What has your experience on Half Dome been? Please share, good or bad, so that others know what to expect. And I know some folks are saying "I've done it and it was fine," and that's how it's been for me the majority of times too. But I have gotten feedback from many of you who used the guides and said it was pretty scary, or even that they got there and said "no way." I've never heard feedback that the cables were "a relaxing and calm experience." This video (the end) is a good watch in terms of what's possible on a day where no one dies but it's still intense: ruclips.net/video/1NocJIl-otE/видео.html
No not a clip that still very unsfafe what happen if cable snaps or the rock crack? Need proper advance climbing gear. And I think anchor need to put in near the side of the wall for safety precaution. You don't see proffessional climber falling on their climb, it happen but very rare. Cause proper gear is used as well as extensive training.
@@Sherlock245 Its a 1/2 inch wound steel cable - its not going to "snap". And the rock won't "crack", and if it does, if you are clipped on to the cable you won't go anywhere. You sound like a keyboard warrior, Monday evening quarter-backing from your sofa, and never been on the trail.
I've done this hike once, but afterward I decided I would only do it again wearing a safety harness and clip. That would solve 95% of their problems. It should be a requirement before getting a permit. If people choose not to wear it when they reach the cables, that is their problem.
I first climbed the cables back in 1971 when I was 12 years old. I did not use gloves and I did not have grippy shoes. No permit was required, there were very few people going up/down, and my friend and I just walked right up to the base and ascended the cables to the summit. Took maybe 15 minutes to ascend/descend. I don't recall having any traction problems, and I think I wore a pair of Jack Purcel tennis shoes that had no tread whatsoever ;-). Fast forward to August 2019 and my experience was dangerously different... In August of 2019, a hiking group I belong to had permits and invited me to join them. I hadn't climbed the cables since my one and only time in 1971, and eagerly looked forward to re-living that experience. When I reached the top of the sub-dome, the first thing that struck me was how steep that granite face was. I didn't have any memories of it being so intimidatingly steep. The second thing I noticed was the number of people ascending and descending the cables simultaneously. Being a seasoned hiker/climber and very safety conscious, I thought this was a recipe for disaster. Nevertheless, I decided to wait for a lull in the traffic and jumped in when I thought the risk would be slightly lower. The next thing that struck me was how slick the granite had become. It was as if it had been polished. And I wore very grippy hiking shoes. I realized that it was going to require more arm strength than I had expected. I made my way up and caught up to the back of the conga line in little time, and waited. And waited. A few people further up the line had become paralyzed with fear, so it took a while for them to finally make it to the top. It took me 45 minutes to ascend. My experience descending the cables was the same. A few people further in front froze with fear, and it took 45 minutes to complete the descent. Fortunately, we had clear skies and a slight breeze, so I didn't mind waiting there on my 2x4 taking in the spectacular views while the folks in front sorted themselves out. I did notice a couple of 20-somethings making their way up along the outside of the cables, gripping the cables while hooking a gallon container of water around a couple of their fingers. Just great. Another opportunity for a knucklehead to cause serious injury to someone if they lose their grip on the water container. I completed the descent, let out a sigh of relief, moved well away from the base of the cables, and waited for a few friends to descend. As I waited, I heard a loud, metallic clanging, and spotted a metal water bottle bouncing down the face from about midway up the line. Fortunately, it bounced away from the line to the left and nobody was in it's fall line. Again, another opportunity for disaster. I told myself I would never do Half Dome again and that I would advise others to avoid it. As I sat there, I thought how in the world could the park allow people to still do this climb? When I ran into the ranger at the base of the sub-dome, I asked him this. He said the cables were grandfathered in since they were put in place before the Wilderness Act of 1964, and there wasn't anything they could do about it, except to limit the number of people that can access it via the permit lottery. He told me they had no authority to stop anyone from climbing Half Dome, other than the permit, even if weather conditions make it dangerous. He told me of the most recent death the previous year, when a hiker ignored their warnings that the rock was still slick from a rain storm the previous night, and the hiker slipped and fell to his death. We talked about the deaths that have occurred there over the years, and I told him I was amazed the number wasn't higher given the volume of people doing it. About two weeks after my trip, hiker Danielle Burnett slipped and fell to her death. On that same trip, I hiked to Clouds Rest for the first time a few days later, and was blown away by the quality of the hike, the mind-blowing views, and the far lower risk. I now advise my fellow hikers to skip the Half Dome insanity and hike to Clouds Rest. I apologize for the long-winded post, but this Half Dome craziness really hits a nerve with me. I am 100% on the same page as you, Chris. Keep up the great work.
Question, if the cables are grandfather in, why don’t they just leave them the way they were then? The way they are in the Fall-Spring. Why do they put up poles and steps? Seems the park is actually helping the Jerrys instead of deterring them.
@@23JMRH good question. I didn't ask the ranger about that. I assume that full access via the cables was grandfathered in, so they are obligated to install the vertical rods/posts every spring. It will take more fatalities and serious injuries to get them to change their policy.
@@WilliamDwyer-x2n I don't see how they'd be obligated to keep the poles and cables in place. There's no way it's illegal for the park to remove them. Not being able to prevent people from climbing it is one thing, I'm not buying that they have to provide the cable system.
@@trevorpullen3199 I thought it was a weak answer, too. I thought his claim that they can't stop anyone from climbing the cables as long as they had a permit no matter what the conditions are was weak, too. But when you think about it, you have climbers scaling vertical walls all over Yosemite Valley, exposing themselves to even more dangerous conditions (think Alex Honnold), and the park can't stop them. I'm guessing the park service are firm believers in Darwinism. 🙂
My son and I did an incredible guided 6 day Yosemite backpacking trip a couple of years ago that culminated with Half Dome. He was 14 at the time and was a complete stud during all the hikes up and down some serious trails. When we got to the top of Sub Dome and we saw the cables he said, “Dad please don’t make me do that.” So we hung out on Sub Dome while the rest of our group went up the cables. Absolutely the right decision. To me that crosses the threshold between ‘hiking’ and ‘climbing’.
I have a 2 year old son who I am really starting to introduce to the outdoors, and I just so happen to have plans for Half Dome in a couple of months with a group of guys I fully trust on any trail or summit we attempt. That being said, I love my boy to no end, and I fought back a tear reading your comment because I just imagined if it were him saying that and I could fully visualize it. There's no way I could let him do it. Props Dad and props to your son for acknowledging his limits. 🙏🏻
My wife and I did the cables last summer, as it was on her bucket list. I've been rock climbing for years on granite, so I zipped up and down without any issue (in Altras). Assessing the risk, I was mostly nervous that someone was going to slip and fall into me. People aren't wear climbing/approach shoes that are meant to stick to rock. Your Hoka/Altra trail runners are not great footwear to climb a slab, especially one that has been polished by thousands of visitors (as mentioned in the video). Moreover, not many people have enough upper body strength to cling to the cables if they were to slip anyway. Add a little water and it's a slip n slide of death... I was confused why via ferratas were discouraged, but I assume the thought is that it would encourage even lesser fit people to do the cables, making falls more common and knocking off people below (the pole-to-pole distance is far at times). I met one guy who who was very hesitant to go up the cables and sat at the bottom for an hour and half, trying to psych himself up to ascend the cables. The hike alone had nearly killed him and he wasn't a very active person. I told him that summitting Half Dome was underwhelming (which it was) and that he didn't need to go to the top to have a great life experience. He turned around and went down a happy person.
Amen, well said. The last time I hiked Half Dome was 15 years ago. Someone talked a woman into "hiking" the cable section, she a few people in front of me. About halfway up she seemed to have had an epileptic attack and started grabbing people around her, screaming "I am going to fall, I don't want to die", she was scared out of her wits. People very quickly back away from her, for fear of being knocked loose from the cables. She would NOT allow anyone to pass her, either coming up or going down. After several hours SAR teams or ranger climbed up to her and forcibly placed a harness on her, there was at least two or three rangers above her and two or three below her as they are forcibly and very safely, very controlled pulling her back down off the cables before she killed herself or others. There is no shame in healthy fear and preservation of one's safety and life. No one should ever have to talk you into climbing THE CABLES or THE 99 SWITCH BACKS, and no one ever should shame you into it, same goes for sky diving or cliff jumping. Each time I've climbed the cables, I was asking myself "why", they are super frightening, one slip and you and perhaps others may die. Don't talk anyone into doing anything they do NOT want to do. Decide to live another day.
That is really an unbelievable story!! It never occurred to me a situation like you describe could take place. Perhaps a severe panic attack but thrashing around and grabbing people, HELL NO! Not the place to be doing that! Not to mention it takes hours to even get to the cables, and all the people stuck up there, not cool. Shows you what complete terror can look like. People obviously didn’t want to take the risk of going around her on one cable even on the outside. We did Half Dome three times, the second time as a group of seventeen people (spending the night on top). Most of us were already at the top when we learned one of our group completely froze at the steepest point. She couldn’t go up or down. Her husband had to just keep talking to her for about twenty plus minutes before she finally got ahold of her fear and got to the top. I don’t recall any mention now about whether anyone had to pass her going down. I 100% agree with you, no one should ever be pressured to do something when they are this terrified. That said, you don’t always know you are going to freak out until you are already in it. The mind is a strange place to be, lol. Glad they were able to get this woman down, sorry it ruined your hike!!
100%, that's true of anything. I was hiking with somebody about 15 years ago and stupidly let him talk me into continuing into a dangerous situation when I had reservations. Guess who I haven't hiked with since? Ever since that, I do NOT discuss a safety decision in-committee. If I decide to turn back because I don't think it's safe, that's it, done. Sticking with that decision has saved me major injury and possibly my life at least once. If somebody tries to browbeat me, I'll tell them, "Go ahead if you want, I'll see you at the car," or, "I'll wait at point XYZ for you." Also, I won't hike with that person again. It is incredibly disrespectful to break out the "Come on, don't be a wuss" stuff. Everybody has to do their own hike and if they decide that their hike isn't working out and want to turn back, respect that decision. Anything else is being a crappy friend/hike-buddy. Don't do it.
i knew it, fricking knew it. as an alpinist, i read about that case 30 minutes ago and was like really, they do a "klettersteg" that steep with not carabiners? WHY? this is no longer hiking, this is mountaineering. even if it is "the lightes possible kind" the risk of death is very real.
You're exactly right, it's not just your skill level but you're dependent on the people around you. While ascending, I'd be more afraid of someone ahead of me slipping, falling and knocking me down, instead of the ascent itself.
As you stated, other's skill levels can affect everyone on the climb. When the young lady fell and slid, as horrible as her death was, she could have taken out people below her. I used to hike a lot. "Climb", never. Once on a very long hike to our destination, the next day took a trail to another day "hike" site. Great hike until the final part which was climbing down an exposed "ladder" to the bottom. Heck no. I didn't do the final part. Waited above for two of our party to do it. If I slipped, I would have died.
I was a guide in Yosemite and have hiked halfdome countless times. The mountains are dangerous and nothing will ever change that. That said, I would advise people to do clouds rest instead. It's higher elevation with arguably a better view and other benefits.
Just did Half Dome on 7/3. As a first timer, I used a via ferrata and mostly kept one clipped in the whole time. The whole thing is pretty steep but the middle section of it is quite steep and slippery. I had confidence because of the clip. However, as I was coming down someone dropped a water bottle that went past me and a couple people going up were slipping because they had running shoes on and not good hiking shoes. So, even if you feel safe and have experience, use the via ferrata because you can still be impacted by those around you. I loved it and may consider doing it again but not without safety equipment.
You said it yourself, it's statistically more dangerous to drive to Yosemite than it is to climb Half Dome. Although anything keeping the crowds down is okay with me. I do recommend the Clouds Rest hike. Less crowds and an arguably better view. Making it a one way hike starting at Tenaya lake ending in the Valley is a better option than starting in the valley. It is a lot easier.
You're exactly right, it's not just your skill level, but you're dependent on the skill level of those around you. I'd be more afraid of someone around me falling and knocking me down, instead of the ascent itself.
People speak of things being “on their bucket list” - this means doing things before they kick the bucket (die). Re-examine those things to make sure they don’t contribute to your kicking the bucket prematurely and unnecessarily.
@@watchersmith806 Agreed! I recently visited Yellowstone NP and had this very same conversation with a few family members who didn’t seem ton connect “bucket list” with dying/death. 😂 I’m not familiar with the origins of “kick the bucket”, but at least I know what it means and, therefore, I never use the phrase.
@@Aceboogie2911I think the most widespread origin of the phrase refers to the bucket being kicked from beneath someone who is hanging, which just adds to it.
Completly agree. The first time I saw the cable section I was shocked that they even considered it a "hike", because it's not. It's a sheer face mountain climb basically. Insane they don't recommend harnesses because of the time, it's so dangerous. This girl would've been alive with a harness. 😢 Her poor father.
FFS, how many people have to say it. If they require harnesses and keep dumbing down this “hike”, they will just get more Jerrys and it will slow it down a lot putting more people in danger of getting caught in a storm. How about this, if you need a harness, turn the F around. No one cares about your bucket list, trust me. No one gives a shit.
yeah it's insane to me that harnesses are not just not required but actually discourages. advising people who don't know any better to compromise safety in the name of speed is beyond irresponsible imo.
Park Service should REMOVE all cables and require a mountain climbing permit to climb where the cables were, just as if they were climbing the face of Hald Dome, El Capitan or any other cliff face. If Joe or Jane Smith the "Hikers" cannot reasonably and safely ascend any trail, let alone 45 to 55 degree smooth granite with good grippy shoes and hiking poles, it's no longer hiking, it's mountain climbing
I have done some tough hikes and never wanted to do Half Dome. Not from the cables or steepness but the crowds and lines. It’s such a turn off. Plenty of great hikes with fantastic views that don’t require waiting in line or dealing with issues like you described.
I do too! Yosemite has been in my bucket list for quite some time, but Half Dome does not interest me.. The views in the surrounding areas are great too (Taft Point & Glacier Point). But I can see why people interested in hiking it, it's like for the sense of achievement (conquering the peak), which okay I guess. But that's not what I'm looking for when hiking, haha
subscribing because content creators that genuinely put the safety of their audience over a quick click should always be recognized. thank you for being responsible with your platform and keeping everyone safe !
Thank you, appreciate that. I have a few hundred trail guides up and always put safety at the top of the priority list, realizing that folks could get in real trouble if my info is bad. I want people to enjoy the outdoors and be safe. 👍🏻
My coworker saw 3 people go over the falls- 2 hopped the barrier to take a self and 1 slipped and pulled the guy down with her. A bystander ran over and jumped in the water to try and save them, and the current was so strong all 3 went over the falls. Never take for granted Yosemite.
Yes, when I lived in the valley, 1980 to 1984, a friend witnessed 2 people going over Vernal falls. I'll never forget her description: "He looked so tired" and resigned to his destiny. A safety rope, in those days, was stolen. I can't imagine that imagery ever leaving my nightmares. Thankfully, in my younger years, I got to see the "Firefalls" off of Glacer point on numerous occasions.
yeah, never go hiking or climbing on social media spots waiting in line. we know this from mt everest, it's happening on every spot being popular. it's even like a magnet to unexpierenced people. being athletic and fit is one thing, it doesn't provide you with skill in the mountains, its just a baseline you need... we see a high increase of accidents in the alpes due to that. it's a problem.
@@cdcd1607 I feel sorry for your coworker and the person who tried to save them. I simply don’t understand the importance people place on getting the selfie. The minute they climbed over a barrier they showed their stupidity and arrogance that park rules and barriers don’t apply to them. Yeah, how did that work out? Wonder what those last thoughts were as they were plunging to their death? The real tragedy here is someone lost their life trying to save theirs. I will change your last line to read, “Never take your life for granted and use your brain!”
Terrible - I remember either that or essentially the same happening right before or after I hiked Half Dome once. Felt worst for the bystander who tried to help and ended up needlessly dying along with them. It's hard to hear stories where being a good Samaritan is the wrong choice, but helpful to get a sense of where that line is. Tragic all the way around.
I've done half dome a couple times, most recently last year. While the crowds are not nearly what they were before the permit system was put in place in 2010, they're still pretty bad. When I went up last year, it took over an hour to get up due to traffic - particularly people who maybe shouldn't be there, who are terrified, and are very slowly making their way up using some kind of harness arrangement. My descent was better, but still took more than a half hour - again, due to traffic. The rock IS VERY SLIPPERY, even when dry, even with good shoes. Gloves are required unless you have very tough hands, as is good climbing technique. Going up, face up the hill and go hand over hand on ONE cable. DO NOT have one hand on one cable and the other hand on the other cable! Going down, do the reverse: face uphill and go hand over hand on ONE cable. There are numerous places on the cables where one can "safely" rest. I encourage people to go up Clouds Rest instead nearly every time I'm in the park. I'd go so far as to say that Clouds Rest from the valley is actually an easier (albeit longer, higher) hike than Half Dome, due to the difficulty and danger of sub-dome and the cables. Clouds Rest from Tenaya Lake is an excellent hike. While "The Spine" is unnerving to many, it's really not dangerous. No one has EVER fallen off the Cloud Rest spine & died (last I knew, anyway). Plus, when you summit Clouds Rest you can look down on the people on Half Dome, 1000 feet below you :)
@@carldaniel6510 hello im a rock climber for 7 years & i would acknowledge this hike just the falling is risky i been outdoor bouldering one in bishop happy boulders
Yea the last year before the permits started I remember getting to the subdome, seeing the crowds, and opting out of the cables. It's def better now and sometimes it can be empty (like in the video). Last few times I've had luck in the afternoon (3ish)
I was in a very active scout troop as a kid, and we went hiking everywhere. I enjoyed it a lot. We made a trip to Yosemite to hike HD, and when I got to the base and saw the ascent, I went from "yeah no big deal to nope, not doing that" in about 5 seconds.
Thank you for your kind approach to this video. You were very respectful in your mention of Grace. I haven't hiked Half Dome but have watched many videos since a friend of mine did it last year, have been more interested in people's experience. I'm so surprised that this hike is allowed by the NPS and so many people actually do it. What scares me most is how so many lives are at risk if one person starts slipping and starts a chain reaction of people falling. Thank you for doing this video. With your experience, your advice has creditability. Taking your advice might make a difference in someone's life.
I use a harness and via ferrata set with two carabiners. Never had an issue with speed, but I climb rather early when crowds are sparse. I love Clouds Rest, and have hiked it, usually from the Valley floor, more often than Half Dome. Six thousand feet of gain. In length it’s similar to the Whitney Trail, just at a lower elevation. Which makes all the difference. 😉
Totally agree. You are absolutely the most knowledgeable and helpful guide on RUclips. TY, as a sierra mountain guide and paramedic I totally agree with your summary. Included in the dangers as you mentioned sudden lightning storms also kill there and a sudden retreat is impossible. Thus the dangers there are actually not really preventable. Keep up the good work.
I feel like NPS should just require harnesses. If they are saying harnesses are making crowds on the cables, then reduce the number that they allow up the cables more. Also, I agree; Cloud’s Rest is just as beautiful if not more so.
One of the best hikes ever done, and I can't wait to do it again. I felt like i needed to use a lot of upper body strength to offset the slippery granite going up. The ranger was really clear to not go up if you didn't feel comfortable.
100% agree. I always tell people to avoid half-dome and climb cloud's rest instead because of the cables, if it thunderstorms while on the cable you're just dead. Also recommend avoiding downhill skiing, cross-country is fine. If you go to Mammoth Mountain for a ski weekend your odds of serious injury or death is about 1 in 15.
(Sorry for my broken English) Yosemite has been in my bucket list for years. I hiked many mountains before and some of the mountains I hiked needs 2 days full to get to the summit (I'm not an expert hiker, but I'm definitely not a beginner). I experienced pants full of leeches and even hiking during a storm (very scary). But Half Dome has never been in my destination. What I learned through the years is that to "never underestimate the nature". Half Dome is what I called as "challanging mountain" as in it's not the view that people want to have when they got to the peak, but the challange and achievement itself. I don't really want that when hiking. In a couple years (on my 40th birthday I hope), I'm planning to have a holiday in Yosemite for about a week, but I'll skip the Half Dome. There are so many spots to visit (Mirror Lake, Yosemite Falls, Four Mile Trails up to Glacier Point, Meadow Loop and El Capitan Meadow, Tenaya Lake, etc). If anyone want to hike the Half Dome, please please please be very careful and please reassess your stamina, fatique level, wind strength and the weather when you got there. Do not be tempted even though your mind says "But I've got this far, it's just a little more." Have a safe hike, everyone! Love from Indonesia
@@Damon_Mah Thanks for the recommendation! But it seems it would be difficult for me to spend much time in Tioga road since I will be traveling via bus and train (I don't have international driving license). But I'll definitely check them out! 😁👍
i think that this is very good advice regardless of the hike. I think a lot of people fall prey to summit fever and keep pushing even though they've realistically run out of gas
I have hiked it twice and both times in pristine weather conditions, however the crowds were intense. Think of it more of a pilgrimage than a wilderness hike. The crowds on the cables are a real issue as waiting to move while on the steep rock is more tiring than moving up the face. We grew frustrated and climbed up on the outside of the cable to go around the bottlenecks. For those unfamiliar with the final assent, the ditch is right at the angle that you can just barley friction climb, with some slipping wearing decent hiking boots, and in perfect conditions. Add water to the face and you have problems.
This is a very sad story and my condolences go out to the family. The SFGATE reported on this incident and there are several details that I found very interesting, one of which I'll quote here: "A ranger told them there were storms in the forecast, and at times, they did notice clouds overhead." The report also stated a number of other interesting facts. The father and daughter were both very experienced hikers and considered themselves to be very adventurous. Half Dome was on the daughters bucket list. Another quote, "Grace was in a new pair of hiking shoes that were supposed to offer good traction - but they didn’t." I assume her new shoes had lug-style, vibram soles which are normally very grippy, but don't work on wet, polished granite. When they were on top of Half Dome they heard a loud clap of thunder and the father said they made a decision to book it back down as quickly as possible (i.e. they knew the risks). He said that other hikers in front of them were moving slow and "it seemed impolite to pass them." As for the sudden thunderstorm, they weren't totally blindsided by it. The ranger brought the possibility to their attention. Furthermore, they're from Arizona, they should be very familiar with this kind of summer weather. As for mountains, they form their own weather in the summertime. You can be 60 miles away from the mountains with not a cloud in the sky overhead, but when you look at the mountain range in front of you, they're surrounded by thunderheads. So all in all, they both seemed to understand and assume the risk associated with climbing Half Dome. Lastly, I returned from a backpacking trip in the Sierra two weeks ago. There were plenty of opportunities for missteps, but I came through unscathed. However, when I returned home on Sunday afternoon I walked to the corner to buy a pizza. On my way back I stepped from a parking lot onto a sidewalk, and my toe caught the top of the curb, and without warning I fell flat on the ground. It happened so fast I didn't have time to brace myself with my arms to break the fall. My head hit the pavement with a hard thump. Surprised it didn't knock me out. But these things can happen in a flash.
I don't think adventure hiking is exp this is vertical climbing so you do need exp in rock climbing to give you lrself a very good chance of not falling.
@@Sherlock245 Yosemite issues 300 Half Dome permits per day, of which 275 go to lottery winners and 75 to backpackers. That's 9,000 people per month climbing Half Dome when the cables are up between May and October. Multiply that by the number of years since permits were implemented, together with the number of years people were climbing it before permits were required. The numbers are staggering. I would venture to say at least 95% of the people who hike Half Dome have no vertical-face rock climbing experience whatsoever.
@@rkatrails it's not me it's the expert climbing leader that are calling for such drastic measure on far more dnagerous climb. And I am talking about only allowing exp climber that is what they are pushing. As they have even push to get people ban if they don't have the proper exp. And people are mocking these idea when it's coming from world climbing leaders!!!!!!!!!, 😬🙄 All because people are dying and just overcrowding shows it's very unsfafe.
I think one of the problems is that most people are only going to do that hike once in their lives. And with the lotto system, you basically have one shot at it. So it's literally ride or die.
Lifelong hiker and sometime climber here( albeit very short term) and I am very grateful that you posted this. Full disclosure- I have never climbed HD ( I agree that we can’t really call it a hike) and have no plans to as I know it’s beyond my ability and comfort level. I am horrified about what has happened here so many times and this is one more instance of it. Perhaps it is time for more foot placements as her father suggests. But given that they were told that a storm was imminent and they went anyway, how could it really have been prevented? Maybe it’s time to start limiting passes further to reduce numbers. And maybe it’s time to limit access to experienced climbers only, rather than hikers. Some of us submit to the stoke factor and take on things we can’t handle. But that potentially limits access freedom. Maybe there’s no real answer to this.
I've been through several sudden storms while hiking ridges in the Sierras. They can be killers no matter how much experience you have. Glacial polish on Half Dm is legendary. Very slippery.
Just looking at the pictures and people climbing up are horrifying . I think half dome should be closed to the publiç for climbing. There are other places people say that are safe to climb in the park take there advice and be more safer.
They can get the numbers down if they removed the steps. That will leave the permits for people who are actual climbers. There are plenty of other rocks to stand on top of for the recreational tourist. There’s no rules that say nature has to be all DEI and dumbed down for everyone. Also, ironically, the more the parks start interfering with nature, the more liable they are if something goes wrong. I work in insurance law, trust me, the best thing they can do is get rid of the steps, poles and permits.
Thanks for posting this video Cris. In the 90's, I enjoyed rock climbing and did a number of rock climbing trips including a (guided) multi-pitch climb in Yosemite. Decided to hike Half Dome with a friend who grew up hiking and had done it several times. We camped at Little Yosemite and so was able to get to the sub-dome early in the morning when there were very few people were on the cables. After my rock-climbing trips, I was shocked that a safety harness wasn't required for the cables. After hiking down to the saddle, my friend asked me how I liked Half Dome -- I burst into tears and said I'd never do that hike again!
Tragic, but as an old school rock climber I've always avoided trails that have high risk but no common sense public safety measures. The permitting system slows the overall volume, but doesn't do anything about skill levels. The cables would be more than enough for a climber, but for the average Joe it only empowers them to do something they might not be capable of without them. When in doubt ask yourself, without the safety guardrail would I have the skill to do this. If the answer is no... don't, you can go get the skills and come back.
@@BrawndoDrinker pretty sure you can't climb up or down that side of Half Dome without the safety guardrail. So your argument doesn't hold any water when it comes to noobs or experienced climbers.
I've done Half Done 3 times and felt the same way, these people around me are going to get me killed. On the last time, someone dropped a camera lens cover and it bounced and slid down the hill, everyone stopped to watch it go probably all thinking the same thing, that could be me...
Visited Yosemite valley with my parents many times, visiting my uncle who was an employee of the Park Service. Later, I worked and lived in the valley for just over 4 years, rock climbing, backpacking, cross country skiing, backcountry skiiing and have been up Half Dome via the cables many times and once via the Snake Dyke route. I never used a harness or swami belt with a runner and carabiner(s) on the cable route. There were no crowds in those days. If I could, now days, I would use a swami belt with two runners and carabiners, most of the time using using one for the most part. If there was a potential storm warning or even a cloud in the sky (especially to the west), I would wait until it passed or abort the mission. The National Park Service does an adequate (possibly even an exemplary job) service, usually erring on the side of safety. What the public does not seem to understand, is that this, despite the crowds, it is NOT a Disneyland! This is some SERIOUS shyte! While YOSAR (Yosemite Search and Rescue) is state of the art, they are hours away. Again, THIS IS NOT DISNEYLAND! If you want safe thrills, there are theme parks.
I saw the news report, and I feel so sad for Grace's father. However, I do not agree with his wanting to "...work with Yosemite..." regarding the issue of making Half Dome "safe. " Plenty of warnings have been issued, and people hike at their own risks. If not Half Dome, they'll try and ride the waterfalls! It's people and their behavior that are dangerous, not the park. We hike at our own risks; we can't blame nature nor Yosemite.
To a degree… I mean we are made to wear seatbelts… Maybe require harness on a government managed asset… Sure go climb a mountain and fall off, but don’t build a ladder and let people fall off. There is some degree of liability there on behalf of the Park.
@@MurCurieux if you require a harness then they should make sure people know how to properly use one. Wrapping rope around your waist and attaching a carabiner is what I saw a lot of when I did HD. That poses it’s on risk not only to you but to others if you don’t know the proper type of harness.
what I dont get is why yosemite hasnt put a railing ???? those wires they set up you have to clip and unclip every couple steps, they should have a railing ontop that they dont have to unclip
I remember when most people thought national parks were a waste of time. Luckily for our family, this meant we got to see Yosemite in pristine condition. The first time I climbed Half Dome at 8 years old with my family, we slept on top of Half Dome (today this is not allowed) and during that week, we only saw 9 other hikers - that whole week! The granite was coarse and no slipping was possible. No one but my brothers and sisters and I were on the ropes/cables that day - so we had the entire rock climb to ourselves. It was the one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I also slept on top of Half Dome when I was 15 years old. That week, we only saw 5 other hikers. Yosemite was so different & much more beautiful back in those days. It is so sad to see thousands of people's tragic effect on this fragile mountain & seeing folks put their lives in danger every day today.
My friends and I always use harness and attach the clips as well. We've had people who slipped before and run into us and I can tell u, forget wat the ranger said. Safety first!
Thank you for making this very important video. I removed this hike from my bucket list months ago after doing my own research. Far too many people have no idea what the Half Dome journey truly entails. You showed details of the surface conditions on HD and touched on the potential of other people's behavior to cause extra danger -- even for those accomplished climbers. I hope others will listen to your sound advice. 🙏🏽 May all those who lost their lives on HD rest in peace.
Good for you for sharing your advice through experience and for the clarity, reality of the hike. Also, reminding others to know what you're doing - Being mindful of Where you're hiking... What you are taking on. Thank you... for saving lives💔🙏🏻
Thank you! For all your hard work and the amazing information. You have never steered me wrong. I always feel well prepared after reading your guides and watching your videos.
I you do want to go up half dome, consider a hike where you get to base of the dome around sunrise. I did it once as a backpacking trip starting around 2:30 AM from Little Yosemite Valley. By doing this you 1) reduce the chances of descending during a thunderstorm (usually afternoons) and 2) you are more likely to encounter fewer crowds. On the sunrise trip the group I was with was the only one on the cables going up and down.
Early birds always get all the fun without the crowds/traffic. Less stress...more calm.😊 Growing up road trips always started before sunrise for us. That early bird mentality/habit really stuck with me.
Thank you I think one of the main threats people don’t realize until they get up there is the risk of Lightning which becomes obvious if you’re up there when bad weather is rolling in. Scrambling down is not a good solution pre planning is!
It certainly can be dangerous, but as an elder who backpacked and hiked until I got hit by arthritis, I will always treasure seeing so much beauty and getting to view wildlife. It is fabulous. Many hikes & backpacks are much safer and can be done by anyone.
Ive been up half dome a good number of times including times when fires broke out. To move safely, i suggest carrying a second pair of shoes just for the half dome cables of the hike. I also recommend NOT hiking up the half dome cables with hiking shoes or trail runners. From my experience, hiking shoes or trail shoes are great for dirt, but not smooth rock. You can go up with rock climbing shoes, heck, even basketball shoes might grip better. My point is, try out a pair of shoes that grip well on a smooth stone. Also lace up your shoes properly, if you can put your shoes on and off just by stepping in or out its probably not going to hold.
I just got back from a trip to Yosemite and climbed half dome on July 11th, 2024. Yes, It was on my bucket list and I had been looking forward to this trip for 6 months. I was blessed with a clear very hot day and I left at 5:30 am to get on the trail. Being 76 years old and hiking alone, and being from flat Texas, it took me 9 hours to get up to the subdome. I took my time saying "One step at a time" and committed to making it to the top knowing I would be hiking back in the dark. The Ranger was already gone by the time I got to subdome. There were only 4 people there and they were getting ready to leave. I've been an amateur rock climber for years so I had my gear in my pack. Although it was great to have the cables all to myself, I was a little worried with no one around to help out if I got in trouble. I put on my harness and my climbing shoes and started up using my via ferrata set. The climb itself was no big deal for me as I've climbed on granite many times. However, I was shocked at how slick it was even with climbing shoes on especially in the steep middle section. There's no way I would let any of my family climb this route without clipping in with protection! Once on top, I saw some clouds on the horizon so I didn't stick around very long plus I knew it would get dark soon. Going down the cables was uneventful as I climbed down backwards staying clipped in as I went. Although I was very worn out hiking back down the trail, I had my headlamp and hiking poles and eventually made it down safely after many hours of hiking. This a beautiful climb and well worth the effort! I would highly recommend that anyone wanting to climb the cables wears a harness and clips into the cables going up and down. This is just basic safety procedure! Climbing shoes would be great if you have them. It's not worth risking getting hurt or killed by climbing the cables unprotected. Good on ya and good luck!
I generally agree with everything you say and whole heartedly second your recommendation to do Clouds Rest, either from Hwy 120 or from Happy Aisles (an even harder hike than Half Dome, in my opinion, if folks are looking for a challenge!) I did Half Dome earlier this summer and I very much underestimated how steep the cable section ones and did not anticipate how unnerving I would find the cable section. The absolute worst part for me was waiting to go up and down because of how many people there were trying to go up and down at the same time. I feel like I had a pretty lucky and overall good experience -- people were incredibly considerate and polite while on the cables and the weather was good. But also, a woman had a seizure while on the cables and at least two people were genuinely freaking out while trying to go up (he ended up turning around) or down (she had to be talked down by the people around her and caused everyone else to have to wait while she gathered her wits.) People are gonna people, including me, and underestimate the hike because it's so popular, because it's a bucket list hike, because it's there. If people are committed to doing it, I agree that clipping in is a great safety tactic -- I would do that if I ever did the hike again (I think I'm good though, once was more than enough.) The granite was so steep and slick enough with good shoes and great weather, I was very aware of how vulnerable I was, sitting on the side of a granite cliff face, waiting to ascend and descend. The other way I would suggest to mitigate risk is to better time your hike so the cables are not as crowded when you are trying to go up or down. Peak traffic on the cables seems to be exactly when those summer Sierra storms gather. I was fortunate and we were off the cables by the time we heard the crack of thunder signaling an afternoon storm. These storms can gather quickly and without enough warning to get off the cable section, given all the people trying to go up and down.
Yes, peak traffic at afternoon thunderstorm time is potential disaster! The thunderstorms build so rapidly you can actually stand on top of HD and watch a thunderhead grow...been there, done that, and had the sense to get the heck off the Dome! But that was back in the 1980's when there were vastly less people on the cables. Back then, you might have to wait one minute to start up or down the cables. Now the lines look like the ones on Mt. Everest...
Thankful I came across your site, I know my limits and I won’t be doing any hike like this. Will finally be going to Yosemite this coming fall (bucket list) I suffer from fear of heights and vertigo, so I will happily be at the bottom enjoying the this awesome mountain . 😊
I have done Half Dome a couple of times. Going up the cables was no problem. Going down the cables facing forward put my ankles at extreme angles and easy to slip. Almost like extending your legs and pointing your toes. I then turned myself around and went down backwards. I could look down between my legs and see who was coming up and it did not put my ankles at extreme angles. I could also look up and see other people who were above me coming down. If I would have been facing forward going down it would be harder to see who was above me. It worked well for me both times and I had no problem slipping.
I absolutely love half dome trail, I think it’s my favorite in the park, has two stunning waterfalls in the first third, river and forest for the second third, and sub dome and dome for the last but the best. Plus you could dip your feet at the top of the second fall, what a perfect ending! Clouds rest is a lot more boring for me, for the most part you don’t have good view but climb up and down in the woods, the view at the end is great though, but not as close to half dome as I would imagine. Before you attempt half dome, remember: 1) only go when it’s sunny in the weather forecast. 2) you might lose your foot grip for a little bit at one point on the cable (I did), but with gloves and strong hold, I don’t think anyone should have a problem. Go to a climbing gym and feel how your arms are gonna work with your legs to propel you up. Also it helps to build your upper body strength and endurance which is important when there is traffic on the cable and you will have to hang in there for a while. I used cables on both sides to going up, which I thought might be easier to stay balanced if my footing lose balance or grip. 3) when I went up, I heard a lot of people talking about how hard the going down might be, but it turned out just fine, even easy for me. What I did was facing the uphill, use cables on both sides, use your own weight combined with your grip (tight vs loose) on the cables to keep going down in a comfortable and consistent pace for yourself. With both hands on cables, and working in favor of gravity, I felt effortless that way, except when people coming up, I had to stop and switched to pass through mode (both hands on one cable, and lean sideways to make space) . For me, dry weather, coordinated climbing movements, and a pair of gloves are the most important things.
I'm so sad for this girl and her father. I agree with you about half dome. I claimed it twice when I was in my early twenties and working there. My first time hiking it with three girlfriends, a storm started brewing while we were up there. Thankfully we got down before any rain or lightning happened. (Although we got soaked during our hike down but thankfully we are off to the rocks by then.) It kind of sketched me out a little at the time, but now that I'm older I have no desire to ever hike there again. During my time working in the park, there was also a man that took a fall and died. It just doesn't feel worth it and the weather up there is too unpredictable.
My daughter works in Yosemite valley. The day of the incident it was raining. The rescue helicopter was even grounded because of hail. There’s a metal plaque at the bottom of the cables warning hikers not to go up if there are clouds on the horizon. I saw the plaque in your video.This unfortunately is a choices and consequences situation. Bad choices led to horrible consequences.
I saw that news too - as you described it, it’s hard to imagine how it must have felt for her and her dad. :-( I went up Half Dome once (just before the permit system was put in place). That was enough for me. I went up Clouds Rest once and started up that ramp at the top. I had to move to the side to make way for oncoming traffic, and the footing was sketchy with loose gravel. I looked to the valley side with the 4-5,000’ drop and I turned around. I want to go back and try it someday, ideally on a day when there are few people, and maybe I’ll convince myself to finish it. I was in Yosemite today and intended to go to May Lake and up Mt. Hoffman. I got to the trailhead and there were dark clouds and thunder all around me. I aborted before even starting. Safety first.
I truly love your channel because you never recommend hazardous hikes! I know that if you've got a guide it's not going to be dangerous and will be fun and doable! Loved your video on Mt. Mitchell - as that's been on our list for years.
The sierra can turn on you in a flash. I have summitted Half Dome twice. The first time, going up the cables was really scary. The second time was still pretty crazy. The view from the top was spectacular with no thunderstorms (both times), I can't imagine going down the cables when the granite was wet.
Great video! I feel the same way about Angel's Landing. It's doable, but getting around people of various abilities and stages of freakout makes it too difficult to assess and mitigate risk. Especially like with these folks, who were fast and strong, but got stuck behind slower, more tentative folks as an intense storm swept in. I know the recommendation is to get down if a storm is coming in, but if there is a crowd, it might be better to get low and wait it out on the top. That granite is slippery enough when it's dry.
There are many ways to reduce your risk climbing Half Dome and you can enjoy the climb. If there is even a remote hint of adverse weather on your permit day morning, don't attempt the hike. Have the right gear and know how to use it. INHO, the boots that take you to the base of the sub-dome are not the boots you want on the granite, especially if there is even the slightest precipitation. Via ferrata gear, harness, gloves and helmet? Absolutely yes. None of the gear will prevent you from falling but it will prevent you from falling off the dome to your death. Weekdays seem to have a smaller crowd. Arrive as early as practicable in the morning at the base of the sub-dome and proceed when you have sufficient light.
Good recommendation. I took this off my list years ago, after reading about the crowds. It's not as bad as being stuck in traffic on the Hillary Step, but the same principle applies. My family and I never have done Clouds Rest: I think it's time we did.
Very tragic accident. I did the hike this past May at age 70 with the cables down using a harness and two prusik loops. It’s fairly bombproof if you know what you are doing and I think much safer than joining the conga line with the cables up. There were many fewer people and it seemed to be a self selected group who knew what they were doing. But it is a lot of work lifting the cable and pulling yourself up.
I've been down the cable route but never went up it. We climbed the regular route topped out at sunset and went down the cable route at night . The cables were down. After we got down the moon was up and I could see what we came down it looked as scary as Thank God Ledge. I would not go up or down it with 60 plus people in front or behind me too many variables that depend on complete strangers skills if you live or die.
Harnesses should be required on half dome. If they have a problem with crowding they should give out less permits. This problem could be solved very easily
if you use only one clip, then you keep it in front of your hand, which is holding on the cable, pushing the clip forward in a naturally walking way. its a lot faster and pretty common "trick". you dont' have to turn around and grab behind your back...
Granite will wear and smooth out over time, as people walk on it and touch it, so I have to think that decades of being heavily trafficked has worn the granite path between the cables. This greatly increases the risk, especially when the granite is wet. Even with the permit system in place, there are way too many people on those cables.
I did Half Dome in the mid 1990s on a July 4 weekend as a day hike and last year as day 2 of a JMT thruhike. There are far fewer ill prepared people with the permit system on the trail. That said, my boot slipped on the way up last year. I attributed it to the boots having not enough tread but the boots saw me through the remaining 200 + miles of the JMT. I followed 2 guys who were using via ferrata sets and they were slower than me. That said, they, not I made the right choice. If I ever do it again, I will use the 2 clip via ferrata set. You will still fall a long way to the next pole but that is obviously better than falling without being attached. Your use of a single carabiner is not too bad as you are standing on wood when you need to unclip. If someone is going to do this, get the via ferrata. If you think you don’t want to spend the money for a one time hike, you can probably sell it after you get off the cables to the nervous folks on subdome mulling whether to continue up the cables. RIP young lady.
THAT VIA FERRATA IS BS, THAT'S NYLON, A 200LB MAN CAN EASILY SNAP THE NYLON IF HE SLIPS, IF IT'S NOT A CABLE SECURITY SYSTEM ATTACHED TO YOU, IT'S STILL NOT SAFE, SPECIALLY WHAT HE WAS DOING, USING JUST ONE NYLON STRAP INSTEAD OF TWO.
For people's information, a high quality via ferrata set (climbing harness plus safety lanyard plus gloves) will probably cost about $260 plus tax and shipping. I went up Half Dome three times with no safety equipment but that was back in the days when few people did the cables and the granite was not so polished. If I went up again now, I would absolutely spend the money for top-quality via ferrata equipment.
So true! I did it in 2020 and my first thought was what happens is someone above me falls? This hike should be limited to people with harnesses. Too many people get there are realize how steep it is and how slippery the granite is. I was behind a family going up and the young daughter maybe 10-12 started to panic because her feet were slipping. Got stuck behind them for half an hour. With the permit system now people feel compelled to do the hike . NPS should rethink this trail.
or just rethink the permit system , its not needed. how is someone supposed to plan all this out and also get the permits lot easier said then done, also the NPS system has done a ton. its the people who visit who are dumb and weak who die and thats just the way it goes
@@bobduncan-ix7shagreed, just require harnesses or age cap the hike to over 15 or something, get these families and improperly trained or athletic tourists off dangerous hikes. Having a soft monetary barrier would definitely prevent some traffic as wasting money on a one time purchase would cross out a lot of regular joes.
@@Grumbobleopposite of what im trying to convey. i shouldn’t have to pay multiple fees to go on a hike thats crazy. and its not a super daunting task to hike half dome not really something that requires training beforehand
I climbed the dome in 2001 and what made it hard for people was the fact they didn't bring enough water and were suffering heat stroke and still determined to top the dome and passed out on the cables. Too many rookies.
Hiked HD in 2010, pretty crowded, especially way down. My friend was an experienced climber and set us up with just simple harness and carabiners - no spring rope, just tethers - not ideal because if you fall, you're going to get yanked hard, but at least you won't lose control. Nice having the extra security, as on the way down, we had to go outside the cables to let people through going up, it was so crowded - being clipped in was the only way I would have done that - not a great experience. In 2016, my 16yo daughter and I went in Oct - got a permit, but the weather is a definite risk. We got to the cables and people were coming down saying it was snowing up top. My daughter was *very* disappointed when I said we weren't going up, but I just couldn't risk it - there was a stack up on the cables with no one moving. Even with the same harness setup, I didn't feel good. I think *every* (or 99%?) fall has been wet granite on HD. Summer 23, my two daughters went with friends and I bought both daughters via feratta kits - best decision. They had great weather, summited no problem, and felt secure doing it. I feel that the best solution would be to add a wire *above* the pole wire and just shoot straight up/down w/o clipping in/out slowing the line. That way, the park could require via feratta for everyone.
In my opinion, you need poles on the cable you clip onto, to stop your fall within 10 feet or so. Having a "safety cable" with no "brakes" (poles) on it wouldn't improve safety much.
In Germany this would be called a via ferrata. Nobody should actually go up there without the appropriate via ferrata harness. If someone slips, they could take others with them. They have no good Equipment at all. No Hiking Shoes or something else.
Longs Peak in Colorado has that same granite polishing in full effect. You can have approach shoes on and still slip because the heavy traffic over the years makes the rock smooth. Cant imagine water thrown into the equation too. RIP.
I really appreciate your channel in that it’s for the hiker that’s in everyone. I am much more adventurous than my wife and she wouldn’t do nearly the stuff that I’d like to but I know that the stuff that’s on your channel and that you recommend is good to go. So thank you for that.
I've done the hike 6 times and watched many people walk outside the cables... I've done it when traffic was bad... but I've never seen an accident on the cables. However, the last time I went, I was about 90% of the way down the cables and this girl (16ish?) was bawling her eyes out and scared to death going up. Fortunately, it was not very crowded but that probably was not a very good idea. Being that terrified is probably not very safe and I bet it was 10 times worse for her coming down. Side note, the first time up as we were returning back to camp, a father or 1 or 2 young kids decided to cool off in the river and went over Nevada Fall. We missed all the commotion but people we're still talking about it. Apparently a helicopter was brought in to retrieve or find him. Very sad. Don't play in the water!
Yea the outside is way less slick, and while freaky, offers better footing. I've seen climbers who came up the face casually walking down with all their rope on the outside.
I just got back from half dome. Two things I know now that I wish I knew before: 1. Clipping on is a lot smarter than not. The ranger at the base of sub-dome on our day didn't discourage a harness, and I wish I had taken a harness. 2. My new (broken in, about a month old, maybe 100km in them) hiking shoes were too stiff in the sole. I thought the tread on a hiking shoe would be beneficial, but hiking shoes are stiff to protect your feet from rocks. The stiffness prevents good grip. I would try to rent climbing shoes, and failing that, would go with a softer rubber like a court shoe for better grip.
The report had me look into hike and found your video. Thanks for the video. I cant imaine watching my daughter slide and scream in panic as she goes off the edge. The feeling as a father and the feeling of the daughter whos last thoughts of nothing but fear and disbelief. Im no hiker but i do a lot of rope rescue and i agree 100% that you should have a secondary device while on this hike. The favt they say well it slows you down is wild.
I walked up to Nevada Fall last year. Maybe started around 7 or 8am. The water was crazy from the record snow pack, soaking the Mist Trail and everyone on it. I didn't have my contacts in, but was wearing glasses, and they provided limited visibility up to Vernal Fall, from the vertical water droplets hitting you, like you're in a storm. The crowds were crazy. Kids in flip flops with no hiking packs just running around like crazy. The steep section right before you get to the top of Vernal Fall was super sketchy with the wet granite and the crowds. JMT was closed so had to walk back down that way too! The granite switchbacks at Nevada Fall were also a bit sketchy as there was a stream going down them in one area. To me that felt a little uneasy. I can't imagine what Half Dome or Sub Dome would be like.
Thank you for this. I totally agree with you. Do the other hike instead. Full agree. Why risk death? I too feel bad for the family that lost the daughter. My heart breaks.
I first hiked Half Dome when I worked a summer job in Curry Village decades ago. Apparently the granite is now slicker than it was in years past..bummer. Even mildly wet granite is very dangerous. I've done it probably 4 times since 1980. I don't find the cables all that frightening but having another person freeze up mid route is a problem. In the past my friends and I would simply duck under to the outside of the cables while maintaining a firm grip and go around any halted person. No..I don't recommend this practice to anyone. That said, standing still for a period of time on the steepest part of that ascent is tiring and fatigue inducing. It's an exhausting hike overall and introducing more muscle fatigue may cause your return down to the valley floor to be less than pleasant. It bears mentioning that the poles are not hard anchored into the granite. Im not including this to frighten anyone, people should have as much info as is available so they can be aware and prepare. Hiking Half Dome is a grand adventure, a Sierra Classic but it's not for everyone. Be safe.
As a parent of a son who’s the same age, I’m very saddened at what happened. I have never heard of this ‘hike’ before. When I saw the video of the actual method to ascend and descend I was shocked. I rock climb outdoors so am not averse to risk or challenging rock activity but there is no way I’d participate in that climb without a harness and being clipped in. Tbh I’m surprised more people haven’t died.
Nice video - appreciate the insight and opinions. I've hiked half dome multiple times since the mid-1970's, the last time was 2012. Hope to go again next September. I think there are several ways to mitigate some of the risks. For example, avoid the crowds - spend a nite in Little Yosemite Valley, then depart early (2-3am) so that you are already up the cables for a beautiful sunrise and cup of coffee. There are multiple trailheads to begin the hike from other than Happy Isles, so instead of trying to make the half dome hike an absolutely brutal "day hike" from the valley floor via Happy Isles trailhead, consider making it a 2 or 3 day short backpack trip. Even if you still start from Happy Isles, spend the nite at Little Yosemite Valley and do the Half Dome part the next morning. Be obsessively mindful of the weather - in my experience, rain/thunder/lightning are more common in the mid-to-late afternoon, so plan around those times - go early in the morning. And just be a good human - I've seen rude and unsafe behavior on the trail and even on the cables and this puts everyone at greater risk. Be patient, be kind, watch out for your fellow hikers of all abilities - rising tide floats all boats.
I used to do technical climbing in my 20s and in my 30s. I never got to Yosemite. I’m from Colorado. Most of my climbing was done there. However, if I would’ve ever made it up to Yosemite, and did half dome, I most definitely would’ve clipped in like you were suggesting. Because if you do it correctly, it shouldn’t slow you down that much. And that just goes back to if people don’t know what they’re doing. They have no business on that rock. It is not a hike. In my opinion, the cable should come down and only technical climbers the climate. 🤷♀️ but I agree with you 100% with what you’re saying this video. And a lot of people argue it, and saying that that’s not a good idea. I’m also glad that you’re recommending people to not do it. As I said earlier in the comment people that aren’t technical rock climbers have no business being on that mountain.
Clouds Rest for the win! I've never gone up Half Dome -- to me that's not a *hike*. That section with the cables is technical and probably lulls casual day hikers into a false sense of security.
Which is why they should pull the poles and steps out. As a former lifeguard, my beaches refused to put a float in the deep end. All those deep end floats do is entice poor swimmers to go over their head and get into trouble. I’ve seen beaches with floats that are constantly having to call people back in. We never had that problem. Same here. The more humans try to make nature easier for people, the more you’ll attract people who are unfit for such endeavors. Leave nature as it was intended.
Done it this May and agree with a very slippery granite. I think thus part of the hike should definitely be done on the harness. The hike itself is incredibly beautiful but also hard, so by the time most people reach the cables they are already exhausted. I would still recommend doing it, but again, definitely using a harness.
My deepest condolences to the family. We used clips with a harness even though that wasn’t the recommendation. Yes, it took longer but I felt that it provided some additional safety and it gave me something to focus on rather than freaking out about the height! We also camped at the halfway point the night before and were some of the first people on the cables early the next morning. It was also a crystal clear day. I told everyone in our group that if it was cloudy or even a hit of rain / storms that I would not be going up the cables. When we came down it was very crowded and I was thankful we hadn’t been in that situation on the way up.
Hiking guy I just found your channel and as a FL Trail hiker and live in South GA on the FL line literally. I am an off season ranger and love finding new channels I can listen to while doing night rounds 😊 Ever wanna know some spots in North Florida on the Suwannee i'd love to recommend some hikes for ya if ever in the area! Take care!
I thought common sense was dead, and then I saw this video. Honestly, it's a breath of fresh air. Many people are just hiking Half Dome and Angels Landing for their ego's sake. Who wants to spend time in the wilderness in a crowd of hundreds of people like they're at the local Costco on a Sunday afternoon. That's not relaxing. That doesn't recharge your batteries. It just stokes your ego, and it's not really even that hard. It's too many people in the same place in nature, taking something that maybe once, decades ago, was a special experience and turning it into an amusement park. Yeah, no thanks!
Did it last summer with a $80 Via ferrata kit, hiking shoes, and basic nitrile gloves for grip. No way I’d do it without that setup. It was plenty fast. It was also insane to watch all the kids and out of shape adults in tennis shoes with no harness. Accidents are not surprising.
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What has your experience on Half Dome been? Please share, good or bad, so that others know what to expect.
And I know some folks are saying "I've done it and it was fine," and that's how it's been for me the majority of times too. But I have gotten feedback from many of you who used the guides and said it was pretty scary, or even that they got there and said "no way." I've never heard feedback that the cables were "a relaxing and calm experience."
This video (the end) is a good watch in terms of what's possible on a day where no one dies but it's still intense: ruclips.net/video/1NocJIl-otE/видео.html
No not a clip that still very unsfafe what happen if cable snaps or the rock crack? Need proper advance climbing gear. And I think anchor need to put in near the side of the wall for safety precaution.
You don't see proffessional climber falling on their climb, it happen but very rare. Cause proper gear is used as well as extensive training.
@@Sherlock245 Its a 1/2 inch wound steel cable - its not going to "snap". And the rock won't "crack", and if it does, if you are clipped on to the cable you won't go anywhere. You sound like a keyboard warrior, Monday evening quarter-backing from your sofa, and never been on the trail.
I've done this hike once, but afterward I decided I would only do it again wearing a safety harness and clip. That would solve 95% of their problems. It should be a requirement before getting a permit. If people choose not to wear it when they reach the cables, that is their problem.
@@aliensoup2420 I disagree with just a clip and it should be regulated cause Anither death is waiting to happen. 😢
@Sherlock245 Absurd.
I first climbed the cables back in 1971 when I was 12 years old. I did not use gloves and I did not have grippy shoes. No permit was required, there were very few people going up/down, and my friend and I just walked right up to the base and ascended the cables to the summit. Took maybe 15 minutes to ascend/descend. I don't recall having any traction problems, and I think I wore a pair of Jack Purcel tennis shoes that had no tread whatsoever ;-). Fast forward to August 2019 and my experience was dangerously different...
In August of 2019, a hiking group I belong to had permits and invited me to join them. I hadn't climbed the cables since my one and only time in 1971, and eagerly looked forward to re-living that experience. When I reached the top of the sub-dome, the first thing that struck me was how steep that granite face was. I didn't have any memories of it being so intimidatingly steep. The second thing I noticed was the number of people ascending and descending the cables simultaneously. Being a seasoned hiker/climber and very safety conscious, I thought this was a recipe for disaster. Nevertheless, I decided to wait for a lull in the traffic and jumped in when I thought the risk would be slightly lower.
The next thing that struck me was how slick the granite had become. It was as if it had been polished. And I wore very grippy hiking shoes. I realized that it was going to require more arm strength than I had expected.
I made my way up and caught up to the back of the conga line in little time, and waited. And waited. A few people further up the line had become paralyzed with fear, so it took a while for them to finally make it to the top. It took me 45 minutes to ascend.
My experience descending the cables was the same. A few people further in front froze with fear, and it took 45 minutes to complete the descent. Fortunately, we had clear skies and a slight breeze, so I didn't mind waiting there on my 2x4 taking in the spectacular views while the folks in front sorted themselves out. I did notice a couple of 20-somethings making their way up along the outside of the cables, gripping the cables while hooking a gallon container of water around a couple of their fingers. Just great. Another opportunity for a knucklehead to cause serious injury to someone if they lose their grip on the water container.
I completed the descent, let out a sigh of relief, moved well away from the base of the cables, and waited for a few friends to descend. As I waited, I heard a loud, metallic clanging, and spotted a metal water bottle bouncing down the face from about midway up the line. Fortunately, it bounced away from the line to the left and nobody was in it's fall line. Again, another opportunity for disaster. I told myself I would never do Half Dome again and that I would advise others to avoid it.
As I sat there, I thought how in the world could the park allow people to still do this climb? When I ran into the ranger at the base of the sub-dome, I asked him this. He said the cables were grandfathered in since they were put in place before the Wilderness Act of 1964, and there wasn't anything they could do about it, except to limit the number of people that can access it via the permit lottery. He told me they had no authority to stop anyone from climbing Half Dome, other than the permit, even if weather conditions make it dangerous. He told me of the most recent death the previous year, when a hiker ignored their warnings that the rock was still slick from a rain storm the previous night, and the hiker slipped and fell to his death. We talked about the deaths that have occurred there over the years, and I told him I was amazed the number wasn't higher given the volume of people doing it. About two weeks after my trip, hiker Danielle Burnett slipped and fell to her death.
On that same trip, I hiked to Clouds Rest for the first time a few days later, and was blown away by the quality of the hike, the mind-blowing views, and the far lower risk. I now advise my fellow hikers to skip the Half Dome insanity and hike to Clouds Rest.
I apologize for the long-winded post, but this Half Dome craziness really hits a nerve with me. I am 100% on the same page as you, Chris. Keep up the great work.
Question, if the cables are grandfather in, why don’t they just leave them the way they were then? The way they are in the Fall-Spring. Why do they put up poles and steps? Seems the park is actually helping the Jerrys instead of deterring them.
@@23JMRH good question. I didn't ask the ranger about that. I assume that full access via the cables was grandfathered in, so they are obligated to install the vertical rods/posts every spring. It will take more fatalities and serious injuries to get them to change their policy.
@@WilliamDwyer-x2n I don't see how they'd be obligated to keep the poles and cables in place. There's no way it's illegal for the park to remove them. Not being able to prevent people from climbing it is one thing, I'm not buying that they have to provide the cable system.
@@trevorpullen3199 I thought it was a weak answer, too. I thought his claim that they can't stop anyone from climbing the cables as long as they had a permit no matter what the conditions are was weak, too. But when you think about it, you have climbers scaling vertical walls all over Yosemite Valley, exposing themselves to even more dangerous conditions (think Alex Honnold), and the park can't stop them. I'm guessing the park service are firm believers in Darwinism. 🙂
@@WilliamDwyer-x2nOMG Darwinism!! Are you well?
My son and I did an incredible guided 6 day Yosemite backpacking trip a couple of years ago that culminated with Half Dome. He was 14 at the time and was a complete stud during all the hikes up and down some serious trails. When we got to the top of Sub Dome and we saw the cables he said, “Dad please don’t make me do that.” So we hung out on Sub Dome while the rest of our group went up the cables. Absolutely the right decision. To me that crosses the threshold between ‘hiking’ and ‘climbing’.
That’s a pretty good laymen’s description of a Via Ferrata.
Thank you for listening to your kid
@@dongill9186 more people need to read this. The parents forcing their kids up any of the hikes takes the fun and safety out of everything.
I have a 2 year old son who I am really starting to introduce to the outdoors, and I just so happen to have plans for Half Dome in a couple of months with a group of guys I fully trust on any trail or summit we attempt. That being said, I love my boy to no end, and I fought back a tear reading your comment because I just imagined if it were him saying that and I could fully visualize it. There's no way I could let him do it. Props Dad and props to your son for acknowledging his limits. 🙏🏻
And good on him for not being stupid-brave just to save face.
My wife and I did the cables last summer, as it was on her bucket list. I've been rock climbing for years on granite, so I zipped up and down without any issue (in Altras). Assessing the risk, I was mostly nervous that someone was going to slip and fall into me. People aren't wear climbing/approach shoes that are meant to stick to rock. Your Hoka/Altra trail runners are not great footwear to climb a slab, especially one that has been polished by thousands of visitors (as mentioned in the video). Moreover, not many people have enough upper body strength to cling to the cables if they were to slip anyway. Add a little water and it's a slip n slide of death...
I was confused why via ferratas were discouraged, but I assume the thought is that it would encourage even lesser fit people to do the cables, making falls more common and knocking off people below (the pole-to-pole distance is far at times).
I met one guy who who was very hesitant to go up the cables and sat at the bottom for an hour and half, trying to psych himself up to ascend the cables. The hike alone had nearly killed him and he wasn't a very active person. I told him that summitting Half Dome was underwhelming (which it was) and that he didn't need to go to the top to have a great life experience. He turned around and went down a happy person.
@@mls01981 I love this
Amen, well said. The last time I hiked Half Dome was 15 years ago. Someone talked a woman into "hiking" the cable section, she a few people in front of me. About halfway up she seemed to have had an epileptic attack and started grabbing people around her, screaming "I am going to fall, I don't want to die", she was scared out of her wits. People very quickly back away from her, for fear of being knocked loose from the cables. She would NOT allow anyone to pass her, either coming up or going down. After several hours SAR teams or ranger climbed up to her and forcibly placed a harness on her, there was at least two or three rangers above her and two or three below her as they are forcibly and very safely, very controlled pulling her back down off the cables before she killed herself or others.
There is no shame in healthy fear and preservation of one's safety and life. No one should ever have to talk you into climbing THE CABLES or THE 99 SWITCH BACKS, and no one ever should shame you into it, same goes for sky diving or cliff jumping. Each time I've climbed the cables, I was asking myself "why", they are super frightening, one slip and you and perhaps others may die. Don't talk anyone into doing anything they do NOT want to do.
Decide to live another day.
That is really an unbelievable story!! It never occurred to me a situation like you describe could take place. Perhaps a severe panic attack but thrashing around and grabbing people, HELL NO! Not the place to be doing that! Not to mention it takes hours to even get to the cables, and all the people stuck up there, not cool. Shows you what complete terror can look like. People obviously didn’t want to take the risk of going around her on one cable even on the outside. We did Half Dome three times, the second time as a group of seventeen people (spending the night on top). Most of us were already at the top when we learned one of our group completely froze at the steepest point. She couldn’t go up or down. Her husband had to just keep talking to her for about twenty plus minutes before she finally got ahold of her fear and got to the top. I don’t recall any mention now about whether anyone had to pass her going down. I 100% agree with you, no one should ever be pressured to do something when they are this terrified. That said, you don’t always know you are going to freak out until you are already in it. The mind is a strange place to be, lol. Glad they were able to get this woman down, sorry it ruined your hike!!
that would be a panic attack, not an epileptic attack.
@@barnowlwatcher this is making my hands and feet sweat just reading this. Not for me
100%, that's true of anything. I was hiking with somebody about 15 years ago and stupidly let him talk me into continuing into a dangerous situation when I had reservations. Guess who I haven't hiked with since? Ever since that, I do NOT discuss a safety decision in-committee. If I decide to turn back because I don't think it's safe, that's it, done. Sticking with that decision has saved me major injury and possibly my life at least once. If somebody tries to browbeat me, I'll tell them, "Go ahead if you want, I'll see you at the car," or, "I'll wait at point XYZ for you." Also, I won't hike with that person again. It is incredibly disrespectful to break out the "Come on, don't be a wuss" stuff. Everybody has to do their own hike and if they decide that their hike isn't working out and want to turn back, respect that decision. Anything else is being a crappy friend/hike-buddy. Don't do it.
@@barnowlwatcher
No doubt, that is wild!
i knew it, fricking knew it. as an alpinist, i read about that case 30 minutes ago and was like really, they do a "klettersteg" that steep with not carabiners? WHY? this is no longer hiking, this is mountaineering. even if it is "the lightes possible kind" the risk of death is very real.
You're exactly right, it's not just your skill level but you're dependent on the people around you. While ascending, I'd be more afraid of someone ahead of me slipping, falling and knocking me down, instead of the ascent itself.
@@btcpyr Agreed!!
Yeah, that's what the person behind you is thinking!
As you stated, other's skill levels can affect everyone on the climb. When the young lady fell and slid, as horrible as her death was, she could have taken out people below her. I used to hike a lot. "Climb", never. Once on a very long hike to our destination, the next day took a trail to another day "hike" site. Great hike until the final part which was climbing down an exposed "ladder" to the bottom. Heck no. I didn't do the final part. Waited above for two of our party to do it. If I slipped, I would have died.
Wow, for sure
I was a guide in Yosemite and have hiked halfdome countless times. The mountains are dangerous and nothing will ever change that. That said, I would advise people to do clouds rest instead. It's higher elevation with arguably a better view and other benefits.
I loved that hike especially that there wasn't many people at all but that was 30 years ago.
Just did Half Dome on 7/3. As a first timer, I used a via ferrata and mostly kept one clipped in the whole time. The whole thing is pretty steep but the middle section of it is quite steep and slippery. I had confidence because of the clip. However, as I was coming down someone dropped a water bottle that went past me and a couple people going up were slipping because they had running shoes on and not good hiking shoes. So, even if you feel safe and have experience, use the via ferrata because you can still be impacted by those around you. I loved it and may consider doing it again but not without safety equipment.
You said it yourself, it's statistically more dangerous to drive to Yosemite than it is to climb Half Dome. Although anything keeping the crowds down is okay with me. I do recommend the Clouds Rest hike. Less crowds and an arguably better view. Making it a one way hike starting at Tenaya lake ending in the Valley is a better option than starting in the valley. It is a lot easier.
You're exactly right, it's not just your skill level, but you're dependent on the skill level of those around you. I'd be more afraid of someone around me falling and knocking me down, instead of the ascent itself.
People speak of things being “on their bucket list” - this means doing things before they kick the bucket (die). Re-examine those things to make sure they don’t contribute to your kicking the bucket prematurely and unnecessarily.
A bucket list is not supposed to be a list of ways to kick the bucket.
@@watchersmith806 Agreed! I recently visited Yellowstone NP and had this very same conversation with a few family members who didn’t seem ton connect “bucket list” with dying/death. 😂
I’m not familiar with the origins of “kick the bucket”, but at least I know what it means and, therefore, I never use the phrase.
@@Aceboogie2911I think the most widespread origin of the phrase refers to the bucket being kicked from beneath someone who is hanging, which just adds to it.
@@reefreptile 😳
Completly agree. The first time I saw the cable section I was shocked that they even considered it a "hike", because it's not. It's a sheer face mountain climb basically. Insane they don't recommend harnesses because of the time, it's so dangerous. This girl would've been alive with a harness. 😢 Her poor father.
FFS, how many people have to say it. If they require harnesses and keep dumbing down this “hike”, they will just get more Jerrys and it will slow it down a lot putting more people in danger of getting caught in a storm. How about this, if you need a harness, turn the F around. No one cares about your bucket list, trust me. No one gives a shit.
I mean seriously, they are basically saying don't use safetly equippment that will prevent certain death should you slip down the side. Insane!
@@Olivaro10 exactly! That's so wild, I've never heard rangers saying anything like that
To be fair , it IS a hike until you get to that point.
yeah it's insane to me that harnesses are not just not required but actually discourages. advising people who don't know any better to compromise safety in the name of speed is beyond irresponsible imo.
Park Service should install a 3rd cable, then one row is for up, the other is for down.
Yes! I've been saying this for years.
A few more sacrifices must be made first..
Park Service should REMOVE all cables and require a mountain climbing permit to climb where the cables were, just as if they were climbing the face of Hald Dome, El Capitan or any other cliff face. If Joe or Jane Smith the "Hikers" cannot reasonably and safely ascend any trail, let alone 45 to 55 degree smooth granite with good grippy shoes and hiking poles, it's no longer hiking, it's mountain climbing
@@CAHOBBES yep
@@gregoryfarris4801 the thing is why do they have to make it safer? You hike at your own risk!
I have done some tough hikes and never wanted to do Half Dome. Not from the cables or steepness but the crowds and lines. It’s such a turn off. Plenty of great hikes with fantastic views that don’t require waiting in line or dealing with issues like you described.
I do too! Yosemite has been in my bucket list for quite some time, but Half Dome does not interest me.. The views in the surrounding areas are great too (Taft Point & Glacier Point).
But I can see why people interested in hiking it, it's like for the sense of achievement (conquering the peak), which okay I guess. But that's not what I'm looking for when hiking, haha
@@callasky 100%.
i just went to yosemite a week from today and maybe saw a total of less than 30 people at half dome
@@callaskythat doesn’t make any sense 😂
@@callasky The Four Mile trail from the Valley floor to Glacier Point is great.
This is a very important message well said. Much respect.
subscribing because content creators that genuinely put the safety of their audience over a quick click should always be recognized. thank you for being responsible with your platform and keeping everyone safe !
Thank you, appreciate that. I have a few hundred trail guides up and always put safety at the top of the priority list, realizing that folks could get in real trouble if my info is bad. I want people to enjoy the outdoors and be safe. 👍🏻
My coworker saw 3 people go over the falls- 2 hopped the barrier to take a self and 1 slipped and pulled the guy down with her. A bystander ran over and jumped in the water to try and save them, and the current was so strong all 3 went over the falls. Never take for granted Yosemite.
Yes, when I lived in the valley, 1980 to 1984, a friend witnessed 2 people going over Vernal falls. I'll never forget her description: "He looked so tired" and resigned to his destiny. A safety rope, in those days, was stolen. I can't imagine that imagery ever leaving my nightmares. Thankfully, in my younger years, I got to see the "Firefalls" off of Glacer point on numerous occasions.
Absolutely when when you go to Yosemite National Park you play by its rules
yeah, never go hiking or climbing on social media spots waiting in line. we know this from mt everest, it's happening on every spot being popular. it's even like a magnet to unexpierenced people. being athletic and fit is one thing, it doesn't provide you with skill in the mountains, its just a baseline you need... we see a high increase of accidents in the alpes due to that. it's a problem.
@@cdcd1607 I feel sorry for your coworker and the person who tried to save them. I simply don’t understand the importance people place on getting the selfie. The minute they climbed over a barrier they showed their stupidity and arrogance that park rules and barriers don’t apply to them. Yeah, how did that work out? Wonder what those last thoughts were as they were plunging to their death? The real tragedy here is someone lost their life trying to save theirs. I will change your last line to read, “Never take your life for granted and use your brain!”
Terrible - I remember either that or essentially the same happening right before or after I hiked Half Dome once. Felt worst for the bystander who tried to help and ended up needlessly dying along with them. It's hard to hear stories where being a good Samaritan is the wrong choice, but helpful to get a sense of where that line is. Tragic all the way around.
I’ve hiked Half Dome. A one and done hike for me! No regrets. It was pretty nuts looking up the cables and even nuttier going down!
yeah I did it 30 years ago and don't need to do it again. I'd consider just going to the base though as it is a nice hike to get to that point
I've done half dome a couple times, most recently last year. While the crowds are not nearly what they were before the permit system was put in place in 2010, they're still pretty bad. When I went up last year, it took over an hour to get up due to traffic - particularly people who maybe shouldn't be there, who are terrified, and are very slowly making their way up using some kind of harness arrangement. My descent was better, but still took more than a half hour - again, due to traffic. The rock IS VERY SLIPPERY, even when dry, even with good shoes. Gloves are required unless you have very tough hands, as is good climbing technique. Going up, face up the hill and go hand over hand on ONE cable. DO NOT have one hand on one cable and the other hand on the other cable! Going down, do the reverse: face uphill and go hand over hand on ONE cable. There are numerous places on the cables where one can "safely" rest.
I encourage people to go up Clouds Rest instead nearly every time I'm in the park. I'd go so far as to say that Clouds Rest from the valley is actually an easier (albeit longer, higher) hike than Half Dome, due to the difficulty and danger of sub-dome and the cables. Clouds Rest from Tenaya Lake is an excellent hike. While "The Spine" is unnerving to many, it's really not dangerous. No one has EVER fallen off the Cloud Rest spine & died (last I knew, anyway). Plus, when you summit Clouds Rest you can look down on the people on Half Dome, 1000 feet below you :)
@@carldaniel6510
hello im a rock climber for 7 years & i would acknowledge this hike just the falling is risky i been outdoor bouldering one in bishop happy boulders
Yea the last year before the permits started I remember getting to the subdome, seeing the crowds, and opting out of the cables. It's def better now and sometimes it can be empty (like in the video). Last few times I've had luck in the afternoon (3ish)
Clouds Rest is still very dangerous, especially if there's snow
3 ish or 4 you can get up to HD without a permit
Can't someone avoid the traffic jam by going very early in the morning?
I was in a very active scout troop as a kid, and we went hiking everywhere. I enjoyed it a lot. We made a trip to Yosemite to hike HD, and when I got to the base and saw the ascent, I went from "yeah no big deal to nope, not doing that" in about 5 seconds.
Good on you. Always listen to that little voice because it's kind of our guardian angel and usually right.
@@Olivaro10 unless he was forced to go
Thank you for your kind approach to this video. You were very respectful in your mention of Grace.
I haven't hiked Half Dome but have watched many videos since a friend of mine did it last year, have been more interested in people's experience. I'm so surprised that this hike is allowed by the NPS and so many people actually do it. What scares me most is how so many lives are at risk if one person starts slipping and starts a chain reaction of people falling.
Thank you for doing this video. With your experience, your advice has creditability. Taking your advice might make a difference in someone's life.
@@shelleywalker6225 great message. Thx
This video is an example of why I have always appreciated your channel - how you really approach your hiking guides and recommendations with care.
Appreciate that, thank you.
I use a harness and via ferrata set with two carabiners. Never had an issue with speed, but I climb rather early when crowds are sparse.
I love Clouds Rest, and have hiked it, usually from the Valley floor, more often than Half Dome. Six thousand feet of gain. In length it’s similar to the Whitney Trail, just at a lower elevation. Which makes all the difference. 😉
Totally agree. You are absolutely the most knowledgeable and helpful guide on RUclips. TY, as a sierra mountain guide and paramedic I totally agree with your summary. Included in the dangers as you mentioned sudden lightning storms also kill there and a sudden retreat is impossible. Thus the dangers there are actually not really preventable. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much, appreciate that.
I feel like NPS should just require harnesses. If they are saying harnesses are making crowds on the cables, then reduce the number that they allow up the cables more.
Also, I agree; Cloud’s Rest is just as beautiful if not more so.
so you want more rules and permits and waivers? its a national park not a permit convention about what you can and cant do
One of the best hikes ever done, and I can't wait to do it again. I felt like i needed to use a lot of upper body strength to offset the slippery granite going up. The ranger was really clear to not go up if you didn't feel comfortable.
100% agree. I always tell people to avoid half-dome and climb cloud's rest instead because of the cables, if it thunderstorms while on the cable you're just dead. Also recommend avoiding downhill skiing, cross-country is fine. If you go to Mammoth Mountain for a ski weekend your odds of serious injury or death is about 1 in 15.
(Sorry for my broken English)
Yosemite has been in my bucket list for years. I hiked many mountains before and some of the mountains I hiked needs 2 days full to get to the summit (I'm not an expert hiker, but I'm definitely not a beginner). I experienced pants full of leeches and even hiking during a storm (very scary).
But Half Dome has never been in my destination. What I learned through the years is that to "never underestimate the nature".
Half Dome is what I called as "challanging mountain" as in it's not the view that people want to have when they got to the peak, but the challange and achievement itself. I don't really want that when hiking.
In a couple years (on my 40th birthday I hope), I'm planning to have a holiday in Yosemite for about a week, but I'll skip the Half Dome. There are so many spots to visit (Mirror Lake, Yosemite Falls, Four Mile Trails up to Glacier Point, Meadow Loop and El Capitan Meadow, Tenaya Lake, etc).
If anyone want to hike the Half Dome, please please please be very careful and please reassess your stamina, fatique level, wind strength and the weather when you got there. Do not be tempted even though your mind says "But I've got this far, it's just a little more."
Have a safe hike, everyone!
Love from Indonesia
also spend time in the Tioga Road area and visit Lassen Volcanic National Park
@@Damon_Mah Thanks for the recommendation! But it seems it would be difficult for me to spend much time in Tioga road since I will be traveling via bus and train (I don't have international driving license).
But I'll definitely check them out! 😁👍
i think that this is very good advice regardless of the hike. I think a lot of people fall prey to summit fever and keep pushing even though they've realistically run out of gas
@@Damon_Mah Tioga road area is super beautiful, good ice climbing too during winter
I have hiked it twice and both times in pristine weather conditions, however the crowds were intense. Think of it more of a pilgrimage than a wilderness hike. The crowds on the cables are a real issue as waiting to move while on the steep rock is more tiring than moving up the face. We grew frustrated and climbed up on the outside of the cable to go around the bottlenecks. For those unfamiliar with the final assent, the ditch is right at the angle that you can just barley friction climb, with some slipping wearing decent hiking boots, and in perfect conditions. Add water to the face and you have problems.
This is a very sad story and my condolences go out to the family.
The SFGATE reported on this incident and there are several details that I found very interesting, one of which I'll quote here: "A ranger told them there were storms in the forecast, and at times, they did notice clouds overhead."
The report also stated a number of other interesting facts. The father and daughter were both very experienced hikers and considered themselves to be very adventurous. Half Dome was on the daughters bucket list.
Another quote, "Grace was in a new pair of hiking shoes that were supposed to offer good traction - but they didn’t." I assume her new shoes had lug-style, vibram soles which are normally very grippy, but don't work on wet, polished granite.
When they were on top of Half Dome they heard a loud clap of thunder and the father said they made a decision to book it back down as quickly as possible (i.e. they knew the risks). He said that other hikers in front of them were moving slow and "it seemed impolite to pass them."
As for the sudden thunderstorm, they weren't totally blindsided by it. The ranger brought the possibility to their attention. Furthermore, they're from Arizona, they should be very familiar with this kind of summer weather. As for mountains, they form their own weather in the summertime. You can be 60 miles away from the mountains with not a cloud in the sky overhead, but when you look at the mountain range in front of you, they're surrounded by thunderheads.
So all in all, they both seemed to understand and assume the risk associated with climbing Half Dome.
Lastly, I returned from a backpacking trip in the Sierra two weeks ago. There were plenty of opportunities for missteps, but I came through unscathed. However, when I returned home on Sunday afternoon I walked to the corner to buy a pizza. On my way back I stepped from a parking lot onto a sidewalk, and my toe caught the top of the curb, and without warning I fell flat on the ground. It happened so fast I didn't have time to brace myself with my arms to break the fall. My head hit the pavement with a hard thump. Surprised it didn't knock me out. But these things can happen in a flash.
I don't think adventure hiking is exp this is vertical climbing so you do need exp in rock climbing to give you lrself a very good chance of not falling.
@@Sherlock245 Yosemite issues 300 Half Dome permits per day, of which 275 go to lottery winners and 75 to backpackers. That's 9,000 people per month climbing Half Dome when the cables are up between May and October. Multiply that by the number of years since permits were implemented, together with the number of years people were climbing it before permits were required. The numbers are staggering. I would venture to say at least 95% of the people who hike Half Dome have no vertical-face rock climbing experience whatsoever.
That--is ironic. Interesting--thanks! Hope you were all right.
@@rkatrails it's not me it's the expert climbing leader that are calling for such drastic measure on far more dnagerous climb. And I am talking about only allowing exp climber that is what they are pushing. As they have even push to get people ban if they don't have the proper exp. And people are mocking these idea when it's coming from world climbing leaders!!!!!!!!!, 😬🙄
All because people are dying and just overcrowding shows it's very unsfafe.
I think one of the problems is that most people are only going to do that hike once in their lives. And with the lotto system, you basically have one shot at it. So it's literally ride or die.
Thank you for always being honest, candid and caring . You’re the best!!
Lifelong hiker and sometime climber here( albeit very short term) and I am very grateful that you posted this. Full disclosure- I have never climbed HD ( I agree that we can’t really call it a hike) and have no plans to as I know it’s beyond my ability and comfort level. I am horrified about what has happened here so many times and this is one more instance of it. Perhaps it is time for more foot placements as her father suggests. But given that they were told that a storm was imminent and they went anyway, how could it really have been prevented?
Maybe it’s time to start limiting passes further to reduce numbers. And maybe it’s time to limit access to experienced climbers only, rather than hikers. Some of us submit to the stoke factor and take on things we can’t handle. But that potentially limits access freedom. Maybe there’s no real answer to this.
I've been through several sudden storms while hiking ridges in the Sierras. They can be killers no matter how much experience you have. Glacial polish on Half Dm is legendary. Very slippery.
Just looking at the pictures and people climbing up are horrifying . I think half dome should be closed to the publiç for climbing. There are other places people say that are safe to climb in the park take there advice and be more safer.
They can get the numbers down if they removed the steps. That will leave the permits for people who are actual climbers. There are plenty of other rocks to stand on top of for the recreational tourist.
There’s no rules that say nature has to be all DEI and dumbed down for everyone.
Also, ironically, the more the parks start interfering with nature, the more liable they are if something goes wrong. I work in insurance law, trust me, the best thing they can do is get rid of the steps, poles and permits.
Thanks for posting this video Cris. In the 90's, I enjoyed rock climbing and did a number of rock climbing trips including a (guided) multi-pitch climb in Yosemite. Decided to hike Half Dome with a friend who grew up hiking and had done it several times. We camped at Little Yosemite and so was able to get to the sub-dome early in the morning when there were very few people were on the cables. After my rock-climbing trips, I was shocked that a safety harness wasn't required for the cables. After hiking down to the saddle, my friend asked me how I liked Half Dome -- I burst into tears and said I'd never do that hike again!
Thank you for always emphasizing hiking safety!
Tragic, but as an old school rock climber I've always avoided trails that have high risk but no common sense public safety measures. The permitting system slows the overall volume, but doesn't do anything about skill levels. The cables would be more than enough for a climber, but for the average Joe it only empowers them to do something they might not be capable of without them. When in doubt ask yourself, without the safety guardrail would I have the skill to do this. If the answer is no... don't, you can go get the skills and come back.
@@BrawndoDrinker pretty sure you can't climb up or down that side of Half Dome without the safety guardrail. So your argument doesn't hold any water when it comes to noobs or experienced climbers.
I've done Half Done 3 times and felt the same way, these people around me are going to get me killed. On the last time, someone dropped a camera lens cover and it bounced and slid down the hill, everyone stopped to watch it go probably all thinking the same thing, that could be me...
Visited Yosemite valley with my parents many times, visiting my uncle who was an employee of the Park Service. Later, I worked and lived in the valley for just over 4 years, rock climbing, backpacking, cross country skiing, backcountry skiiing and have been up Half Dome via the cables many times and once via the Snake Dyke route. I never used a harness or swami belt with a runner and carabiner(s) on the cable route. There were no crowds in those days. If I could, now days, I would use a swami belt with two runners and carabiners, most of the time using using one for the most part. If there was a potential storm warning or even a cloud in the sky (especially to the west), I would wait until it passed or abort the mission. The National Park Service does an adequate (possibly even an exemplary job) service, usually erring on the side of safety. What the public does not seem to understand, is that this, despite the crowds, it is NOT a Disneyland! This is some SERIOUS shyte! While YOSAR (Yosemite Search and Rescue) is state of the art, they are hours away. Again, THIS IS NOT DISNEYLAND! If you want safe thrills, there are theme parks.
I saw the news report, and I feel so sad for Grace's father. However, I do not agree with his wanting to "...work with Yosemite..." regarding the issue of making Half Dome "safe. " Plenty of warnings have been issued, and people hike at their own risks. If not Half Dome, they'll try and ride the waterfalls! It's people and their behavior that are dangerous, not the park. We hike at our own risks; we can't blame nature nor Yosemite.
To a degree… I mean we are made to wear seatbelts… Maybe require harness on a government managed asset… Sure go climb a mountain and fall off, but don’t build a ladder and let people fall off. There is some degree of liability there on behalf of the Park.
@@MurCurieux if you require a harness then they should make sure people know how to properly use one. Wrapping rope around your waist and attaching a carabiner is what I saw a lot of when I did HD. That poses it’s on risk not only to you but to others if you don’t know the proper type of harness.
@@MurCurieux Gtfo the onus is on the girl and her father, get some goddamn accountability going in this world.
@@_Dana_B world climbing expert are pushing for tougher regulation.
what I dont get is why yosemite hasnt put a railing ???? those wires they set up you have to clip and unclip every couple steps, they should have a railing ontop that they dont have to unclip
I remember when most people thought national parks were a waste of time. Luckily for our family, this meant we got to see Yosemite in pristine condition. The first time I climbed Half Dome at 8 years old with my family, we slept on top of Half Dome (today this is not allowed) and during that week, we only saw 9 other hikers - that whole week! The granite was coarse and no slipping was possible. No one but my brothers and sisters and I were on the ropes/cables that day - so we had the entire rock climb to ourselves. It was the one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. I also slept on top of Half Dome when I was 15 years old. That week, we only saw 5 other hikers. Yosemite was so different & much more beautiful back in those days. It is so sad to see thousands of people's tragic effect on this fragile mountain & seeing folks put their lives in danger every day today.
@@berklia what year was this? Just curious!
@@berklia I'd end up rolling down while sleeping
where do you pee?
@@MarioKarasuma me tooooo!
Your parents are irresponsible for allowing an 8yo up there. Would you allow them to take your 8yo kid up there. Smh
My friends and I always use harness and attach the clips as well. We've had people who slipped before and run into us and I can tell u, forget wat the ranger said. Safety first!
Exactly.
What's the rush? 😳
Thank you for making this very important video. I removed this hike from my bucket list months ago after doing my own research.
Far too many people have no idea what the Half Dome journey truly entails. You showed details of the surface conditions on HD and touched on the potential of other people's behavior to cause extra danger -- even for those accomplished climbers.
I hope others will listen to your sound advice. 🙏🏽
May all those who lost their lives on HD rest in peace.
This and Angel's landing are a gamble with your life . Good vid.
Good for you for sharing your advice through experience and for the clarity, reality of the hike. Also, reminding others to know what you're doing - Being mindful of Where you're hiking... What you are taking on. Thank you... for saving lives💔🙏🏻
Clouds Rest is amazing. One of the most beautiful hikes in my life. 🥰
Condolences to the family as well. 😞❤
Thank you! For all your hard work and the amazing information. You have never steered me wrong. I always feel well prepared after reading your guides and watching your videos.
Thank you!
I you do want to go up half dome, consider a hike where you get to base of the dome around sunrise. I did it once as a backpacking trip starting around 2:30 AM from Little Yosemite Valley. By doing this you 1) reduce the chances of descending during a thunderstorm (usually afternoons) and 2) you are more likely to encounter fewer crowds. On the sunrise trip the group I was with was the only one on the cables going up and down.
Early birds always get all the fun without the crowds/traffic. Less stress...more calm.😊 Growing up road trips always started before sunrise for us. That early bird mentality/habit really stuck with me.
Thank you I think one of the main threats people don’t realize until they get up there is the risk of Lightning which becomes obvious if you’re up there when bad weather is rolling in. Scrambling down is not a good solution pre planning is!
Thank you for sharing your expertise. As a non hiker this solidifies my profound disinterest in hiking. It’s straight up dangerous!
It certainly can be dangerous, but as an elder who backpacked and hiked until I got hit by arthritis, I will always treasure seeing so much beauty and getting to view wildlife. It is fabulous. Many hikes & backpacks are much safer and can be done by anyone.
I’m surprised the rangers discouraged using a via ferrata kit because it “inconveniences” others! Harnesses and helmets should be mandatory!
Ive been up half dome a good number of times including times when fires broke out. To move safely, i suggest carrying a second pair of shoes just for the half dome cables of the hike. I also recommend NOT hiking up the half dome cables with hiking shoes or trail runners. From my experience, hiking shoes or trail shoes are great for dirt, but not smooth rock. You can go up with rock climbing shoes, heck, even basketball shoes might grip better. My point is, try out a pair of shoes that grip well on a smooth stone. Also lace up your shoes properly, if you can put your shoes on and off just by stepping in or out its probably not going to hold.
TC pro was designed for Yosemite thin edging, probably be a good one if it fits you.
Excellent point!
good advise
I just got back from a trip to Yosemite and climbed half dome on July 11th, 2024. Yes, It was on my bucket list and I had been looking forward to this trip for 6 months. I was blessed with a clear very hot day and I left at 5:30 am to get on the trail. Being 76 years old and hiking alone, and being from flat Texas, it took me 9 hours to get up to the subdome. I took my time saying "One step at a time" and committed to making it to the top knowing I would be hiking back in the dark.
The Ranger was already gone by the time I got to subdome. There were only 4 people there and they were getting ready to leave. I've been an amateur rock climber for years so I had my gear in my pack. Although it was great to have the cables all to myself, I was a little worried with no one around to help out if I got in trouble.
I put on my harness and my climbing shoes and started up using my via ferrata set. The climb itself was no big deal for me as I've climbed on granite many times. However, I was shocked at how slick it was even with climbing shoes on especially in the steep middle section. There's no way I would let any of my family climb this route without clipping in with protection!
Once on top, I saw some clouds on the horizon so I didn't stick around very long plus I knew it would get dark soon. Going down the cables was uneventful as I climbed down backwards staying clipped in as I went.
Although I was very worn out hiking back down the trail, I had my headlamp and hiking poles and eventually made it down safely after many hours of hiking.
This a beautiful climb and well worth the effort! I would highly recommend that anyone wanting to climb the cables wears a harness and clips into the cables going up and down. This is just basic safety procedure! Climbing shoes would be great if you have them. It's not worth risking getting hurt or killed by climbing the cables unprotected.
Good on ya and good luck!
I generally agree with everything you say and whole heartedly second your recommendation to do Clouds Rest, either from Hwy 120 or from Happy Aisles (an even harder hike than Half Dome, in my opinion, if folks are looking for a challenge!) I did Half Dome earlier this summer and I very much underestimated how steep the cable section ones and did not anticipate how unnerving I would find the cable section. The absolute worst part for me was waiting to go up and down because of how many people there were trying to go up and down at the same time. I feel like I had a pretty lucky and overall good experience -- people were incredibly considerate and polite while on the cables and the weather was good. But also, a woman had a seizure while on the cables and at least two people were genuinely freaking out while trying to go up (he ended up turning around) or down (she had to be talked down by the people around her and caused everyone else to have to wait while she gathered her wits.) People are gonna people, including me, and underestimate the hike because it's so popular, because it's a bucket list hike, because it's there. If people are committed to doing it, I agree that clipping in is a great safety tactic -- I would do that if I ever did the hike again (I think I'm good though, once was more than enough.) The granite was so steep and slick enough with good shoes and great weather, I was very aware of how vulnerable I was, sitting on the side of a granite cliff face, waiting to ascend and descend. The other way I would suggest to mitigate risk is to better time your hike so the cables are not as crowded when you are trying to go up or down. Peak traffic on the cables seems to be exactly when those summer Sierra storms gather. I was fortunate and we were off the cables by the time we heard the crack of thunder signaling an afternoon storm. These storms can gather quickly and without enough warning to get off the cable section, given all the people trying to go up and down.
Yes, peak traffic at afternoon thunderstorm time is potential disaster! The thunderstorms build so rapidly you can actually stand on top of HD and watch a thunderhead grow...been there, done that, and had the sense to get the heck off the Dome! But that was back in the 1980's when there were vastly less people on the cables. Back then, you might have to wait one minute to start up or down the cables. Now the lines look like the ones on Mt. Everest...
Thankful I came across your site, I know my limits and I won’t be doing any hike like this. Will finally be going to Yosemite this coming fall (bucket list) I suffer from fear of heights and vertigo, so I will happily be at the bottom enjoying the this awesome mountain . 😊
I have done Half Dome a couple of times. Going up the cables was no problem. Going down the cables facing forward put my ankles at extreme angles and easy to slip. Almost like extending your legs and pointing your toes. I then turned myself around and went down backwards. I could look down between my legs and see who was coming up and it did not put my ankles at extreme angles. I could also look up and see other people who were above me coming down. If I would have been facing forward going down it would be harder to see who was above me. It worked well for me both times and I had no problem slipping.
I absolutely love half dome trail, I think it’s my favorite in the park, has two stunning waterfalls in the first third, river and forest for the second third, and sub dome and dome for the last but the best. Plus you could dip your feet at the top of the second fall, what a perfect ending! Clouds rest is a lot more boring for me, for the most part you don’t have good view but climb up and down in the woods, the view at the end is great though, but not as close to half dome as I would imagine. Before you attempt half dome, remember: 1) only go when it’s sunny in the weather forecast. 2) you might lose your foot grip for a little bit at one point on the cable (I did), but with gloves and strong hold, I don’t think anyone should have a problem. Go to a climbing gym and feel how your arms are gonna work with your legs to propel you up. Also it helps to build your upper body strength and endurance which is important when there is traffic on the cable and you will have to hang in there for a while. I used cables on both sides to going up, which I thought might be easier to stay balanced if my footing lose balance or grip. 3) when I went up, I heard a lot of people talking about how hard the going down might be, but it turned out just fine, even easy for me. What I did was facing the uphill, use cables on both sides, use your own weight combined with your grip (tight vs loose) on the cables to keep going down in a comfortable and consistent pace for yourself. With both hands on cables, and working in favor of gravity, I felt effortless that way, except when people coming up, I had to stop and switched to pass through mode (both hands on one cable, and lean sideways to make space) . For me, dry weather, coordinated climbing movements, and a pair of gloves are the most important things.
I'm so sad for this girl and her father. I agree with you about half dome. I claimed it twice when I was in my early twenties and working there. My first time hiking it with three girlfriends, a storm started brewing while we were up there. Thankfully we got down before any rain or lightning happened. (Although we got soaked during our hike down but thankfully we are off to the rocks by then.) It kind of sketched me out a little at the time, but now that I'm older I have no desire to ever hike there again. During my time working in the park, there was also a man that took a fall and died. It just doesn't feel worth it and the weather up there is too unpredictable.
No pressure but I really do trust you with my life, hiking guy. I will continue to be a dedicated supporter!
My daughter works in Yosemite valley. The day of the incident it was raining. The rescue helicopter was even grounded because of hail. There’s a metal plaque at the bottom of the cables warning hikers not to go up if there are clouds on the horizon. I saw the plaque in your video.This unfortunately is a choices and consequences situation. Bad choices led to horrible consequences.
I saw that news too - as you described it, it’s hard to imagine how it must have felt for her and her dad. :-(
I went up Half Dome once (just before the permit system was put in place). That was enough for me.
I went up Clouds Rest once and started up that ramp at the top. I had to move to the side to make way for oncoming traffic, and the footing was sketchy with loose gravel. I looked to the valley side with the 4-5,000’ drop and I turned around. I want to go back and try it someday, ideally on a day when there are few people, and maybe I’ll convince myself to finish it.
I was in Yosemite today and intended to go to May Lake and up Mt. Hoffman. I got to the trailhead and there were dark clouds and thunder all around me. I aborted before even starting.
Safety first.
Good call on Mt Hoffman. I know it's a bummer to cancel or turn around, but I've done it many times. Just part of the deal.
@@heiser_bill smart man
I truly love your channel because you never recommend hazardous hikes! I know that if you've got a guide it's not going to be dangerous and will be fun and doable! Loved your video on Mt. Mitchell - as that's been on our list for years.
Thank you! Stay tuned for more...
The sierra can turn on you in a flash. I have summitted Half Dome twice. The first time, going up the cables was really scary. The second time was still pretty crazy. The view from the top was spectacular with no thunderstorms (both times), I can't imagine going down the cables when the granite was wet.
Great video! I feel the same way about Angel's Landing. It's doable, but getting around people of various abilities and stages of freakout makes it too difficult to assess and mitigate risk. Especially like with these folks, who were fast and strong, but got stuck behind slower, more tentative folks as an intense storm swept in. I know the recommendation is to get down if a storm is coming in, but if there is a crowd, it might be better to get low and wait it out on the top. That granite is slippery enough when it's dry.
There are many ways to reduce your risk climbing Half Dome and you can enjoy the climb. If there is even a remote hint of adverse weather on your permit day morning, don't attempt the hike. Have the right gear and know how to use it. INHO, the boots that take you to the base of the sub-dome are not the boots you want on the granite, especially if there is even the slightest precipitation. Via ferrata gear, harness, gloves and helmet? Absolutely yes. None of the gear will prevent you from falling but it will prevent you from falling off the dome to your death. Weekdays seem to have a smaller crowd. Arrive as early as practicable in the morning at the base of the sub-dome and proceed when you have sufficient light.
Good recommendation. I took this off my list years ago, after reading about the crowds. It's not as bad as being stuck in traffic on the Hillary Step, but the same principle applies. My family and I never have done Clouds Rest: I think it's time we did.
Very tragic accident. I did the hike this past May at age 70 with the cables down using a harness and two prusik loops. It’s fairly bombproof if you know what you are doing and I think much safer than joining the conga line with the cables up. There were many fewer people and it seemed to be a self selected group who knew what they were doing. But it is a lot of work lifting the cable and pulling yourself up.
I've been down the cable route but never went up it. We climbed the regular route topped out at sunset and went down the cable route at night . The cables were down. After we got down the moon was up and I could see what we came down it looked as scary as Thank God Ledge. I would not go up or down it with 60 plus people in front or behind me too many variables that depend on complete strangers skills if you live or die.
Harnesses should be required on half dome. If they have a problem with crowding they should give out less permits. This problem could be solved very easily
100% agree, I had the same thought when I first did the cables, “how is this allowed?”. I would not do it again without a harness.
if you use only one clip, then you keep it in front of your hand, which is holding on the cable, pushing the clip forward in a naturally walking way. its a lot faster and pretty common "trick". you dont' have to turn around and grab behind your back...
Glad I did to in the 80’s when it wasn’t as crowded!
Granite will wear and smooth out over time, as people walk on it and touch it, so I have to think that decades of being heavily trafficked has worn the granite path between the cables. This greatly increases the risk, especially when the granite is wet. Even with the permit system in place, there are way too many people on those cables.
I did Half Dome in the mid 1990s on a July 4 weekend as a day hike and last year as day 2 of a JMT thruhike. There are far fewer ill prepared people with the permit system on the trail. That said, my boot slipped on the way up last year. I attributed it to the boots having not enough tread but the boots saw me through the remaining 200 + miles of the JMT. I followed 2 guys who were using via ferrata sets and they were slower than me. That said, they, not I made the right choice. If I ever do it again, I will use the 2 clip via ferrata set. You will still fall a long way to the next pole but that is obviously better than falling without being attached. Your use of a single carabiner is not too bad as you are standing on wood when you need to unclip. If someone is going to do this, get the via ferrata. If you think you don’t want to spend the money for a one time hike, you can probably sell it after you get off the cables to the nervous folks on subdome mulling whether to continue up the cables. RIP young lady.
THAT VIA FERRATA IS BS, THAT'S NYLON, A 200LB MAN CAN EASILY SNAP THE NYLON IF HE SLIPS, IF IT'S NOT A CABLE SECURITY SYSTEM ATTACHED TO YOU, IT'S STILL NOT SAFE, SPECIALLY WHAT HE WAS DOING, USING JUST ONE NYLON STRAP INSTEAD OF TWO.
For people's information, a high quality via ferrata set (climbing harness plus safety lanyard plus gloves) will probably cost about $260 plus tax and shipping. I went up Half Dome three times with no safety equipment but that was back in the days when few people did the cables and the granite was not so polished. If I went up again now, I would absolutely spend the money for top-quality via ferrata equipment.
@@ellyw7201 you could probably sell it to nervous folks on subdome
So true! I did it in 2020 and my first thought was what happens is someone above me falls?
This hike should be limited to people with harnesses. Too many people get there are realize how steep it is and how slippery the granite is. I was behind a family going up and the young daughter maybe 10-12 started to panic because her feet were slipping. Got stuck behind them for half an hour.
With the permit system now people feel compelled to do the hike .
NPS should rethink this trail.
or just rethink the permit system , its not needed. how is someone supposed to plan all this out and also get the permits lot easier said then done, also the NPS system has done a ton. its the people who visit who are dumb and weak who die and thats just the way it goes
@@bobduncan-ix7shagreed, just require harnesses or age cap the hike to over 15 or something, get these families and improperly trained or athletic tourists off dangerous hikes. Having a soft monetary barrier would definitely prevent some traffic as wasting money on a one time purchase would cross out a lot of regular joes.
@@Grumbobleopposite of what im trying to convey. i shouldn’t have to pay multiple fees to go on a hike thats crazy. and its not a super daunting task to hike half dome not really something that requires training beforehand
I climbed the dome in 2001 and what made it hard for people was the fact they didn't bring enough water and were suffering heat stroke and still determined to top the dome and passed out on the cables. Too many rookies.
Great advice. I've done both Half Dome and Cloud's Rest, and I completely agree with your recommendation.
Hiked HD in 2010, pretty crowded, especially way down. My friend was an experienced climber and set us up with just simple harness and carabiners - no spring rope, just tethers - not ideal because if you fall, you're going to get yanked hard, but at least you won't lose control. Nice having the extra security, as on the way down, we had to go outside the cables to let people through going up, it was so crowded - being clipped in was the only way I would have done that - not a great experience.
In 2016, my 16yo daughter and I went in Oct - got a permit, but the weather is a definite risk. We got to the cables and people were coming down saying it was snowing up top. My daughter was *very* disappointed when I said we weren't going up, but I just couldn't risk it - there was a stack up on the cables with no one moving. Even with the same harness setup, I didn't feel good. I think *every* (or 99%?) fall has been wet granite on HD.
Summer 23, my two daughters went with friends and I bought both daughters via feratta kits - best decision. They had great weather, summited no problem, and felt secure doing it. I feel that the best solution would be to add a wire *above* the pole wire and just shoot straight up/down w/o clipping in/out slowing the line. That way, the park could require via feratta for everyone.
In my opinion, you need poles on the cable you clip onto, to stop your fall within 10 feet or so. Having a "safety cable" with no "brakes" (poles) on it wouldn't improve safety much.
@@ellyw7201 That's a really good point - well made.
In Germany this would be called a via ferrata. Nobody should actually go up there without the appropriate via ferrata harness. If someone slips, they could take others with them. They have no good Equipment at all. No Hiking Shoes or something else.
Longs Peak in Colorado has that same granite polishing in full effect. You can have approach shoes on and still slip because the heavy traffic over the years makes the rock smooth. Cant imagine water thrown into the equation too. RIP.
I really appreciate your channel in that it’s for the hiker that’s in everyone. I am much more adventurous than my wife and she wouldn’t do nearly the stuff that I’d like to but I know that the stuff that’s on your channel and that you recommend is good to go. So thank you for that.
I've done the hike 6 times and watched many people walk outside the cables... I've done it when traffic was bad... but I've never seen an accident on the cables. However, the last time I went, I was about 90% of the way down the cables and this girl (16ish?) was bawling her eyes out and scared to death going up. Fortunately, it was not very crowded but that probably was not a very good idea. Being that terrified is probably not very safe and I bet it was 10 times worse for her coming down.
Side note, the first time up as we were returning back to camp, a father or 1 or 2 young kids decided to cool off in the river and went over Nevada Fall. We missed all the commotion but people we're still talking about it. Apparently a helicopter was brought in to retrieve or find him. Very sad. Don't play in the water!
Yea the outside is way less slick, and while freaky, offers better footing. I've seen climbers who came up the face casually walking down with all their rope on the outside.
I just got back from half dome. Two things I know now that I wish I knew before:
1. Clipping on is a lot smarter than not. The ranger at the base of sub-dome on our day didn't discourage a harness, and I wish I had taken a harness.
2. My new (broken in, about a month old, maybe 100km in them) hiking shoes were too stiff in the sole. I thought the tread on a hiking shoe would be beneficial, but hiking shoes are stiff to protect your feet from rocks. The stiffness prevents good grip. I would try to rent climbing shoes, and failing that, would go with a softer rubber like a court shoe for better grip.
The report had me look into hike and found your video. Thanks for the video. I cant imaine watching my daughter slide and scream in panic as she goes off the edge. The feeling as a father and the feeling of the daughter whos last thoughts of nothing but fear and disbelief.
Im no hiker but i do a lot of rope rescue and i agree 100% that you should have a secondary device while on this hike. The favt they say well it slows you down is wild.
"A traffic jam of people" is what I don't do. Anywhere. That's been my number one rule since I started climbing as a kid.
I walked up to Nevada Fall last year. Maybe started around 7 or 8am. The water was crazy from the record snow pack, soaking the Mist Trail and everyone on it. I didn't have my contacts in, but was wearing glasses, and they provided limited visibility up to Vernal Fall, from the vertical water droplets hitting you, like you're in a storm. The crowds were crazy. Kids in flip flops with no hiking packs just running around like crazy. The steep section right before you get to the top of Vernal Fall was super sketchy with the wet granite and the crowds. JMT was closed so had to walk back down that way too! The granite switchbacks at Nevada Fall were also a bit sketchy as there was a stream going down them in one area. To me that felt a little uneasy. I can't imagine what Half Dome or Sub Dome would be like.
Thank you for this. I totally agree with you. Do the other hike instead. Full agree. Why risk death? I too feel bad for the family that lost the daughter. My heart breaks.
I first hiked Half Dome when I worked a summer job in Curry Village decades ago.
Apparently the granite is now slicker than it was in years past..bummer. Even mildly wet granite is very dangerous.
I've done it probably 4 times since 1980.
I don't find the cables all that frightening but having another person freeze up mid route is a problem.
In the past my friends and I would simply duck under to the outside of the cables while maintaining a firm grip and go around any halted person. No..I don't recommend this practice to anyone.
That said, standing still for a period of time on the steepest part of that ascent is tiring and fatigue inducing. It's an exhausting hike overall and introducing more muscle fatigue may cause your return down to the valley floor to be less than pleasant.
It bears mentioning that the poles are not hard anchored into the granite.
Im not including this to frighten anyone, people should have as much info as is available so they can be aware and prepare.
Hiking Half Dome is a grand adventure, a Sierra Classic but it's not for everyone.
Be safe.
The "not for everyone" bit should be highlighted and pinned on top.
As a parent of a son who’s the same age, I’m very saddened at what happened.
I have never heard of this ‘hike’ before.
When I saw the video of the actual method to ascend and descend I was shocked.
I rock climb outdoors so am not averse to risk or challenging rock activity but there is no way I’d participate in that climb without a harness and being clipped in.
Tbh I’m surprised more people haven’t died.
It’s mad that the rangers discourage using a harness. I’d never go up there without being clipped on to the cable. (Probably wouldn’t do it anyway.)
Nice video - appreciate the insight and opinions. I've hiked half dome multiple times since the mid-1970's, the last time was 2012. Hope to go again next September. I think there are several ways to mitigate some of the risks. For example, avoid the crowds - spend a nite in Little Yosemite Valley, then depart early (2-3am) so that you are already up the cables for a beautiful sunrise and cup of coffee. There are multiple trailheads to begin the hike from other than Happy Isles, so instead of trying to make the half dome hike an absolutely brutal "day hike" from the valley floor via Happy Isles trailhead, consider making it a 2 or 3 day short backpack trip. Even if you still start from Happy Isles, spend the nite at Little Yosemite Valley and do the Half Dome part the next morning. Be obsessively mindful of the weather - in my experience, rain/thunder/lightning are more common in the mid-to-late afternoon, so plan around those times - go early in the morning. And just be a good human - I've seen rude and unsafe behavior on the trail and even on the cables and this puts everyone at greater risk. Be patient, be kind, watch out for your fellow hikers of all abilities - rising tide floats all boats.
I used to do technical climbing in my 20s and in my 30s. I never got to Yosemite. I’m from Colorado. Most of my climbing was done there. However, if I would’ve ever made it up to Yosemite, and did half dome, I most definitely would’ve clipped in like you were suggesting. Because if you do it correctly, it shouldn’t slow you down that much.
And that just goes back to if people don’t know what they’re doing. They have no business on that rock. It is not a hike. In my opinion, the cable should come down and only technical climbers the climate. 🤷♀️ but I agree with you 100% with what you’re saying this video. And a lot of people argue it, and saying that that’s not a good idea.
I’m also glad that you’re recommending people to not do it. As I said earlier in the comment people that aren’t technical rock climbers have no business being on that mountain.
Clouds Rest for the win! I've never gone up Half Dome -- to me that's not a *hike*. That section with the cables is technical and probably lulls casual day hikers into a false sense of security.
what does that even mean 😂😂its definitely a hike rei sheldon
Which is why they should pull the poles and steps out. As a former lifeguard, my beaches refused to put a float in the deep end. All those deep end floats do is entice poor swimmers to go over their head and get into trouble. I’ve seen beaches with floats that are constantly having to call people back in. We never had that problem.
Same here. The more humans try to make nature easier for people, the more you’ll attract people who are unfit for such endeavors. Leave nature as it was intended.
@@bobduncan-ix7sh it means every idiot thinks they can do it, when they can't.
@@snookies1224 so its not a hike? im confused and didnt seem like EVERY IDIOT was there on 7/22/24 when i hiked it
Done it this May and agree with a very slippery granite. I think thus part of the hike should definitely be done on the harness. The hike itself is incredibly beautiful but also hard, so by the time most people reach the cables they are already exhausted. I would still recommend doing it, but again, definitely using a harness.
Thanks for the tip. My friends and I are planning to go next year around this time too.
Thank You.
Thanks for this. Terrible tragedy.
My deepest condolences to the family.
We used clips with a harness even though that wasn’t the recommendation. Yes, it took longer but I felt that it provided some additional safety and it gave me something to focus on rather than freaking out about the height!
We also camped at the halfway point the night before and were some of the first people on the cables early the next morning. It was also a crystal clear day. I told everyone in our group that if it was cloudy or even a hit of rain / storms that I would not be going up the cables. When we came down it was very crowded and I was thankful we hadn’t been in that situation on the way up.
Hiking guy I just found your channel and as a FL Trail hiker and live in South GA on the FL line literally. I am an off season ranger and love finding new channels I can listen to while doing night rounds 😊
Ever wanna know some spots in North Florida on the Suwannee i'd love to recommend some hikes for ya if ever in the area! Take care!
Appreciate that and welcome on board!
I thought common sense was dead, and then I saw this video. Honestly, it's a breath of fresh air. Many people are just hiking Half Dome and Angels Landing for their ego's sake. Who wants to spend time in the wilderness in a crowd of hundreds of people like they're at the local Costco on a Sunday afternoon. That's not relaxing. That doesn't recharge your batteries. It just stokes your ego, and it's not really even that hard. It's too many people in the same place in nature, taking something that maybe once, decades ago, was a special experience and turning it into an amusement park. Yeah, no thanks!
Did it last summer with a $80 Via ferrata kit, hiking shoes, and basic nitrile gloves for grip. No way I’d do it without that setup. It was plenty fast. It was also insane to watch all the kids and out of shape adults in tennis shoes with no harness. Accidents are not surprising.
I love and respect your high level of common sense. Thank you for your good advice and beautiful hiking videos.
Bingo.... use your God given common sense
I agree. Know your limitations. Should you stay put once it starts to rain? Just stay where you are; till the rain passes. 🌧️