Half Dome in Yosemite - How hard is that climb???

[Barry]

Wife and I are going to Half Dome in September and have seen videos of the climb to the top. Looks fairly strenuous, and dangerous. Anyone of average fitness done it? Comments?

Thanks...

Barry

[seabee1]

Depends on which route you take up. I think 5.11b is the easiest route.

And are you freeing it or aiding it?

[WallyWhirled]

Assuming you're planning to hike the Mist Trail, it's one of the most awesome day hikes ever. Leave EARLY. Take lots of water or some type of filter so you don't have to carry as much. If you leave your packs unattended at the cables be aware that the animals know how to open zippers. Bring flashlights. I've needed them every time for the return trip. Bring a camera and extra batteries. The hike itself is long and hard, can be greuling but not really difficult. Leave EARLY.

[AdventurePoser]

Originally Posted by WallyWhirled

Assuming you're planning to hike the Mist Trail, it's one of the most awesome day hikes ever. Leave EARLY. Take lots of water or some type of filter so you don't have to carry as much. If you leave your packs unattended at the cables be aware that the animals know how to open zippers. Bring flashlights. I've needed them every time for the return trip. Bring a camera and extra batteries. The hike itself is long and hard, can be greuling but not really difficult. Leave EARLY.

+1

[traveltoad]

Gloves used to be a good idea for the cables... but it has been a while since I was up there.

[scottmac]

You need to get a permit now to climb Haf Dome. You might want to
check into it before you go.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm

[oldtrucks]

Leave as early as you can, once the crowds hits the cables the line comes to a standstill.

Last time I went up we left at midnight under a full moon and had about an hour before the sun came up. Pretty awesome experience watching the sun rise with no crowds. By the time we started down the lower section was already starting to get crowded

[K0ncept]

Originally Posted by oldtrucks

Leave as early as you can, once the crowds hits the cables the line comes to a standstill.

Last time I went up we left at midnight under a full moon and had about an hour before the sun came up. Pretty awesome experience watching the sun rise with no crowds. By the time we started down the lower section was already starting to get crowded

all very good advice above, esp the permitt requierment now, and the best time would be to start no later than 4am, 2am is even better with headlamps...

Here is the way I prefer to do it, lol

http://youtu.be/ICBrXUuwvgg

http://www.youtube.com/embed/ICBrXUuwvgg

[seabee1]

Sorry, I thought when you said climb, that you were climbing half dome. You're hiking half dome. Don't know about that. Never been up it that way.

[ballisticexchris]

It's around a 18mile round trip from the valley. I did that climb when I was out of shape (July 09) and 253 lbs. I rode my Ninja from OC, to campgrounds, did a 3 mile day hike next day to acclimate, got to the valley at 0230 got back from the hike at 1930. 17 hr hike for me with NO POLES. Make sure you bring hiking poles or you will be hurting coming back down.

I was fucking spent! Most people in shape make the round trip in around 10-12 hrs. That hike was a turning point in my life. I have since lost about 70 lbs and have kept it off for the last 2 years. For me, getting up to and climbing the cables was easy. Coming down was rough.

[team ftb]

Originally Posted by seabee1

Sorry, I thought when you said climb, that you were climbing half dome. You're hiking half dome. Don't know about that. Never been up it that way.

There is also a wonderful 5.7 route up the opposite flank of the cables. From parking lot, up and back is all day and a lovely easy route and no crowds at all other than battling the cable crowd on the way down.

[dzrtracin]

Looks tough from this point of view, sure is purety though!

[kbblue]

I'd say take the 450 with a fresh knobby to be sure to get over the hikers. A little tricky coming down.

[shasta650]

Nice lo pressure trials tire works well !

[OhioPT]

I did the 18 mile hike 11 years ago with some friends. I was visiting from Ohio, and had not done any hiking yet there (so not acclimated to the altitude). We started around 7 am and got back down around 5 or 6 pm. My quads were cramping really bad in the last 30 minute of the ascent, but I came back down fine. I was in okay shape: not really training hard or anything, but would work out with weights and a little cardio a few days a week. I am 6'3" and was about 220 lbs at the time. After reading the other replies here, I guess we really hauled ass that day. Definately take a filter so you can refill your hydration packs around half way up.

Oh, and the experience is incredible. One of the coolest things I've done in my life, and all in one day.