Eight years ago, a group of friends and I went hiking up to Half Dome (16 miles round trip). It was a scorching hot Summer day (~90F degrees) for Yosemite. We didn’t leave camp until around 7 AM. By the time we reached the base of Half Dome, it was around 1:30 PM and we had run of out water. Still, some of us managed to climb up to the top. On the hike down, I borrowed a small bottle of water from another hiker. Five of us shared it, taking small sips mindful that it was our only water supply. By the time we returned to the Yosemite valley (6 hours later), we were dehydrated, hungry and exhausted.
Over the Labor Day weekend, some of us returned to Yosemite to go camping and to redeem ourselves on the slopes of Half Dome. It was a similarly hot day (~85F degrees). However, we were more mentally prepared for the challenges ahead. Learning from our prior experience, we left camp by 5 AM. We reached the base of Half Dome before Noon, and we started the hike down around 2 PM. We brought ample water. And we managed to avoid the congestion on the Half Dome cables and the extra strain of hiking/climbing up, under the blistering afternoon sun. Overall, it was a very successful trip!
Eight years is a long time to recall everything, which is why I’m writing this blog. This is a postmortem on what went well and how we might improve, should we decide to try again in 8 years. If you are planning to hike up to Half Dome, I hope you can benefit from our lessons learned and the checklist below:
- Half Dome Permit – Reserve in advance and bring a copy of the Half Dome permit for each person planning to climb up to the top of Half Dome. When we were there, a ranger was at the base of Half Dome checking for permits. Only about 400 permits are issued each day, although it’s possible to find people with extra permits along the trail or on the following website. If you’re really desperate, you can try to beat the ranger to the top, since the ranger doesn’t live on Half Dome
- Leave early – Start the hike early enough to beat the heat during the Summer and the crowd on the Half Dome cables, but not so early that you’re hiking in the dark on the treacherous part of the trail such as the Mist Trail (very slippery when the waterfall is pouring) right before Vernal Falls. Bring a small flash light for the hike in the dark. We left camp (Upper Pine campsite near the trail head) around 5 AM and reached the Mist Trail at the onset of the sunrise. It was perfect timing.
- Bring protection – Mosquito repellents and sun screen are essential when hiking in the Summer. Always checkout the weather forecast before the hike and dress accordingly. Dress in layers and wear a hat and shirt that offers UV protection. I personally prefer the convertible pants that can double as shorts in hot weather. On warm days, also wear shirts and socks that wick away the sweat.
- Stay hydrated - The NPS website recommends 1 Gallon of water per person if you are hiking up to Half Dome. That seems fairly accurate. My friend Eric actually packed a 1 Gallon water bottle in his backpack and drank all of it. However, unless you have strong legs like Eric or you’re a descendant of the mule, I recommend that you pack less water and bring a water filter. Be sure to pick up water at the river near the Little Yosemite campsite, since there are few water sources past that point.
- Eat along the way – For maximum efficiency, you want to eat before you get too hungry. Energy bars and gels, high in protein and vitamins, are compact and perfect for the hike. Our friend who works at Clif Bar provided us with some samples that were quite tasty. At the end of the trip, we tallied up and found that we consumed on the average 1,000+ calories per person. Your needs will vary, but it doesn’t hurt to bring a little bit more and share.
- Don’t forget the camera – Yosemite is one of the most beautiful place on Earth. The John Muir trail and the hike up to Half Dome offers plenty of opportunities to take great pictures. I brought my iPhone and it took some great pictures (see links to pictures below). Unless you’re a serious photographer, leave the SLR at the camp. There’s no need to be weighted down.
- Wear a climbing harness – About 1/4 of the climbers on the slopes of Half Dome wore a climbing harness when we were there. I really think it should be a mandate for everyone. The harness allows you to clip yourself to the cables and prevents serious injuries or even death, should you loose your grip and fall off Half Dome. We didn’t have the climbing harness, but noted it down as a “must have” for next time.
- Muscles, shoes & gloves - To reach the top, you need to pull yourself up the slopes of Half Dome (400 feet ascend at up to 45 degrees) with the help of two cables and wood planks that are laid approximately 10 to 15 feet apart. You need to be physically fit, with strong legs and lots of upper body strength. As the cables and the granite rock can be quite slippery, you also need to wear shoes and gloves that have great traction. Our friends who wore tennis shoes this past weekend had no traction on the granite and had to abandon the climb
- Be Safe & repectful – Recent news of people falling off Half Dome and the waterfalls along the John Muir trail should serve as a reminder that Yosemite is not an amusement park. There’s danger lurking everywhere. If you ignore the warning signs or choose to act stupid, nature will take a bite out of you! Despite the warnings and recent events, we still saw many people wadding in the water just about 15 – 20 feet from the edge of Vernal Falls. Pity.
Below are some pictures that I took at Yosemite and along the hike up to Half Dome. BTW, WordPress sucks for not supporting the Google Picasa slideshow widget, so you will need to click on the picture to see my web album. Enjoy!
