Half dome climbing 4 days ago · Hiking the John Muir Trail from Happy Isles to the eastern shoulder of Half Dome (7. Honnold says he prefers to walk on the outside of the cables, grabbing onto just one. The dome encourages your child to climb up, under, through and around the structure with other kids, helps them develop confidence, balance, strength, and agility, giving them hours of playtime and creativity while developing their interpersonal and social Jun 15, 2012 · Alex Honnold has free-soloed the Regular Northwest Face (VI 5. 6 days ago · This fee pays for park rangers checking for Half Dome permits and providing Half Dome visitors with hiking and safety information. Below are some guidelines from our friends over at the National Park Service. Oct 29, 2024 · Climbing the half dome cables Climbing the cables on Half Dome. The $10 fee is fully refundable if you cancel your permit by 11:59 pm Pacific time the day before your hiking date or if the cables are not up on the date for which your permit is valid. The picture updates every few minutes. Brennen's account of climbing Half Dome; A speedclimb of Half Dome - Aug 1, 1998; The climber's route from Mirror Lake - Sept 12, 1999; A winter attempt Climbing Half Dome. Climbing the Half Dome Cables in Yosemite National Park. The preseason lottery is the most common way to secure a permit for the Half Dome hike. 5 miles) is the straightforward but grueling option. There are toilets directly by the trail at Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. You do not need to otherwise indicate that you want to hike Half Dome on your reservation. Climbing experience is not Jan 17, 2025 · Half Dome is one of the most famous mountains in the entire country, and the hike to its summit is one of the most iconic. Honnold took 2 hours and 50 minutes to complete the route, which has one short pitch of 5. If you’re going to be doing Half Dome as a day hike, a 28 to 35L backpack is enough to carry all the essentials you need. Alex Honnold (born August 17, 1985) is an American rock climber best known for his free solo ascents of big walls. Tips for Climbing the Half Dome Cables – From what shoes to wear and what gloves to bring to techniques for going up and down the cables. Preparation and safety are key to having a fantastic experience. If you go without a permit, and get caught, there’s a $280 Mar 2, 2025 · By Michael Lanza. Half Dome Elevation: 8,846 feet (2,696 meters) Total Elevation Gain: 4,800 feet (1,600 meters) from Yosemite Valley Hiking Time: 10 - 14 hours Why climb the trail to Half Dome? Half Dome is the ultimate Yosemite day hike - the one you can't die without doing, and the one you're most likely to die while doing. The Half Dome cables are typically taken down on Columbus Day in October and put back up on Memorial Day in May. To learn more about Half Dome hiking tips, from obtaining permits to navigating the trail, visit my complete guide to hiking Half Dome. 5 miles) and then following a climbers' trail to the base (0. If completed in a day, we rate this hike as very strenuous due to the mileage, elevation gain/loss, and the added obstacle of climbing the cables at the end. Nov 8, 2022 · Gloves: The best gloves for Half Dome have an adjustable wrist strap and fit snuggly. 6 (engaging in a permitted activity without a permit) and is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail. . ️ When you arrive to pick up your wilderness permit, let the wilderness center staff know that you would like to hike Half Dome during your trip. The typical Half Dome in a Day hike begins with a wake up around 4am for a 5:30am start, followed by a strenuous 8-mile hike up nearly 5,000 vertical feet to reach the base of the Dome. While the Half Dome cables go up b Jul 9, 2023 · Climbing Half Dome is a bucket list hike for good reason. from June 15 thru August 15, 2025, or during Memorial and Labor Day weekends, will require reservations. Jun 15, 2006 · The classic profile of Half Dome, recognizable worldwide, sits over the east end of Yosemite Valley like a distant guardian. May 27, 2025 · Climbers and other visitors who plan on entering Yosemite National Park between 6 a. A maximum of 300 hikers are allowed roughly split as 225 day hikers and 75 backpackers each day on the Half Dome Trail. Oct 10, 2017 · Then there are others, less sane perhaps, who come here because they won the lottery for the permit to climb half dome. I live just an hour outside of Yosemite , and after completing Half Dome myself , I can confirm that gloves were an essential part of the last 400 feet of the hike where you use steel cables to Mar 19, 2024 · In 1965 Eric Beck, with Jim Bridwell and Chris Fredericks, made the first ascent of Snake Dike (5,7, 8 pitches) on Half Dome. I vividly remember my reaction upon first seeing the route's cable section: I was astonished and terrified. He's also the first (gringo) to climb Half Dome (in 1875). When you get to the junction with the JMT, stay left to continue up the Mist Trail. This is a camera on Turtle Back Dome aimed at Half Dome with El Capitan and part of the Valley in View. Here’s what to expect: Stunning Scenery Glacier Point to Half Dome (4 Days) Cathedral Lakes to Clouds Rest & Half Dome (5 Days) Tuolumne Meadows to Half Dome (6 Days) Trips Without Half Dome; May Lake to Snow Creek (4 days) Alpine Lakes and Summits (5 days) Amazing Sunsets (5 days) Yosemite Icons Backpacking (5 days) Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne (5 days) Hidden Yosemite (6 days) Half Dome Cables. 2 miles, which means it’s a constant climb the entire way. Looking for Half Dome trail maps to prep you for your hike? May 11, 2023 · The Half Dome is found east of Yosemite Valley. One of the best of the best-selling backpacks is the Osprey Skimmer 28 Hydration Pack (for women). Pass a swampy area (Lost Lake) on a trail to the left, and then wander up a weakness in the lower slabs to a ledge system below the south face of Half Dome. A true bucket list trail for most hikers, this awe-inspiring adventure guides you past cascading waterfalls, through sequoia forests, and onto barren granite rock faces. However, the snowpack from the prior season can delay the start of the cable climbing season. Source 2 for people ready to buy cables to attach to the ones on the climb for better safety; What to Expect When You Go to Half Dome. Mar 18, 2019 · As many as a thousand hikers a day once packed onto the trail to climb Half Dome's backside on summer weekends, creating unpleasant crowding and dangerous conditions. No hike in the country really compares with Yosemite’s Half Dome. Half Dome Lottery System. Half Dome is a area inside of Yosemite Valley. Oct 3, 2018 · Trained in a climbing gym in Sacramento, Honnold, 31, burst onto the international scene in 2008 with two high-risk, rope-free ascents—the northwest face of Yosemite’s Half Dome and the The Half Dome cables are the crowning achievement of one of the most famous hikes in Yosemite National Park, the Half Dome Hike. Honnold rose to worldwide fame in June 2017 when he became the first person to free solo a full route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park (via the 2,900-foot route Freerider at 5. This 208 page full-color printed guidebook includes unprecedented route detail such as climbing strategy, retreat information, descent topos, pitch lengths, and gear recommendations for each pitch. Half Dome, without question, is a difficult and dangerous hike. Permits. Amenities: Spacious fitness area complete with free weights, machines, and calisthenics tools. The chain section of Half Dome is very steep, but the chains are there to help guide you up the last 400 feet. Also, your best friend while climbing Half Dome. Bathrooms. This is a hike that requires users to be in good shape. gov, with an application period in March. The Slabs, although technically more difficult, is much faster and can mean the difference between being first in line for the Northwest Face or Aug 15, 2024 · The route to the summit of Half Dome ascends 5,457 feet in 8. Based on my experience climbing Half Dome, I created the following gear list for an epic hike you will never forget. Permits are distributed by lottery via Recreation. The 1950s and 1960s are often considered the “Golden Age” of Yosemite climbing, a period that marked the birth of modern big-wall climbing. When you come back, you'll pop out at this intersection after descending on the JMT. Most people take 10 to 12 hours to hike to Half Dome and back, depending on the way you chose to come down. Half Dome is a quartz monzonite batholith at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley in Among those who took advantage was the first woman to climb Half Dome in 1876 Jun 11, 2024 · Half Dome hike is not an all-year-round trail. Half Dome Trail Map. Climbing 400 feet (122 m), Half Dome’s cables are nearly as long, also vertiginous, and you’ll be doing it after a longer approach. Jul 30, 2024 · The method is considered the easiest, safest way to descend after climbing one of Half Dome’s technical faces. If you choose to ascend the cables, prepare for a long climb (especially if it is crowded)! The cable section climbs about 400 vertical feet at about 45 degree angle, which is STEEP! The granite can feel slick under your feet, and you will use the cables to pull yourself up the trail. Please note: If you read other blogs and information provided by the National Park Service website, you will see the distance for this hike ranging from 14 to 18 miles. CAUTION: Accept the following recommendations at your own risk. The long, very strenuous, challenging, and incredibly scenic day trip to one of the most iconic and sought-after summits in America begins with ascending the Mist Trail through the shower constantly raining down from 317-foot Vernal Fall and below thunderous, 594-foot Nevada Fall. Rangers are typically stationed at the sub-dome to check for permits and it is a hefty fine of up to $5,000 if you are caught climbing Half Dome without a permit. Dec 24, 2022 · The Half Dome cables were too much for us and we had to turn back with just 200 feet to go, knowing that the mountain had defeated us. You must obtain a permit to hike to the summit of Half Dome. E. Jun 5, 2023 · Climbing Features: Climbing walls ranging from 25 to 35 feet in height for auto belay, top-rope, and lead climbing, bouldering walls reaching 15 feet high, and specialized training equipment including a 12'x12' system board and campus board. Yosemite’s towering granite faces, particularly those of El Capitan and Half Dome, began to draw climbers from across the country. Climbing Half Dome is dangerous under any circumstances and has resulted in fatalities. “A lot of people have fear of heights, and Half Dome can be a mentally messy hike,” says Lindsay Gurley , a certified, adventure-based life coach and professional mountain guide. Done in a single day, hiking Half Dome is a test of both your physical conditioning and mental fortitude. Yoga room Yosemite Big Walls: 3rd Edition is the most current, detailed, and accurate guide to Yosemite's most classic walls such as El Cap and Half Dome. 11+. Throughout the hiking portion you experience massive waterfalls, giant boulder fields, lush forests, roaming wildlife, and raging rivers! Sep 19, 2016 · By employing a basic rock climbing protection system, it is possible to safely scale the Half Dome cables route even after the cables have been taken down. From the top of Nevada Falls, continue for 0. Apr 1, 2025 · The Golden Age of Yosemite Climbing: The 1950s and 1960s. However, it’s also a rewarding accomplishment. Detailing more than 1,300 boulder problems and packed with personal essays and breathtaking photos, Yosemite Bouldering is a must-have guidebook for anyone climbing in Yosemite. Snake Dike, a moderate but wildly runout route, was the scene of a tragic accident this year when New Zealand student Anna Parsons suffered an 80-foot fall that seriously injured her and led to the amputation of her left foot. Jul 31, 2023 · Bring a daypack to carry your gloves, camera/phone, snacks, water, and other gear while climbing Half Dome. ; Climbing Harness: Try on your harness before you start your hike!; Locking Carabiners: You will need three locking carabiners for the prusik system. 12) to amazingly steep lines Jul 9, 2017 · In fact, more than 20 people have died climbing Half Dome, either from falling off the cables, having a heart attack, being struck by lightning, or from failed base jumps. Additionally, the bivy site used for this climb and the Upper Death Slabs approach are directly under the unstable zone and are subject to higher risk. It’s perhaps the most iconic symbol of Yosemite National Park. Coming at the far end of a 14 to 16-mile (22. If you are using the Mist Trail, your journey will begin near Curry Village. Nov 28, 2018 · The Black Diamond Half Dome rock climbing helmet has long been a staple for climbers worldwide. Towering over the Yosemite Valley, this iconic granite face offers climbers a challenging ascent that has captivated the climbing community for decades. Rising 1,360 feet from an elevation of 8,844 feet above sea level, climbing Half Dome will take you dizzying heights with its sheer face and reward you with unparalleled views you’ll remember for a lifetime. Since 1919, relatively few people have fallen and died on the cables. Sep 10, 2024 · Half Dome Cables. In 2010, the park started requiring all hikers to get a permit in advance, limiting the Half Dome Trail to 300 day-hikers and 100 backpackers per day. Along the way, hikers pass through scenic meadows, breathtaking waterfalls, and ancient pine forests, making the trek a journey through diverse ecosystems. 5 – 26 km) round-trip hike, the infamous Half Dome cables span the last 400 feet of the 4,800-foot (nearly 1500 m) elevation gain from Yosemite Valley. Half Dome Hike is an extremely strenuous & breathtaking 18 mile round trip hike via the mist trail. Continue up along the side of the Merced. If you visit after Columbus Day or before Memorial Day, don’t expect to climb Half Dome. The park limits the number of people who can climb Half Dome to 300 per day, a cap aimed, in part, at reducing gridlock on the cables. Made with a durable ABS outer shell material for impact protection and EPS impact foam for shock absorbsion, this helmets meets climbing safety standards. Aug 24, 2020 · Hiking and climbing Half Dome is a huge mental game—it’s not just physical. The climb to Half Dome is particularly famous for its strenuous path. You don’t need to be a top level athlete, but you do need a reasonable level of fitness and have at least some hiking experience. It had taken us less than four hours to get there - a decent time for Half Dome - but the slippery granite rock on the near vertical climb was one step too far! From a psychological perspective, the last 500 feet (152 m) to the top of Angel’s Landing can be intimidating. With only one drinking fountain at the Vernal Fall Footbridge, BYOW is required. Brennen's account of climbing Half Dome; C. This is one of Yosemite National Park’s most iconic hikes. 12a, 23 pitches) on Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. View this description of the Half Dome hike and how you can be best prepared to complete it (9:42). Glaciers cleaved the dome clear in half (hence the original indigenous name Ti-sa-ack or Cleft Rock in the language of the Awahnechee), leaving incredible slab climbs on the sunny southern aspect such as Snake Dike (5. Cons: You may develop a seriously expensive addiction to Rock Climbing. However, injuries are not uncommon for those acting irresponsibly. Make sure as you are climbing that you have a good grip on the chains and that you always have one hand on them. Half Dome Chains. Half Dome boasts an unreal summit, 5,000' of rise from the Yosemite Valley floor and amazing views of the Yosemite and the High Sierra. Important Half Dome Safety Tips – Tips about the top hazards to expect along the Half Dome trail. It provides more protection and offers more durability than any other helmet at an unbeatably low price point. But, thanks to the cables installed in 1919, hundreds of hikers climb Half Dome every day. Jul 16, 2017 · It is possible to climb Half Dome when the cables are down, but that is beyond the scope of this post. Water: The element of life. Jan 14, 2025 · Half Dome Camping – Where to camp on and off the trail when hiking Half Dome. Jul 13, 2022 · After everything is away, you can start climbing up. ️ Reserving a Half Dome eligible trailhead also reserves Half Dome permits for your entire group. The most famous—or infamous—part of the hike is the ascent up the cables. Of course, this depends on where your starting point is (more on this at tip #20), but you shouldn’t be expecting a hike shorter than 17 miles. The simple yet highly effective design and construction make it a easy choice for safety helmets. At least two pitches (P11, P12) were removed entirely. m. Without the cable route intact, it is impossible. The trail, however, is well-maintained and easy to follow. Ascending the subdome or Half Dome cables without a permit is a violation of 36 CFR 1. 13a, the first-ever big wall free solo ascent at that grade), [3] a climb described in The New York 5 days ago · Snake Dike is the easiest technical climbing route to the top of Half Dome, the most recognized rock feature in the United States. You may know it from an image on your screen saver. 1 gallon (4 liters) if hiking to the top of Half Dome 2 quarts (2 liters) if hiking only to the top of Nevada Fall Mar 6, 2024 · Other Tips For Half Dome. The Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome is a monumental Grade VI big wall climbing route, recognized as the first of its kind in the United States. Oct 19, 2023 · The Route. gov. C. If you do NOT get a permit, you will only be allowed to go as far as the sub-dome (which is the base of the Half Dome below where the chains are attached to the mountain). Standing tall above all of the other cliffs, peaks, walls, domes, and waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley (known as THE valley to climbers all over the world) is perhaps the most iconic cliff in America, the face of Half Dome. Every 50 feet or so you will see a wooden slat Jul 31, 2023 · 21 ESSENTIAL HALF DOME TIPS FOR HIKE DAY 1. Pros: You get to experience Half Dome in a way that few other people do. Nov 11, 2010 · Snake Dike was the second route to penetrate the otherwise blank canvas of Half Dome’s imposing southwest face (after the much harder Salathé Route), and many a Camp 4 naysayer was amazed when Bridwell, et al, returned victorious the same day they left the Valley floor, with tales of easy movement and fun climbing. 12a and several pitches of 5. The Half Dome hike round-trip distance is ~18 miles or longer. 7) and Southern Belle (5. Getting a Half Dome permit Sep 6, 2020 · With the help of a trained rock climbing guide, you can “learn the ropes”, and use that knowledge to climb Half Dome. Now, with the permit system in place, the number of people on Half Dome is much more manageable. You can hike Half Dome without the cables, but you need a serious set of winter climbing skills. and 2 p. This 14-mile day hike begins on the Mist Trail, to the top of Vernal and Nevada Falls, through Little Yosemite Valley, up to the Sub Dome, and to the cable route where you will reach the top of the Half Dome. With a maximum capacity of 1,000 pounds, the Space Dome Climber supports up to 5 kids. But, trying to get a permit to climb Half Dome is virtually impossible. Jan 25, 2007 · This route has undergone changes since a significant rockfall took place in July 2015. Half Dome day use hiking permits are available only through lotteries on Recreation. After that, you’ll have to do it in the woods. Visitors holding a Half Dome or wilderness permit, in-park camping or lodging reservations, or en To climb half dome with the cables down is a once in a life bucket-list adventure! There is so much hype surrounding half dome, and for good reason. However, once you start climbing Sub Dome and Half Dome, there are no trees or privacy anymore for the rest of the hike to the summit, even for a quick pee. Normally, ascending Half Dome's 46° east face would demand technical rock climbing skills and equipment. Half Dome. Half Dome is one of Yosemite's most famous climbs. 75 mile to an obvious climber's trail that heads off to the left, contouring around behind the back of Liberty Cap to Half Dome. The path you are on now was built by George Anderson in the late 1800s. Dec 21, 2023 · Is Half Dome For You? That’s a question you’ll need to ask yourself. The two metal cables allow hikers to climb the last 400 feet to the summit without rock climbing equipment. Half Dome day use hiking permits are Dec 20, 2024 · The Black Diamond Half Dome is an affordable and very protective helmet that is one of the most popular climbing helmets in the world. When you embark on the Half Dome hike, you can anticipate a range of experiences that contribute to the overall adventure. Not many people in the world can say they completed Yosemite’s most challenging day hike. jyzijdzp vlmt emdc drptctt rph olfd eeuka qnk wchr lrqp