@@lucasterradostuff I honestly would have come down on my butt. Like just coming down on my butt instead of walking down. That way you don't slip. No feet.
@@boohere2 Not sure that would have worked w/o holding onto the cable. A lot of ppl behind you would have been held up, & you would have had to move out of the way enough for oncoming hikers, so they wouldn’t fall trying to get around/step over you. Just a bad idea, all around.
Lucas, the physical reaction I had watching you creep out to the edge, I almost couldn't watch. I have such a terror of heights, I couldn't do this. Thank you for taking me along virtually! Terra, smart move choosing not to continue on. A profound real-world example of why women live longer than men 🙂
Just saw a post that sadly a girl was hiking with her father and they were caught in a rain storm and she sadly fell to her death. That’s how I found this video. I could never hike that. Rest in Peace to that girl.
I just posted a similar comment, having earlier today, read the same tragic story. She is gone and her father will never be the same. What for? Have to wonder if there are any other national parks that have as many falling events as Yosemite. BTW looking at the dark rain clouds in the background at 9:23 in.
I've gone to the top of Half Dome 3 times over the years...first time was right out of the Marines in 1992. I'm a lifelong athlete of multiple sports so I'm pretty good in the physically fit, department. This is not your everyday, leisurely hike. My last summit was 3 years ago at the age of 55, it was pretty taxing for me but all in all still a great climb. Good on Terra for knowing her limitations, which is lacking in a lot of people and can easily get you killed. I have likely seen the last of Half Dome but it will always remain as a great memory and an old friend! ✌
Those harnesses should be a requirement for the cables. I dont understand why people are allowed to go up without them. So many deaths and injuries could be prevented :( Mad respect to Tara for knowing her strengths! That's the smartest decision anyone can make hiking any trail. Knowing when to say enough.
That carabiner wouldn't have held him if he fell at the top of any cable. Also, single is crazy because one could unclip and fall. Using 2 is a little stronger so you can remain clipped while unclipping and connecting to the next stretch. As long as people know the risk I don't believe anyone should be required to use anything.
Good for Terra. Trust your gut. I had a hike planned with a friend that goes to a lookout point. The weather just seemed off to me. Long story short we chose a different route and when we got back down to parking lot there was a scene. A fluke wind/rain burst swept someone off to their death. The exact same route we had planned on taking.
I did the climb up Half Dome in 1984 and enjoyed it. Back then there were no climb permits required or offered. You just showed up and started climbing the cables (without gloves in my case but it was okay) and nobody had harnesses to hook onto the cables. You just held on. I spent about a half hour on top and watched a couple of guys tossing a football around and a just-married couple had spent two days climbing up the sheer side for their honeymoon and had reached the top while I was there! Suddenly storm clouds moved in and we were all told to evacuate and get down the cables as quick as we could because the granite top of Half Dome attracted lightning. There were about 100 people scampering down the cables, several on the outside of the cables very quickly. We all got down okay and watched the storm pass. Since I'm much older now I won't do it again (I'm physically able though) but it is a wonderful memory and I have some terrific photos.
My first time up Half Dome was in 1985 the weekend before the group of young men got hit by lightning in the cave and 1 walked off the edge. We waited on sub dome for some clouds to leave. There is no way I would have climbed the day you went. I'm glad your wife didn't go even though nothing happened it was the right choice not going up that lightning rod.
My trip was in 79, I was young and the trip to the top was completely unplanned. I look back at it now and at the time it seemed so easy. The miles covered and the elevation change was impressive for a 10 hour trip, but the cable part didn't even seem to be a challenge. If you made it to the top of the sub-dome, why wouldn't you make the final push? Looking at all of the videos lately, I really wonder if I would be as casual as I was back then?
It Seems that it was made much more dramatic than it actually is - RUclips Drama. When I went, people were on the outside and the inside of the cables, I don't remember anyone whatsoever with a harness and carabiners . I hiked with a family from the UK which included a 10 year old and a 12 year old. It was exciting and breathtaking but not dangerous. On my second trip we were stopped and turned around because someone had committed suicide earlier in the day. 🙁 @@michaelbisnett4845
You say "everyone just continues," but what you didn't see in the video was roughly 80% of people actually turned around and left when the rain started. Only me and a handful of other people decided to continue forward and see if the weather would clear up. Keep in mind, this was around noon and the weather forecast was for a very brief shower in the morning followed by clear sunny skies the rest of the day, and that's exactly what happened.
You two are very relatable and real great video. A good lifelong friend of mine lost his beautiful daughter off the cables on half dome. Not sure what all happened but it was so sad and tragic. Every bit of caution is well spent attempting this.
Knowing and respecting your limitations is a good thing. Way back in the early 90's, before permits and the double cables were installed, I faced the single cable and I nixed going any further. It is okay to stop.
Awesome video! I did that hike all in one day, and I remember those awful stairs! I was 70 years of age at the time, and the oldest in the group of about 15. Most thought I'd never make it to the top, but I showed them, and almost died in the process! The one good thing was not having to pack all that camping gear up to Little Yosemite Valley. But those stairs going up Vernal Falls, then Nevada Falls, then the Sub Dome were grueling! But at least we had beautiful weather for it, but very crowded cables! We'd go up the 10' or so to the next board and rest a bit. Then, just a short distance from the top of the cables, my legs cramped up on me with double charley horses! Ugh! But it was well worth it when I made it to the top and called my wife at home. It was such an emotional experience that I got all choked up and couldn't talk! She said, "Are you there?" I finally got my voice and said, "Guess where I am? Yup, I made it!" Thank you so much to Mechelle Bertolucci and her Achieve It Fitness group! They encouraged me all the way and waited for me as I "crawled" up all those granite steps! The cables were actually a piece of cake compared to those awful "Stairways to Hell"! Then, after a little over an hour, it was clear back down to Camp Curry. I said, "Never again!", but would you believe, just a few weeks later, I actually thought about doing it again? But a few granite steps on a day hike on the PCT cured me of that! lol Anyway, I really enjoyed your video! It brought back memories, good & bad.
Congrats! I have done the Half Dome hike a few times. Last time was over a decade ago. I'm 65 now and would like to do it one more time. Your achieving that goal at 70 gives me hope. Thanks
@@philcarmichael6090 Thank you, Phil, I am now 78½ and thinking of trying it again for my 80th birthday. But every time I'm hiking up a steep hill, I think, who am I kidding? No way! lol But if I could just skip all those grueling granite stairs and just go up the cables, I honestly think I could do it. I could use my arms to pull myself up, and not depend on my legs only. "Piece of cake", I think, as I sit here in my recliner, all rested up.
The problem is that a lot of people don’t have harness and 2 ropes, even is this video I totally don’t agree with this man having ONE rope, while you unclip you could slip and die, therefore you support to have two ropes.
@@mariyakalynyuk162 I just read about that happening to a guy at half dome. He fell while he was in the process of that very sequence of unclipping and clipping back in.
Smart of Terra to know her limits and not go beyond. I lived in CA for 20 years, and Half Dome is something many friends have done (using climbing harness), not something I could bring myself to do though. High Peaks trail in Pinnacles was bad enuf for me!
Thank you! Just getting to the base of the cables was quite an accomplishment. We really enjoyed High Peaks in Pinnacles. We have a video of that hike as well (we saw several Condors!!!). 😀
Thanks for this video and your account. A loved one has done this trek, so I appreciate your accounting of it. I applaud Terra for staying behind and following her heart.
I nearly died when you walked to the edge of that rock over the cliff holding the 360 camera, way to scary for me, that place is no joke. Thanks for the great video!
Wow! Great job to both of you! It's challenging just getting to the cables so great job Terra. I had to hold my breath when you got near the edge Lucas, I've been on top two times but never near the edge so now I know what it looks like. You guys both did awesome, thanks for sharing.
This was definitely true in my experience. I can't imagine what they could do about it, but the section between the cables is definitely more slippery than other areas of granite that haven't been so highly trafficked.
I’m a simple person. I enjoy walking in my local trails and pretending I’m somewhere far away. lol. I’m good. Looked beautiful though. Great that you did it and got to experience it.
Like everybody, Im here because of the girl who fell and your video was attached. You were fully nuts to go up in that weather and lucky to have made it down, especially not repelling style. Oof!!
Just saw a video yesterday of a 20 year old girl that fell down cables and perished. Dad almost caught her. Then, I caught your video! I admire your energy. Looks like you are having a great time but the cables freak me out! Glad the video brought me to yours. You guys are fun!
I’m a Half Dome daydreamer and can’t thank you enough for being real about the effort this journey takes rather than coming off like a pair of mountain goats who’ve been on the trail your entire lives. 😊
I’ve watched countless half dome videos and the cables look intimidating every single time. Congrats for making it to the top! Maybe one day I’ll have the courage to do it.
My daughter did it with friends years ago, her old room mate’s family climbed the face of half dome years ago-😮. Just the other day a young lady fell off El Capitan. Now another young lady lost her life walking half dome with her father. RIP❤. It is the roll of the dice. I just love looking at the sites in Yosemite from the lower elevation-God’s country-beautiful🌺
Congrats on your trek.. i found your channel after reading a story about the girl who slipped and died... so sad 😢i admire your bravery and courage.. you 2 stay safe !! ❤🙏
Great video man! I did it about 8 years ago, up and back from Curry Village, all in one day. My only problem besides having never hiked, was carrying too much water. I probably had a gallon in my bladder, which is like 10lbs. I didn't drink 1/5th of it. I thought the cables were the easiest part. I had gloves with a nitrile coating on the palms. Those were like glue on the cables. I never once felt unsafe or even worried. I would love to do the hike again. Besides the gloves, what helped me the most were hiking poles. No joke, I sort of jogged the way down, and the poles saved me from rolling my ankles a couple times. I think it was like 13 hours roundtrip for me. Long day but well worth it.
I hope you gifted that harness to somebody else it certainly had a part in saving your life and making your trip up the dome successful I would pass it on if you could
I wish I had paid it forward and gifted the harness to someone. Honestly, after coming down, I was so flooded with adrenaline that I didn't give any thought to the harness until later.
I feel like trekking poles would not have been helpful on this particular hike, personally. We saw very few people using them on this trail. That's just my opinion from my experience. Thanks for your advice.
@@lucasterradostuff my wife and I completed this hike last week and the poles were cheat codes, as they always are. How could they not help with 4800’ of gain?
This video somehow popped up in my queue. I'm glad I watched. It helped me determine that decades ago as a young Marine,I too climbed half dome with my platoon. My memory is not so good but I have pictures and they match your surroundings at the top.
Great job , I have hiked from Tuolumne Meadows to Curry Village five times, Did Half Dome once going down ,a great hike best ever. If I was going up to little Yosemite Valley for the Half Dome hike, I would go past the trail head for the stairs to Vernal Falls, across the bridge 50 feet or so and hike the mule trail to Nevada falls no steps you can set your pace, Your hiking on the other side of the valley, then hike down the steps ,great video. Terra the 1st time I tried the dome I got a little Vertigo , I went down with no shame. I did it 2 years later with my 16 year old son. good decision on your part. I always say know your limit and have fun. I really like your video good job, your both good hikers.
@@lucasterradostuff Those people don't take into account the possibility of bad weather or the possibility that someone above them might fall on them knocking them off. I saw people climbing huge ladders on cliffs in France without using the available harness points or any securing rope. Crazy.
Great video!! Thank you for this!! I know making a video definitely takes way more time while on my hikes. I have a playlist of Yosemite from two years ago. You should see the vernal falls video. My wife and I hikes to it and it was amazing!! Waterfall was roaring and it started to snow on us!
Years ago we were on half dome cap when a thunder and lightening storm quickly came up around us. My long hair began to stand out straight from my head. We quickly scurried down the cables and minutes later the lightening was striking right where we were standing. WATCH YOUR WEATHER!! 👋👱♀️🇺🇲
Aww I hiked to the top of Nevada falls and half dome was another 8 miles from there. I’ve always wanted to go back. 30 yrs later, I don’t remember any stairs but I was also 16yrs old and not carrying a backpack. I dont think we even carried water. Them good ol days. Lol. Thank you for making this video. Its helpful info. I would do this today! Rest in peace to those who dared and died doing what they love. Prayers for the families. 👣🌈🦋
I just did this in one day, back and forth all the way up and down. "Thought" I was in good shape. I made it, but I was lucky to have friends that did it before and prepared me properly (hike accomplished 5/29/24 about 10.5 hours). There was way more water than this video! I thought I would never consider doing this again, but here I am, sore AF, watching this video haha.
I hiked up on a calm day but the winds really picked up as I got to the subdome. I almost turned back but pressed on, briefly in fear for my life. The cables were far steeper than I expected but not that bad once I started climbing. Did the whole trip in about 9 hours and it was well worth it. I still got sweaty palms watching you approach the edge.
Me and two friends did this in 1978. Spent the night in Little Yosemite where a very large bear scared the C**p out of us at night. The bext day climed up and down the cables. Going down definitely scary! It's like trying to walk up a giant basketball. Im glad I did it..
I can never ever do any of this stuff but always wonder how it is up there so thank you for your post!! I enjoyed it so much with my palms dripping with sweat! lol
Look up pictures of before the permit system. At times there were hundreds of people crowding the cables at the same time. People would use the outside of the cables to go around the traffic. That was insane.
Things have changed apparently. Back in the 80s we climbed Half Dome three times, spending the night on top, no permits required. The last time we got to the cables at 8:45 p.m. to a full moon! For anyone planning to go, it is much easier to go up using the Muir Trail and coming down using the Mist Trail. It is longer going up but much easier. Save your thighs for when you have to climb the stairs on the Shoulder before getting to the cables. My first time I was so nervous I got about 20 yards up the cables and turned around. A woman saw me as she was coming down and handed me her gloves. Very nice, but, after I put them on I went up again and couldn’t even feel the cables and immediately came down and handed them to someone else. I managed to pull myself together and up we went. If you have a strong fear of heights the key is to just look straight down at the rock as you take each step. Pay no attention to that view, lol. It took us about twenty minutes. More scary for me was how many people were on the cables going both up and down. You quickly figure it out when passing people to just stop and hang on to your side of the cable. Know this - the rock is very slippery because it is worn and you just need to take one step at a time and pay attention. No one was using a harness back then but it might not be a bad idea. Never ever go up the cables if it has been raining and the rock is wet, unless you are looking for a Darwin Award. There are multiple signs regarding lightning. It is real. My husband on a trip with his friends held off and camped in the forest below the Shoulder due to rain. The group in front of him went ahead and the next morning they were recovering a body using helicopters! In this video they show them coming back down the cables face forward. We tried that the first time but it very quickly gets steep. It is a hundred times easier to back down!! To make this point, about half way up or down the cables it is as steep as being on a ladder. No one comes down a ladder facing forward. If coming down the Mist Trail it is narrow, steep and often wet and slippery. Definitely not for people with knee issues. It is beautiful and worth doing if you pay attention. Great video and views. I respect the wife taking a pass. No one should be pressured if they don’t feel comfortable and confident in their own abilities. A fun fact, a 93 year old man made it to the top in 2023. So go do this if it is on your bucket list. I will always feel fortunate to have seen three sunsets and three sunrises up on top! 😊
@@barnowlwatcher I’m sure that’s a part of it. Think of how well people comply with the ‘pack it out’ requirements on Mount Whitney. I’m sure they wouldn’t be any better on Half Dome. But there are other issues. Think of how crowded with tents it would be up there if they allowed camping. That would certainly take away from the experience. There are also issues with safety, including the dangers of electrical storms and people climbing the cables with large overnight packs. Plus, permits are only for one day.
@@matthewstorm5188 Not a single tent I can remember on any of the three times I spent the night up there. There are low rock walls people put together a very long time ago so when you are laying flat it helps protect against the wind. It is much larger than you might think. I don’t remember any trash either! But, of course we did have to do our “business” and bury it, lol. But times have changed and it doesn’t matter where you are, they carelessly leave their trash behind, fishing line, crap all over the beach, etc. The lighting warnings are for real. There are well posted signs to not be on the cables when raining or even if you see thunder cells way off in the distance. My X and his friends went on a trip and it started raining. They held back but another group kept going. One guy was struck at the top (where the rock cave is) and plunged off the face! They got to watch the helicopter come in for the retrieval. I suppose you get a Darwin Award when you are warned and do it anyway!
Thanks! We also did Angel's Landing. I would say they are equally "scary," but Half Dome is more difficult just because of the distance. It's like 3x longer than Angel's Landing. Would love to do either of them again though, because they are both incredible experiences.
I like that Terra didn’t feel pressured to do what wasn’t right for her. See I’m married to a geologist and a super adventurous person. I’m the opposite. Idd be content to watch a video. There’s always a tension between us. I feel I have to be this party pooper all the time. But sorry if I don’t feel it I don’t feel it!! I just hate the way I feel for declining his suggestions. Because it’s not like he is okay no worries it’s the face he makes. I hate it.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. First Corinthians 13: 4-8.
He is shaming you. He is invalidating you as a person. You have to be willing to lose him. Sit him down and ask him if it's a deal breaker that you don't want to go on his crazy adventures. Be prepared he may say yes. See if you can find a compromise (you go but don't do the crazy parts you stay back and make lunch and read a book). If you can't find a compromise and he is truly unhappy, the marriage is doomed. You see, those faces are toxic and a window into the health of your marriage. No matter what he needs to USE HIS WORDS. We say this to toddlers. Toxic body language is unacceptable. Discuss it and be willing to compromise. If he isn't, he's too rigid for marriage and is full of resentment and contempt.
That’s unfortunate. I’m the adventurous person who loves to have company, but I never encourage anyone who is apprehensive. Fear can save your life and I respect it.
Heavy packs with no hip belts, no trekking poles, no water bladders, and wearing heavy jeans to hike all day?? You two were asking for a challenging! Lol
Both of our packs had hip belts. In our experience, trekking poles would have been more of a hinderance than an asset. We had plenty of water and a filter to use at the river. The jeans I wear are not "heavy," at least not in my opinion and they have elastic woven into the fabric that makes them very stretchy. Maybe not the way you would choose to hike this, but it worked for us.
GAHHHH I remember doing this for the time and boy was it tiring. I did the same route you guys took. This is giving me major nostalgic vibes. I miss Yosemite.
Thanks for posting this video. What a wonderful place and hike! I’m thinking about going to Yosemite next year but just to see some waterfalls and hike “normal” trails😂❤.
I plan to hike the sub some soon. Although, I will not be doing the cables! I’d be happy to just get the views after the stairs. Thanks for the video. And you’ve got great hair!
Je suis un grand randonneur, surtout en France et en Suisse...je rêve de parcourir le Yosemite... Très jolie vidéo, c'était dur je crois mais quelle superbe récompense. From France with love
Thanks for showing your adventure, I would love to just see half dome but has been a dream to go to the top maybe one day, amazing video and thanks for sharing
There are literally a ton of one day climb vids for youtube. I think doing it in one day is the way to go, weather permitting. I am also glad to see your friend decided not to try. Physically, she's in no shape to attempt the cables. I'm glad she thought better of it!
Half Dome is definitely worth the planning and physical exhaustion. I was up there in September as well. Though it was my second time it was just as amazing. If you sit around thinking about climbing Half Dome I say go get your permit and actually do it. Forever memories.
I too have done this hike in the early part of November a few years ago... Went to Little Yosemite Campground for 1 night, it was a long day for us.. It's no joke, those stairs are a killer, yet I don't regret doing it and would do it again if I had the opportunity..
It is an epic undertaking, but so worth it. I look forward to doing it again someday also, especially with the lessons learned from this first experience.
Happy your spouse was true to herself saying that she cannot go on. If she’d lie to herself and was afraid her outcome probably wouldn’t end up good. Praises to her.
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Lots of admiration and respect for Terra being brave enough to say no and the same for Lucas for not pressuring her. 💙
While I would have obviously preferred to share the moments at the top with her, she was right not to risk it if she didn't feel up to it.
@@lucasterradostuff Who was going to get the harness if she went?
@@lucasterradostuff I honestly would have come down on my butt. Like just coming down on my butt instead of walking down. That way you don't slip. No feet.
@@miked7304 I hope he passed the harness on to someone else headed up.
@@boohere2 Not sure that would have worked w/o holding onto the cable.
A lot of ppl behind you would have been held up, & you would have had to move out of the way enough for oncoming hikers, so they wouldn’t fall trying to get around/step over you.
Just a bad idea, all around.
Lucas, the physical reaction I had watching you creep out to the edge, I almost couldn't watch. I have such a terror of heights, I couldn't do this. Thank you for taking me along virtually! Terra, smart move choosing not to continue on. A profound real-world example of why women live longer than men 🙂
While I did get relatively close the edge, the 360 camera does sort of make it look more dramatic.
@@lucasterradostuff good stuff Lucas, keep up the great work! 👍🏼
@@lucasterradostuffexcuse me,how many miles from NEVADA FALLS TO HALF DOME?.???
Thanks I appreciate it 🙏
I fast forwarded it. I’m safe at home & started to get anxiety as he crept closer to the edge.
Thank you for filming this hike for those of us who will NEVER do it.
Thanks for watching!
@@davewinch7677 Yes…it’s an AWESOME hike!!! ❤️
Not in 10 gazillion years.
Just saw a post that sadly a girl was hiking with her father and they were caught in a rain storm and she sadly fell to her death. That’s how I found this video. I could never hike that. Rest in Peace to that girl.
Me too. Would never do something like this and not expect death as an outcome
I don't think the rain even had hit yet when she slipped. Tragic.
I just posted a similar comment, having earlier today, read the same tragic story. She is gone and her father will never be the same. What for? Have to wonder if there are any other national parks that have as many falling events as Yosemite. BTW looking at the dark rain clouds in the background at 9:23 in.
@@lorir5728 The dad said it was raining.
I saw that too
I've gone to the top of Half Dome 3 times over the years...first time was right out of the Marines in 1992. I'm a lifelong athlete of multiple sports so I'm pretty good in the physically fit, department. This is not your everyday, leisurely hike. My last summit was 3 years ago at the age of 55, it was pretty taxing for me but all in all still a great climb. Good on Terra for knowing her limitations, which is lacking in a lot of people and can easily get you killed. I have likely seen the last of Half Dome but it will always remain as a great memory and an old friend! ✌
Awesome story. Thanks for sharing
@@lucasterradostuff 👍
She made the right decision. you know your limits. Congrats on your climb
thanks
Those harnesses should be a requirement for the cables. I dont understand why people are allowed to go up without them. So many deaths and injuries could be prevented :(
Mad respect to Tara for knowing her strengths! That's the smartest decision anyone can make hiking any trail. Knowing when to say enough.
There was also only 1 harness between them...That stranger gave him.
I hope he paid it fwd to another hiker.
That carabiner wouldn't have held him if he fell at the top of any cable. Also, single is crazy because one could unclip and fall. Using 2 is a little stronger so you can remain clipped while unclipping and connecting to the next stretch. As long as people know the risk I don't believe anyone should be required to use anything.
@@roar1149why isn’t the carabiner strong enough?
Even if it were required.... dumb Americans would ignore it lol.
I’m here because of the lady who lost her life while with her father and I was curious. RIP and glad you enjoyed and made back safely!
Our sincere condolences to her family. Thanks
Her dad's fault.
Personally, I’d be happy just walking the trail right up to the cables. That looks beautiful enough for me!
Exactly 💯
Good for Terra. Trust your gut. I had a hike planned with a friend that goes to a lookout point. The weather just seemed off to me. Long story short we chose a different route and when we got back down to parking lot there was a scene. A fluke wind/rain burst swept someone off to their death. The exact same route we had planned on taking.
Thanks for sharing. Glad you chose the other route.
I did the climb up Half Dome in 1984 and enjoyed it. Back then there were no climb permits required or offered. You just showed up and started climbing the cables (without gloves in my case but it was okay) and nobody had harnesses to hook onto the cables. You just held on. I spent about a half hour on top and watched a couple of guys tossing a football around and a just-married couple had spent two days climbing up the sheer side for their honeymoon and had reached the top while I was there! Suddenly storm clouds moved in and we were all told to evacuate and get down the cables as quick as we could because the granite top of Half Dome attracted lightning. There were about 100 people scampering down the cables, several on the outside of the cables very quickly. We all got down okay and watched the storm pass. Since I'm much older now I won't do it again (I'm physically able though) but it is a wonderful memory and I have some terrific photos.
I can only imagine how scary it would be up there with lightning. Glad everything worked out for you that day! Thanks for sharing!
@@lucasterradostuff I recognized several areas from your video. Really liked it.
My first time up Half Dome was in 1985 the weekend before the group of young men got hit by lightning in the cave and 1 walked off the edge. We waited on sub dome for some clouds to leave. There is no way I would have climbed the day you went. I'm glad your wife didn't go even though nothing happened it was the right choice not going up that lightning rod.
My trip was in 79, I was young and the trip to the top was completely unplanned. I look back at it now and at the time it seemed so easy. The miles covered and the elevation change was impressive for a 10 hour trip, but the cable part didn't even seem to be a challenge. If you made it to the top of the sub-dome, why wouldn't you make the final push? Looking at all of the videos lately, I really wonder if I would be as casual as I was back then?
It Seems that it was made much more dramatic than it actually is - RUclips Drama. When I went, people were on the outside and the inside of the cables, I don't remember anyone whatsoever with a harness and carabiners . I hiked with a family from the UK which included a 10 year old and a 12 year old. It was exciting and breathtaking but not dangerous. On my second trip we were stopped and turned around because someone had committed suicide earlier in the day. 🙁 @@michaelbisnett4845
The sign reads "please evaluate the weather before proceeding". Meanwhile, it's stormy skies and everyone just continues walking up 😂
You say "everyone just continues," but what you didn't see in the video was roughly 80% of people actually turned around and left when the rain started. Only me and a handful of other people decided to continue forward and see if the weather would clear up. Keep in mind, this was around noon and the weather forecast was for a very brief shower in the morning followed by clear sunny skies the rest of the day, and that's exactly what happened.
@@lucasterradostuff nice! Congrats on getting to the top!!
You two are very relatable and real great video. A good lifelong friend of mine lost his beautiful daughter off the cables on half dome. Not sure what all happened but it was so sad and tragic. Every bit of caution is well spent attempting this.
Thank you. I'm so sorry for your friend's loss.
Knowing and respecting your limitations is a good thing. Way back in the early 90's, before permits and the double cables were installed, I faced the single cable and I nixed going any further. It is okay to stop.
Words of wisdom.
Definitely okay to stop and smart. :0)
Awesome video! I did that hike all in one day, and I remember those awful stairs! I was 70 years of age at the time, and the oldest in the group of about 15. Most thought I'd never make it to the top, but I showed them, and almost died in the process! The one good thing was not having to pack all that camping gear up to Little Yosemite Valley. But those stairs going up Vernal Falls, then Nevada Falls, then the Sub Dome were grueling! But at least we had beautiful weather for it, but very crowded cables! We'd go up the 10' or so to the next board and rest a bit. Then, just a short distance from the top of the cables, my legs cramped up on me with double charley horses! Ugh! But it was well worth it when I made it to the top and called my wife at home. It was such an emotional experience that I got all choked up and couldn't talk! She said, "Are you there?" I finally got my voice and said, "Guess where I am? Yup, I made it!" Thank you so much to Mechelle Bertolucci and her Achieve It Fitness group! They encouraged me all the way and waited for me as I "crawled" up all those granite steps! The cables were actually a piece of cake compared to those awful "Stairways to Hell"! Then, after a little over an hour, it was clear back down to Camp Curry. I said, "Never again!", but would you believe, just a few weeks later, I actually thought about doing it again? But a few granite steps on a day hike on the PCT cured me of that! lol
Anyway, I really enjoyed your video! It brought back memories, good & bad.
What an awesome story! I hope I can still hike at 70. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful story my brother God bless you 🙏
@@breeze5524 Thank you
Congrats!
I have done the Half Dome hike a few times. Last time was over a decade ago. I'm 65 now and would like to do it one more time.
Your achieving that goal at 70 gives me hope.
Thanks
@@philcarmichael6090 Thank you, Phil, I am now 78½ and thinking of trying it again for my 80th birthday. But every time I'm hiking up a steep hill, I think, who am I kidding? No way! lol
But if I could just skip all those grueling granite stairs and just go up the cables, I honestly think I could do it. I could use my arms to pull myself up, and not depend on my legs only. "Piece of cake", I think, as I sit here in my recliner, all rested up.
Dude... that 360 shot on the edge... my sphincter was puckered the whole time!
😂
tmi
Can confirm the sphincter puckering
It's so interesting how different brains crave different stimuli. I have no desire whatsoever to do something like this! Wow, how do they do it??!!
Awesome I’m here because of the most recent girl that fell on the same trail from Arizona be safe
It's a truly tragic story. We send our condolences to her family.
The problem is that a lot of people don’t have harness and 2 ropes, even is this video I totally don’t agree with this man having ONE rope, while you unclip you could slip and die, therefore you support to have two ropes.
@@mariyakalynyuk162 I just read about that happening to a guy at half dome. He fell while he was in the process of that very sequence of unclipping and clipping back in.
Smart of Terra to know her limits and not go beyond. I lived in CA for 20 years, and Half Dome is something many friends have done (using climbing harness), not something I could bring myself to do though. High Peaks trail in Pinnacles was bad enuf for me!
Thank you! Just getting to the base of the cables was quite an accomplishment.
We really enjoyed High Peaks in Pinnacles. We have a video of that hike as well (we saw several Condors!!!). 😀
Thanks for this video and your account. A loved one has done this trek, so I appreciate your accounting of it. I applaud Terra for staying behind and following her heart.
Thank you
I nearly died when you walked to the edge of that rock over the cliff holding the 360 camera, way to scary for me, that place is no joke. Thanks for the great video!
Thanks for watching!
Just pure stupidity because people want likes on their video content.
Wow! Great job to both of you! It's challenging just getting to the cables so great job Terra. I had to hold my breath when you got near the edge Lucas, I've been on top two times but never near the edge so now I know what it looks like. You guys both did awesome, thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much!!
So beautiful! I’m with Terra on that one, but good for you, Luke for making it to the top.
I have to admit, she was wise to skip the cable section, but I don't regret doing it. 🙂
Good for you for making it to the bottom.
The trail is more slippery now than in decades past because of the hikers’ boots “polishing” it.
This was definitely true in my experience. I can't imagine what they could do about it, but the section between the cables is definitely more slippery than other areas of granite that haven't been so highly trafficked.
I’m a simple person. I enjoy walking in my local trails and pretending I’m somewhere far away. lol. I’m good. Looked beautiful though. Great that you did it and got to experience it.
👍
Like everybody, Im here because of the girl who fell and your video was attached. You were fully nuts to go up in that weather and lucky to have made it down, especially not repelling style. Oof!!
My hat is off to you two brave souls....what tenacity and grit. Thank you so much for sharing this....God Bless
Thanks for watching!
Just saw a video yesterday of a 20 year old girl that fell down cables and perished. Dad almost caught her. Then, I caught your video! I admire your energy. Looks like you are having a great time but the cables freak me out! Glad the video brought me to yours. You guys are fun!
We heard this story. So sad. We send our condolences to her family.
The stairs would have taken me 3 business days without a backpack.
Cool vid, nice editing! Thx for the tour...now I never have to go lol!
Glad you enjoyed!
I’m a Half Dome daydreamer and can’t thank you enough for being real about the effort this journey takes rather than coming off like a pair of mountain goats who’ve been on the trail your entire lives. 😊
I’ve watched countless half dome videos and the cables look intimidating every single time. Congrats for making it to the top! Maybe one day I’ll have the courage to do it.
Best advice I can give is look straight down at the rock as you're ascending and just focus on taking one step at a time. You can do it!
My daughter did it with friends years ago, her old room mate’s family climbed the face of half dome years ago-😮. Just the other day a young lady fell off El Capitan. Now another young lady lost her life walking half dome with her father. RIP❤.
It is the roll of the dice. I just love looking at the sites in Yosemite from the lower elevation-God’s country-beautiful🌺
Our condolences to her family
Saying "it's only 4,400 feet up" isn't going to get me to go hiking up there.😂
😂
Congrats on your trek.. i found your channel after reading a story about the girl who slipped and died... so sad 😢i admire your bravery and courage.. you 2 stay safe !! ❤🙏
Thank you!
Our condolences to the family of the young woman who tragically fell.
Great video man! I did it about 8 years ago, up and back from Curry Village, all in one day. My only problem besides having never hiked, was carrying too much water. I probably had a gallon in my bladder, which is like 10lbs. I didn't drink 1/5th of it. I thought the cables were the easiest part. I had gloves with a nitrile coating on the palms. Those were like glue on the cables. I never once felt unsafe or even worried. I would love to do the hike again. Besides the gloves, what helped me the most were hiking poles. No joke, I sort of jogged the way down, and the poles saved me from rolling my ankles a couple times. I think it was like 13 hours roundtrip for me. Long day but well worth it.
Thanks for sharing your awesome story!
Thank you for sharing your adventure! 🍁🌲⛰️🐿️
Thanks for watching!
I hope you gifted that harness to somebody else it certainly had a part in saving your life and making your trip up the dome successful I would pass it on if you could
I wish I had paid it forward and gifted the harness to someone. Honestly, after coming down, I was so flooded with adrenaline that I didn't give any thought to the harness until later.
Trekking poles will make your lives markedly easier, especially with heavy packs. Thanks for the video!
I feel like trekking poles would not have been helpful on this particular hike, personally. We saw very few people using them on this trail. That's just my opinion from my experience. Thanks for your advice.
@@lucasterradostuff my wife and I completed this hike last week and the poles were cheat codes, as they always are. How could they not help with 4800’ of gain?
This video somehow popped up in my queue. I'm glad I watched. It helped me determine that decades ago as a young Marine,I too climbed half dome with my platoon. My memory is not so good but I have pictures and they match your surroundings at the top.
Awesome story. Thanks for sharing!
Great job , I have hiked from Tuolumne Meadows to Curry Village five times, Did Half Dome once going down ,a great hike best ever. If I was going up to little Yosemite Valley for the Half Dome hike, I would go past the trail head for the stairs to Vernal Falls, across the bridge 50 feet or so and hike the mule trail to Nevada falls no steps you can set your pace, Your hiking on the other side of the valley, then hike down the steps ,great video. Terra the 1st time I tried the dome I got a little Vertigo , I went down with no shame. I did it 2 years later with my 16 year old son. good decision on your part. I always say know your limit and have fun. I really like your video good job, your both good hikers.
Amazing, scary, and beautiful! You both are great 👍🏻
Thank you so much!
Just scary to me… But yes I admire those who aren’t afraid
Being clipped on and using gloves is a very sensible move! I would not want to do this without those two items!
And surprisingly, most don't use a harness and some even do it without gloves
@@lucasterradostuff Those people don't take into account the possibility of bad weather or the possibility that someone above them might fall on them knocking them off. I saw people climbing huge ladders on cliffs in France without using the available harness points or any securing rope. Crazy.
Beautiful and scary! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching
Thank you so much for sharing ❤ it is a beautiful video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice vid. Thanks for sharing. That’s def. not for everyone ! And good idea doing the base camp thing.
Thanks
the view, right under the clouds, is unbelievable in beauty and awe OMG!
It is quite stunning
WOW, that's all I can say, YOU DID IT !!!!!
Thank you!
Just ran across your video, and channel! HELLO, from the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Hello!
Kudos to you all...Super kudos to the cable installers. 👍👍👍😬😬😬😎😎😎
Thanks 👍
Good job!! Have been to Yosemite twice but never made it to half-dome. This is a very insightful video, and motivating. Thanks for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video!! Thank you for this!! I know making a video definitely takes way more time while on my hikes. I have a playlist of Yosemite from two years ago. You should see the vernal falls video. My wife and I hikes to it and it was amazing!! Waterfall was roaring and it started to snow on us!
I'll check it out!
That was smooth. Well done.
Not too difficult. Just have the right gear.
👍
Years ago we were on half dome cap when a thunder and lightening storm quickly came up around us. My long hair began to stand out straight from my head. We quickly scurried down the cables and minutes later the lightening was striking right where we were standing. WATCH YOUR WEATHER!! 👋👱♀️🇺🇲
Lightning strike was definitely on my mind while up there. Fortunately, we never saw lightning, nor heard any thunder that day.
Aww I hiked to the top of Nevada falls and half dome was another 8 miles from there. I’ve always wanted to go back. 30 yrs later, I don’t remember any stairs but I was also 16yrs old and not carrying a backpack. I dont think we even carried water. Them good ol days. Lol. Thank you for making this video. Its helpful info. I would do this today! Rest in peace to those who dared and died doing what they love. Prayers for the families. 👣🌈🦋
I just did this in one day, back and forth all the way up and down. "Thought" I was in good shape. I made it, but I was lucky to have friends that did it before and prepared me properly (hike accomplished 5/29/24 about 10.5 hours). There was way more water than this video! I thought I would never consider doing this again, but here I am, sore AF, watching this video haha.
That's awesome!
That really conveyed just how scary, steep and exposed that climb is.😳
Thanks
It's always great getting into the nights stop when it's dark and not being able to see anything and then daylight comes
😄 Yeah we definitely should have set out earlier. Lessons were learned.
Amazing trails. I'd hugely recommend walking poles for those big gradients and heavy packs. Saves on the knee wear....
Thanks for the advice
@@lucasterradostuff walking poles absolutely ! and were you wearing jeans ? heavy, not flexible, get cold when wet etc. .....
I hiked up on a calm day but the winds really picked up as I got to the subdome. I almost turned back but pressed on, briefly in fear for my life. The cables were far steeper than I expected but not that bad once I started climbing. Did the whole trip in about 9 hours and it was well worth it. I still got sweaty palms watching you approach the edge.
Me and two friends did this in 1978. Spent the night in Little Yosemite where a very large bear scared the C**p out of us at night. The bext day climed up and down the cables. Going down definitely scary! It's like trying to walk up a giant basketball. Im glad I did it..
Awesome story!
It was just a single cable back then.
I can never ever do any of this stuff but always wonder how it is up there so thank you for your post!! I enjoyed it so much with my palms dripping with sweat! lol
Glad you enjoyed it!
I loved you and your lady's energy . Well done brother and dont pay any attention to the negative comments .
Thank you so much!
Man great job I wish I had someone to hike with that will keep pushing like this!
Thank you
Having people passing each other going up and down is the insane part...
Look up pictures of before the permit system. At times there were hundreds of people crowding the cables at the same time. People would use the outside of the cables to go around the traffic. That was insane.
Things have changed apparently. Back in the 80s we climbed Half Dome three times, spending the night on top, no permits required. The last time we got to the cables at 8:45 p.m. to a full moon! For anyone planning to go, it is much easier to go up using the Muir Trail and coming down using the Mist Trail. It is longer going up but much easier. Save your thighs for when you have to climb the stairs on the Shoulder before getting to the cables. My first time I was so nervous I got about 20 yards up the cables and turned around. A woman saw me as she was coming down and handed me her gloves. Very nice, but, after I put them on I went up again and couldn’t even feel the cables and immediately came down and handed them to someone else. I managed to pull myself together and up we went. If you have a strong fear of heights the key is to just look straight down at the rock as you take each step. Pay no attention to that view, lol. It took us about twenty minutes. More scary for me was how many people were on the cables going both up and down. You quickly figure it out when passing people to just stop and hang on to your side of the cable. Know this - the rock is very slippery because it is worn and you just need to take one step at a time and pay attention. No one was using a harness back then but it might not be a bad idea. Never ever go up the cables if it has been raining and the rock is wet, unless you are looking for a Darwin Award. There are multiple signs regarding lightning. It is real. My husband on a trip with his friends held off and camped in the forest below the Shoulder due to rain. The group in front of him went ahead and the next morning they were recovering a body using helicopters! In this video they show them coming back down the cables face forward. We tried that the first time but it very quickly gets steep. It is a hundred times easier to back down!! To make this point, about half way up or down the cables it is as steep as being on a ladder. No one comes down a ladder facing forward. If coming down the Mist Trail it is narrow, steep and often wet and slippery. Definitely not for people with knee issues. It is beautiful and worth doing if you pay attention. Great video and views. I respect the wife taking a pass. No one should be pressured if they don’t feel comfortable and confident in their own abilities. A fun fact, a 93 year old man made it to the top in 2023. So go do this if it is on your bucket list. I will always feel fortunate to have seen three sunsets and three sunrises up on top! 😊
Wow, 3 times?! And spending a night up there?! That's impressive!
Things have certainly changed. These days, camping is explicitly forbidden on the summit of Half Dome.
@@matthewstorm5188 I have heard that. Probably because they don’t want all those people up there doing their business!! 😮
@@barnowlwatcher I’m sure that’s a part of it. Think of how well people comply with the ‘pack it out’ requirements on Mount Whitney. I’m sure they wouldn’t be any better on Half Dome. But there are other issues. Think of how crowded with tents it would be up there if they allowed camping. That would certainly take away from the experience. There are also issues with safety, including the dangers of electrical storms and people climbing the cables with large overnight packs. Plus, permits are only for one day.
@@matthewstorm5188 Not a single tent I can remember on any of the three times I spent the night up there. There are low rock walls people put together a very long time ago so when you are laying flat it helps protect against the wind. It is much larger than you might think. I don’t remember any trash either! But, of course we did have to do our “business” and bury it, lol. But times have changed and it doesn’t matter where you are, they carelessly leave their trash behind, fishing line, crap all over the beach, etc. The lighting warnings are for real. There are well posted signs to not be on the cables when raining or even if you see thunder cells way off in the distance. My X and his friends went on a trip and it started raining. They held back but another group kept going. One guy was struck at the top (where the rock cave is) and plunged off the face! They got to watch the helicopter come in for the retrieval. I suppose you get a Darwin Award when you are warned and do it anyway!
I did this hike with my dad when I was 10 years old. Great memories.
Awesome!
Smart to clip in! Congrats! Looks very cool. Did Angels Landing. Doubt I’ll do this one.
Thanks! We also did Angel's Landing. I would say they are equally "scary," but Half Dome is more difficult just because of the distance. It's like 3x longer than Angel's Landing. Would love to do either of them again though, because they are both incredible experiences.
I like that Terra didn’t feel pressured to do what wasn’t right for her. See I’m married to a geologist and a super adventurous person. I’m the opposite. Idd be content to watch a video. There’s always a tension between us. I feel I have to be this party pooper all the time. But sorry if I don’t feel it I don’t feel it!! I just hate the way I feel for declining his suggestions. Because it’s not like he is okay no worries it’s the face he makes. I hate it.
That’s really sad. Hope you get some couples counseling
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
First Corinthians 13: 4-8.
He is shaming you. He is invalidating you as a person. You have to be willing to lose him. Sit him down and ask him if it's a deal breaker that you don't want to go on his crazy adventures. Be prepared he may say yes. See if you can find a compromise (you go but don't do the crazy parts you stay back and make lunch and read a book). If you can't find a compromise and he is truly unhappy, the marriage is doomed. You see, those faces are toxic and a window into the health of your marriage. No matter what he needs to USE HIS WORDS. We say this to toddlers. Toxic body language is unacceptable. Discuss it and be willing to compromise. If he isn't, he's too rigid for marriage and is full of resentment and contempt.
That’s unfortunate. I’m the adventurous person who loves to have company, but I never encourage anyone who is apprehensive. Fear can save your life and I respect it.
@@WilliamsPinch it’s not good to mix dating with your hobbies. Find another man to go mountaineering with.
Heavy packs with no hip belts, no trekking poles, no water bladders, and wearing heavy jeans to hike all day?? You two were asking for a challenging! Lol
Both of our packs had hip belts. In our experience, trekking poles would have been more of a hinderance than an asset. We had plenty of water and a filter to use at the river. The jeans I wear are not "heavy," at least not in my opinion and they have elastic woven into the fabric that makes them very stretchy. Maybe not the way you would choose to hike this, but it worked for us.
Wow I really got a good feel from ur footage
Ty so much
and I felt so happy for you when you got out to the top!
Thanks for the comment!
Yw! I love your and your loved one energy! You both seem really nice, chill, kind n fun.
I would have hiked to the spot your wife did, Congratulations hiking all the way up, beautiful views.
Thanks 👍
It's Slicker than Snot, when it's Dry. In the 60s, it was good friction on 45 degree rock, but tourists Sliding down the rock has Polished it.
Go barefoot if you don’t want to slip off
I can attest that it is pretty slick in spots, even when dry.
GAHHHH I remember doing this for the time and boy was it tiring. I did the same route you guys took. This is giving me major nostalgic vibes. I miss Yosemite.
Thanks for sharing your story!
Thanks for posting this video. What a wonderful place and hike! I’m thinking about going to Yosemite next year but just to see some waterfalls and hike “normal” trails😂❤.
I plan to hike the sub some soon. Although, I will not be doing the cables! I’d be happy to just get the views after the stairs. Thanks for the video. And you’ve got great hair!
Thanks, have a great time
Such a lovely place to be in. All the best. ❤
Yes! Thank you!
Je suis un grand randonneur, surtout en France et en Suisse...je rêve de parcourir le Yosemite...
Très jolie vidéo, c'était dur je crois mais quelle superbe récompense.
From France with love
Excellent content.
I live in Fresno and have never been.
Now I feel like I have, lol.
Thank you
Awesome! Thank you!
Thanks for showing your adventure, I would love to just see half dome but has been a dream to go to the top maybe one day, amazing video and thanks for sharing
Thank you for the comment. It was also a dream for me for many years. You can do it!
Best vid to give a great sense of what it’s like to get the top❤
Thank you
Beautiful views
Just incredible, right?!
There are literally a ton of one day climb vids for youtube. I think doing it in one day is the way to go, weather permitting. I am also glad to see your friend decided not to try. Physically, she's in no shape to attempt the cables. I'm glad she thought better of it!
Half Dome is definitely worth the planning and physical exhaustion. I was up there in September as well. Though it was my second time it was just as amazing. If you sit around thinking about climbing Half Dome I say go get your permit and actually do it. Forever memories.
Totally agree!
PS BEAUTIFUL footage!!
Thank you
So cool! I wanna do it someday. Looks fun
Go for it!
Hey, that was so cool I hiked that mountain a couple times,
nice
GOOD FOR YOU BROTHER!!! I HAVE BEEN UP THERE AMAZING, I GOT TO GO WHEN I WAS A KID. I DONT REALLY KNOW ABOUT NOW. LOL
Thanks. As a kid were you scared at all?
I too have done this hike in the early part of November a few years ago... Went to Little Yosemite Campground for 1 night, it was a long day for us.. It's no joke, those stairs are a killer, yet I don't regret doing it and would do it again if I had the opportunity..
It is an epic undertaking, but so worth it. I look forward to doing it again someday also, especially with the lessons learned from this first experience.
Your footage at the top is awesome.
Thank you!
Thanks for all the great views. Nice videi!
Thanks for watching!
Congratulations 🎉🎉👏👏
Thank you!!
Nice video! Thanks.
Thank you too!
Nice video, Just give a idea of what to expect, 🎉
thanks
Rip to her and blessings to her beautiful family
Our condolences to her family
You’re footage is great.
Thank you!
My hands are sweaty and shaking watching the end😮
my hands got sweaty watching this!
😆
Brave guy! I could never.
😉
Happy your spouse was true to herself saying that she cannot go on. If she’d lie to herself and was afraid her outcome probably wouldn’t end up good. Praises to her.
I agree. Those cables require a lot of confidence. If you aren't feeling it, don't force it.