I'm a pretty big hiker, but haven't hiked out West. I am going to Yosemite in June, and am interested in doing Half Dome. I'm in good shape, but will do alot of cardio in the next month to prepare. Has anyone done this hike? How insane are the cables up top?? Was the hike fun/worth it?
17 miles round trip...best hike ever done....at the top there is 100 yds of cable into the rock.... i started cramping up there...but i'm probably in not as good shape as yourself. there is a pile of used gloves at the start of the cable...so u might want to bring your own. did'nt pack enough water...on way down had to drink creek water and got scared by reports of bear parasite in water effecting brain....either way have not been the same person since. good luck, but like anything hard, well worth it.
Half Dome is pretty phenomonal, well worth the effort. I was not in shape but pulled it off after doing a seperate 10+ mile hike the day before. The cables are a blast but the steep swithcbacks leading up to the cables are pretty harsh.
I would pack some vaseline to ward off the likely onset of chaffe. My balls were just not ready for 17 miles of bumping and grinding.
I agree, the hike is well worth it. The cable section is not too bad, and there is usually a pile of gloves just at the start of the cables(sometimes you can find an adequate pair). If you are in good shape, I would recommend leaving pretty early in the morning, and getting off to a quick start. It is pretty rare to be on the top alone, or close to alone, and makes the summit experience that much cooler. I would highly recommend a camelback-type backpack, you can carry more water and drink on the go a little easier.
The 'standard' time for the climb is something on the order of 12-14 hours I think, but I know I have made it round trip in less than 7 before. Then again I am 23 and spent last summer living in Yosemite. I was pretty used to climbing/hiking and the altitiude was no longer a factor. The elevation gain is approx. 5000 feet from Curry Village to the top of Half Dome. Most people are sucking down air as they approach the top. So, I would recommend waiting a few days into your trip to get used to the higher mountain air(unless you are from somewhere like CO).
Best of luck, it will probably be one of the cooler things you have done.
Average hiking pace is between 1-3 mph dependant upon difficulty, gear carried and what shape you're in. But it's an entire day from morning til evening.
For someone who is sort of scared of heights, how bad is the climb up the shoulder and then up the dome via the cables? Is it totally insane? Did you all do it in one day or two?
I don't believe there is an area where you can "camp-out" and do it in two. As for heights - just don't look down - and don't hang out over the edge once you're at the top.
I thought I was going pretty well, but when I got up there I saw a woman old enough to be a grandmother wearing sandals at the top...
If she can do it than you can do it.
May 17, 05 7:00 pm ·
·
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.
Hiking Half Dome - Yosemite
I'm a pretty big hiker, but haven't hiked out West. I am going to Yosemite in June, and am interested in doing Half Dome. I'm in good shape, but will do alot of cardio in the next month to prepare. Has anyone done this hike? How insane are the cables up top?? Was the hike fun/worth it?
17 miles round trip...best hike ever done....at the top there is 100 yds of cable into the rock.... i started cramping up there...but i'm probably in not as good shape as yourself. there is a pile of used gloves at the start of the cable...so u might want to bring your own. did'nt pack enough water...on way down had to drink creek water and got scared by reports of bear parasite in water effecting brain....either way have not been the same person since. good luck, but like anything hard, well worth it.
Half Dome is pretty phenomonal, well worth the effort. I was not in shape but pulled it off after doing a seperate 10+ mile hike the day before. The cables are a blast but the steep swithcbacks leading up to the cables are pretty harsh.
I would pack some vaseline to ward off the likely onset of chaffe. My balls were just not ready for 17 miles of bumping and grinding.
I agree, the hike is well worth it. The cable section is not too bad, and there is usually a pile of gloves just at the start of the cables(sometimes you can find an adequate pair). If you are in good shape, I would recommend leaving pretty early in the morning, and getting off to a quick start. It is pretty rare to be on the top alone, or close to alone, and makes the summit experience that much cooler. I would highly recommend a camelback-type backpack, you can carry more water and drink on the go a little easier.
The 'standard' time for the climb is something on the order of 12-14 hours I think, but I know I have made it round trip in less than 7 before. Then again I am 23 and spent last summer living in Yosemite. I was pretty used to climbing/hiking and the altitiude was no longer a factor. The elevation gain is approx. 5000 feet from Curry Village to the top of Half Dome. Most people are sucking down air as they approach the top. So, I would recommend waiting a few days into your trip to get used to the higher mountain air(unless you are from somewhere like CO).
Best of luck, it will probably be one of the cooler things you have done.
Average hiking pace is between 1-3 mph dependant upon difficulty, gear carried and what shape you're in. But it's an entire day from morning til evening.
For someone who is sort of scared of heights, how bad is the climb up the shoulder and then up the dome via the cables? Is it totally insane? Did you all do it in one day or two?
I don't believe there is an area where you can "camp-out" and do it in two. As for heights - just don't look down - and don't hang out over the edge once you're at the top.
I thought I was going pretty well, but when I got up there I saw a woman old enough to be a grandmother wearing sandals at the top...
If she can do it than you can do it.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.