Also, the park ranger talk at sub dome should mention that the steps disappear and you are suppose to scramble to the peak of Sub Dome. There are not markings there whatsoever.
I did this in August and it was amazing. No joke on bringing enough water and food for the entire day. Also bring a pair of grippy leather gloves for the cables. I thought the Subdome was scarier than the actual cables. Take it 1 step at a time, and go down backwards.
I reckon you`d be ok dude, Im 44 and im no fitness freak but im fit, If you go , when you get to the junction where it says rainbow falls, dont go this way , follow the trail that says Nevada falls and loop trail , its easier . Come down rainbow falls trail then you get the best of both worlds. Take plenty of food and drink , take twice as much as you think you will need, believe me. Start the hike at 5.00am in summer. Im saying all this because you wont regret this hike, its amazing.
***** The trail to top of Nevada Fall has a lot of climbing. Then it's a gradual uphill trail until you reach sub dome where you need to climb the sub dome and half dome cable. But overall it's not that hard.
Hiked it a few days ago, left by myself at 2:30am, got to top for sunrise at 6:30am. was back down by my car at 12. 9.5 hours total. i think going at night was easier because I couldn’t see the hard terrain in front of me from a mental aspect. go early and beat the crowds, the tourist by the falls have no regard of trail etiquette and will hold you up while they take a photo of a squirrel.
One of the coolest things about having done Half Dome, every time you see a picture of Yosemite it's usually of the valley with Half Dome in the center of the shot, to which you smile knowing you've stood on top, what a rush.
73, drove to Alska and back from Orange County, Ca.3 years ago, hike Mt. Everest Base Camp last year celebrated 72nd birthday. This year my plan was to climb Mt. KLIMANJARO but Corona came. I decided to hike places in USA, The Half Dorm is one of my lists. I am not sure till I train myself again Thank you.
I hiked half dome in 1976 without any safety equipment when I was 10 y.o. No one had any safety equipment back then. We were on our way down when we heard that the trail was going to be closed for a few weeks so that they could replace the cables for the second set. We were climbing on the first set. I think they are probably on there 4th or 5th set by now. We didn't need a permit. We just went.
Went with my son years ago. We backpacked from Tenaya Lake, over Clouds Rest, down and back up to camp on Half Dome's shoulder at the base of the sub dome. Great place to spend the night, greater place to wake up in the morning. We had the place virtually to ourselves with the exception of a few climbers that were doing the face the next day. There were only a couple of people on top of Half Dome when we arrived. By the time we left the cable was full of people going up. We simply went down the outside of the cable, one hand in front of our bodies and one hand in back. You could control your speed that way, it was a breeze. Take leather gloves. Pack light and carry all the water you'll need, we took a gallon jug plus our usual bottles we hike with, it was plenty for two half days and a night up there.
In my opinion, the cables itself were the easiest part. The rocky steps right before the cables were the most difficult, especially on the way down. I’m in a good shape but hiking the Half Dome was a way to intense for me and I’ve been very sore for the next 2-3 days. However, it’s a very beautiful place and I would like to do it again!
Just did my first Half Dome hike! It was awesome. I for one am happy for the permit system...it keeps traffic down not just at the cables but on the rest of the trail as well. (My group found the subdome to be the sketchiest part, actually, and I can only imagine how much sketchier it was when there were more than 300 people using it on busy days.) Good shoes (not tennis shoes), plenty of water, and rubber coated work gloves made it all doable, but it was still quite a challenging hike.
THE CABLES ! The legendary cables. And then there is Alex Honnold, who went to the top of Half Dome on its vertical face in a dramatic free solo climb. (not for the squeamish or out of shape).
Ten years ago i stopped in the middle of the way. I got panic attack! I couldn't keep going. A strong wind was sweeping the place. I was terrified! Lol
USA Canada the best country in the world do much free so much ❄ on the moutains that's why so crowd Germany England nice too but USA huge country even Arizona nice dry beatifull I like to travels with crowd because montains those woods have ghost people disipaire every year 👻💀👽
Just don't forget to bring you gloves. Thys was the strenuous walk I did in my entire life. I started on a Saturday noon (5h30min up), camped at Little Yosemite Valley, and summed up on Sunday mourning (4h30min up) But once I got to the subdome, I started to reason with the tiredness, the low water supply, and the freight of highs, but was the lack of gloves the determinant factor for me to giving up the final sum of my Half Dome hike. So, be fit, prepared, bring lots of water, and just don't forget you gloves.
Did this last Tuesday. The last day the cables were up for the season. The most important thing is bringing sufficient water and food. Pace yourself and take plenty of breathers along the trail. I would also invest in some hiking poles. I didn't have them and the trip back was torture near the end. Also do yourself a favor and take the Muir trail all the way down. The switchbacks on the mist suck going down.
You might consider camping at Little Yosemite - it's half way up. Take a water filter and bear spray and make reservations as soon as you can. Its a wonderful hike and I'm glad we did it in two days.
Ah, visited America from Britain a few months back. Doing this hike was by far the highlight of my trip & a massive achievement. If you have the opportunity you have got to do it. Went up John Muir and down Mist so got to see everything, took 9 hours overall. I wasn't overly athletic by any means, played tennis casually over the summer - Would say active, but no fitness guru. Food & Water are the essentials, with that and strong will power there is no reason to feel daunted.
I just completed this hike and climb to the top of Half Dome this past week (on September 10, 2020 -- despite COVID-19 and the thick smoke from nearby fires). It was amazing! If anyone has any questions that might not be covered in this video (or other Half Dome videos), just reply to this comment. I found that most videos don't give a very accurate assessment of the hike and what to expect. Thankfully, we were well-prepared and made it to the top and back again. So, if you have some questions, I'll try to answer them using my experiences. I've also been to Yosemite quite a few times (if you have other questions).
Thanks for the video and great information. I hiked this in 2006 with several friends having researched it, we camped at Little Yosemite which got us to the cables with few people there. One of my favorite hikes!
Alaric Yeah, seeing views that you can see on a video is TOTALLY worth risking your life. At least when I risk my life in a car, I'm doing it for a reason like I'm driving to work. It's not a risk that can EASILY be avoided.
I was up there in younger days- left early during a high water year. The volume over Nevada Falls was just unbelievable! Sweaty hands on the cables- I wanted so much to take a photo over the Great Edge, but my instinct and fear was overpowering, I could not- 4,000 feet to the valley floor!
potatothorn I did the hike up right to the top from the valley floor less than 2 weeks ago in 3 hours 54 mins (that includes the cables). All together from the way up to the top and all the way to the bottom I did it in less than 7 hours. Started at 6:30am and got back just before 1:30pm.|The hike is much easier than you think. You just need strong calf muscles, glutes and fairly strong forearms for the cables.|TIPS:- If you do the climb, start early in the morning. It gets really hot and tiring once you try to climb in the midday heat, especially on sub dome and the cables. Also it is less busy so it is easier to climb up especially on the cables. By 11:30am the cables will start to get really packed and I got slowed down by 30 mins approximately because people were taking it real slow down the cables.... recommend starting between 4am and 6:30am- Bring plenty of water. this day was the most I sweated in my life and I almost finished all my water (I had 3 litres in my bag and refilled it sometimes on the way)-Bring gloves for the cables or your hands might get torn and badly cut up.-Wear a sunhat and use sunscreen for obvious reasons.-Try to bring a buddy to watch over your back. A buddy helps with navigation, water supply if you need it, and emergency if you get lost or need first aid.- Start the hike earlySome other things you should know...- Sub dome for me was by far the hardest part. The steps are humungous, steep and snake so much up the steep slope I had to have about 3 breaks. There is also no shade there apart from precisely two or three small trees so the hot heat was bearing down on me harshly. I hated that part...- On the cables grip with both hands, if right handed, left hand under and right hand over on the same rope. it helps grip and if bad things were to happen, that would be your best bet and not falling down the clifface. some people like to climb backwards on the way down. I only did when it got too dangerous to descend facing forward as I went down the cables.I will make a video about the climb soon on my channel.Hope this helped,the hike is beautiful, you should try it!- Alex
StudioOAC you must be in insane shape this is not average at all. I did Kearsarge Pass last week and it took us 5 hrs to get up to the top. We were the slowest people on the trail but we made it
potatothorn Kearsarge pass looks nice! I hope to go there someday. To be honest I am not that amazing in shape. I am only a 16 year old kid. That just shows that anybody can do it.
Well, seing this from a French Alps men point of view, it's always weird to see city noobs coming on hard trails without required physical fitness or equipment. We have the same people here, on all seasons ha ha !! But this spot is very beautiful, it could be one of my favorite if I was in this country. And one question: are all rangers so charming ? ^_^ Kidding no offense madam :) Very beautiful trail running spot, with rocks, water and trees.
".....and some people are too fat and out of shape to be hiking at all much less a half dome hike....and some people are just so dumb they dont even think to turn around and head back. Their thinking is "gee, Im dying here! Guess Ill keep going!""....funny stuff...
Nothing like hiking out of the Grand Canyon and seeing a foreign couple coming down at 3/4 of the way down with a liter bottle of water each. Also saw a very large lady getting care-flighted out of the Canyon at Indian Gardens. What was she thinking? God bless her for trying, but as Clint Eastwood said: "A man has to know his limitations"
Randalf999 Some people just use no common sense, if they aren't in shape they shouldn't even attempt this. And people need to research what to take with them. A little pre planning can sure help!
To test if you're up for Half Dome, walk the entire distance across San Francisco and then climb to the top of the Transamerica Building and then walk back across SF.
BOOO the permit system . BOOO permits. the NPS shuld install a 3 rd cable for separate up / down which would nearly double capacity. And isn't the verneil trail - always wt, slippery with large sections of no hand rails of any sort - just as dangerous ? Did I mention, BOO the permit system.
really! seriously, my greatest fear is I'll either cramp up going up on the final cable ascent OR I'll struggle breathing at the higher altitude, lose my balance and fall off the frigging face of the dome. it could be all the head for now perhaps, doomsville, if you will. given all this, scaling half-dome won't be on my bucket list of things to do anytime soon! ah ha. best of luck to you though! :)
I just hiked half dome. From happy isles via the Mist Route it is 19.5 miles. Why do you advertise it as 14 miles? It simply is not 14 miles. It is irresponsible for NPS to understate hike distances.
It is unlawful for anyone in our American constitutional REPUBLIC'S governmet to regulate private people! We have the right to pass unhindered by criminals in or out off uniform on public land with our untaxed property ( not a privilege granted or not granted by our public employees ) !
the hiking permit is it only for the cables? or we need that to hike up the sub dome as well? would like to hike the sub dome without going up the cables.
When I went the permit was for being in the back country so they know your entry point and exit point and how long you plan to be there. Also it's their way to make sure you know the rules of the park. They don't care if you do the Dome or not. I saw a couple of people that either decided against it or had a fear of heights and just accompanied a friend on the hike but had no intention of doing the Dome themselves.
Getting a permit is a good incentive to attempt the hike, but not always a good reason to attempt to complete it. Also, this hike is not the place to learn that you are unfit or unprepared for it.
It is wise to walk this route alone? I will visit Yosemite from the Netherlands in 2020 and would like to climb it. Unfortunately, my travel group doesn't have the same excitement
I'll never forget that one day hiking to Half Dome. The nine-mile walk each way wore my legs out! By the time I reached the cables where people walked in the inside to climb up, I walked on the outside of the cables and used my upper body strength, which I had a lot, passed everyone up, and made it quickly to the top. An unbelievable site!! I wanted to look over the edge, but common sense got the best of me. Over 2,000 feet down, I'll just keep resting and looking from the middle. Bring extra socks and comfortable boots. Take the 'switchback' trail. It is fewer people and takes a little longer, but it's worth it!
我的问题是,为什么不可以从半拉山的另一侧登顶,两侧的斜度是一样的,这样会节省很多的走路时间。My question is why it is not possible to reach the top from the other side of banla mountain with the same slope on both sides, which saves a lot of walking time. 有谁来回答 Who answer
Great Pointers on Hiking Half Dome. With the snow and rain recently, special care will be needed when the cables are finally up. But, when dry, Half Dome provides a climb that you will cherish forever. Thanks for a great video!!
a couple comments - first, don't forget sturdy gloves. and maybe a large carabiner and maybe 15 ft of 5 /16 nylon rope. good quality not clothesline. just incase you or someone else loses their nerve. or it gets wet. and - the PERMITS STINK. just put up a third cable, seperate up / down. the Permits stink.
just hiked half dome last week! It was a great experience but the hike was definitely extremely difficult. I was lucky to have a perfect day to do the hike though! It was all worth it in the end but definitely pack a ton of water and snacks to stay healthy during the hike.
Dancing with the Gods is a true story of fate, choices and foolishness. Surviving lightning on Yosemite’s Clouds Rest and Half Dome. To be thrust onto the stage of the Gods, one comes to question free will. Finding free will may be rooted in our own foolishness.
Hey sorry for delay, From the bottom , eg , where the sign is for destinations it says Half Dome 16 miles round trip i think. I left there at around 6.00am and got to the sub dome around 10.30 but thats going via Nevada falls, you can go quicker if you want to hike up past Rainbow Falls, I come down that way , its easier ! Good luck if youre going.
leaving them with all the time of the ages to search for the answers that they risked all to find. This is an eyewitness account of what brought heroes and fools to the stage's edge of survival on the lightning ripped peaks of Yosemite’s Clouds Rest and Half Dome