending and are able to climb the subdome and cables with that group. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching and commenting!

@@HomeInWildSpaces thanks. I wasn't actually thinking about NOT getting a permit i was just wondering how they enforced it.

Unfortunately our GoPro batteries died shortly after we reached the summit. The decent was amazing, but it didn’t seem prudent to use our large camera while on the cables. Thanks so much for the feedback and for watching!

It's a very different experience being there in person. Videos can only go so far. Did you make it to the top?

@@HomeInWildSpaces yep! Took me about 30 minutes

We appreciate the feedback. Our viewers are largely split on this issue. We are however working to incorporate more music free videos into our library. We’d invite you to check out some of our more recent uploads, including one called “Pure Yosemite”. No music except for the songs of birds and waterfalls. Hope you enjoy!