Half Dome

We woke to the sound of rain at 4:30 Thursday morning.  We were bummed, thinking they would close half dome due to weather.  What the heck, let's go for it,so we got up and by 6  am we were on our way.  We got to Yosemite valley a little after 7,  just missed the first shuttle the next one would be at 7:30.  We finally get on the shuttle going to stop 16.  By this time I have giant butterflies in my stomach.  This is such a big under taking for me, not only climbing half dome but the grueling hike itself.  There is a 4800 ft elevation gain from start to the top of the dome.  The last 900 ft is climbing cables to the top.  By the time we start I am feeling pretty good, telling my self over and over you can do it.

Steps and more steps :P

We are taking the Mist trail to the top of Nevada Falls which takes you directly through the swirling mist and rainbow shrouded Vernal Falls.

Vernal Falls

Vernal Falls in the Mist

 We have to walk right next to it.  It is quite steep going this way but they have but steps in that make it some what easier.  I don't think I want to see steps again after going up these.  The fall is spectacular.  You are walking through the mist on very slippery steps and getting cold and wet,  but you are so much in awe that you don't even notice.
 Once we are past  Vernal and Nevada Falls  the trail takes us up, up, up through the forest with all it's great smells.    As we go up in altitude I get a little bit slower, Joe was about 5 min a head of me.  He was taking a break when I reached him, but I kept going.  I barely got around the next couple of switch backs when I wasn't able to get any water out of my camel.  My first thought was that the hose was kinked.  No such luck, my camel was completely dry.  It holds 3 liters of water it couldn't possibly be empty.  I try not to panic,after all there is all this water around us that should be clean for drinking.  When Joe gets to me, he empties one of his water bottles into my camel and I had one small bottle to add to it.  We still don't know what happened to my water, it was full when started that morning and I don't drink that much water, just another mystery.

Nevada Falls

Steep Trail

We are off again and I am doing pretty good at keeping up with Joe.  That all changes once we see the sign that says 2 miles to half dome, it is 12:00 and I can't believe I am almost there.  At this point Joe picks up his speed and I slow down.  The altitude is making me feel sluggish.  I reach the bottom of quarter dome,  which you walk straight up, at least that is what it felt like.

Struggling up

Still struggling

Finally at the top

It is now 1 o'clock.  I finally make it to the top of this steep climb, more steps which I was thankful for, at 2:00, I did better than I thought I would.

Joe's view from the top

My first view of the cables

Beautiful view from the top

Joe's boot shot

No break, I went straight to the cables before I had time to think about it.  There is a pile of gloves to pick from so you don't slip on the cables, I picked a snazzy red pair the lots of grip.  Looking up to the top I couldn't believe I was going to do this.  The first few steps weren't to bad, but each step got harder.  You are trying to walk, pull, yourself up a 75 to 80 degree angle.  It got so steep that my arms would not pull me up any more further, so at about half way I had to turn around.  I was disappointed but thrilled I at least gave it a shot.  Joe walked me back down the cables, then he went to the top.

This is up there with my best hikes ever.  The hike back down took forever.  We started at 8 in the morning and finished at 8 that night.  This was a very grueling 12 hr day and we enjoyed every minute of it.

Our view on the way down, Nevada Fall with Half Dome in the far background