August 16, 2024 - Half Dome!

 

Half Dome Sunset from the Backpacker's Campground in Yosemite Valley August 11, 2024.  


My Tour du Mont Blanc training hiking this past week was special.  I've always wanted to hike to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park.  I've seen it from the bottom many times, but not from the top.  This last week I finally did it together with my son, Nick, who turned 28 while we were there.

For people who are new to my Tour du Mont Blanc blog, please take a look at my very first blog entry on July 1 for an explanation.

I'll start with my training totals since July 1, 2024

Distance hiked: 189 miles (305 km) (goal 200 miles)
Ascent hiked: 28,671 feet (8,739 m) (goal 30,000 ft)

Several months ago I got a permit to hike Half Dome on August 13.  Many people do the full 15 mile, 5,700 ft. ascent round trip in one day, but I decided to get a wilderness permit for a night in Little Yosemite Valley, about half way to Half Dome.  An additional benefit of that is that when you have a wilderness permit you are allowed to stay in the backpacker's campground near the trailhead for one night before your trip and one night after.  That allowed us to have some tourist time in Yosemite Valley as well.  The down side of that plan is that we had to hike with full overnight backpacking gear for half the trip.

Half Dome is one of the most famous mountains in California.  It is solid granitic rock that has been carved and polished by glaciers from the last ice age.  It is undoubtedly the most recognizable feature overlooking Yosemite Valley.  It's a steep hike to get to the last section where there are cables anchored into the rock for the last 400 feet of ascent.  It....is....scary!  like walking straight up a cliff.  It's incredibly exhilarating too.  And when you get to the top, it is table top flat with a truly spectacular.360 degree view. 


With full overnight backpacking gear

Getting closer!  Approaching the back side.

With Nick right before climbing the cables up to the top

On top of Half Dome Aug. 13, 2024.  I don't have any selfies of me climbing the cables.  It's not a great place to pause and pull out a slippery phone!

Looking down the cables from the top.  If you can zoom you can see the tiny shadows of people standing at the bottom.

A panorama view of the top of Half Dome.


Nick and I at the top overlooking Yosemite Valley

Half Dome from the bottom the morning of the next day, August 14, 2024.


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