Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Half Dome

My girlfriend and I are heading up to Half Dome this Memorial Day weekend. Why? Because it is there and we want to see for ourselves how crowded it really gets! Weather looks good according to the forecasts (lows 30s/highs 60s). Our route is going up Mist Trail, summit, and come down John Muir. I like to plan an early start at around 5:00 a.m. and take up to 12-13 hours to complete. Hopefully less in time for happy hour! We are not speed-hikers. I will be bringing a shell and a pack cover for the both of us. I was forewarned of this by TeamBruin. Gloves we got. Camera ready (with extra batteries inside my extra pair of hiking socks). Should I be concerned about ice anywhere along the way? My girlfriend is not an experienced hiker. It is our first attempt and I am just in the final preparation phase. I know about the bears. TeamBruin provided me a detailed trip report from their summit last year. Any other advice out there will be greatly appreciated!

i'm also going up half-dome for the first time in july, with rookie hiker wife in tow, and welcome the perspectives. can a rookie hiker wife, who is in good cardio shape, make it up to the cables? not sure she can do the cables but she said she'll go as far as she can and wait. and how long does it take to get up the cables to summit? last, any must-read guides on yosemite? thanks.

I'll be there this Saturday with my friend Kacy and her two adult sons. We will stay on the JMT and avoid the mist trail since I hear it gets very misty and it is steeper and more rugged than the JMT. Kacy's sons have hiked to the top before. I imagine we will have a great time. I'll be curious to see how crowded it gets since many of my hikes I do solo and rarely see another soul. Even in the high summer season I didn't feel that the Whitney main trail was too crowded and the summit is large enough that you can find your own place to chill. While hiking on the main trail I would sometimes go for an hour and a half before running into someone. First time I did Telescope peak the summit was so crowded that it was hard to find room to sit. The second time I went I got an early start passed one fellow and then got to the summit solo and enjoyed the peace and solitude. I'm real excited about half dome so it will surely be quite an experience, even if it's a zoo. Best of luck on your hike.

Rafael...

the first time I did HD, one of our group got to the cables and no further. She had slickish tennis shoes, and could not grip the 45-50 degree granite. Altho plenty of people wear whatever, I recommend lug soles boots or knobby soles of some sort.

Have done HD from Hsppy Isles, Glacier Point, and Tenaya Lake. Start at 4:30 am and you will have dawns purple light to yourself!

The gloves are best used for coming down, sorta sliding along with your arms out gripping both cables. Helps to have long arms. Smaller folks can be seen "hugging" one cable with both arms. Kinda awkward.

Mist Trail going up is fun. The wet doesn't matter, you should be carrying a raincoat anyway. Depending on water flow and wind, you might not get much mist.

Coming back down the JMT instead of Mist is longer but gentler on the knees as it avoids steps. Mist is more scenic.

Hope this helps. Harvey

+@ti2d,
If your girlfriend or you get sore knees on steep stepping down then trekking poles are a must for halfdome. As has been stated before, the granite between the cables is worn pretty slick so the more rubber you have in contact with it the better. I've done the whole hike in approach shoes and in boots and find both to work well but wouldn't dream of a running or trail shoe for it. As far as gloves go, do yourself a huge favor and get some that have some sort of grippy material on the palms. The cables are also somewhat slick from heavy use and the more grip you have, the better. If your nerves can handle it, it is actually better to go on the outside of the cables as there is a ton more grip on the rock out there and WAY fewer people. The bummer about doing it on a crowded day is that there are always some people who freak out on the cables and get stuck. Too afraid to go up or down and so there are these log gams as a result. That's the best reason to use the outside of the cable area both up and down. Of course, it is riskier because there are no people out there to stop you if you fall and no 2x4 cross braces to rest on either. But if you're light and in great shape, it's the way to go.

One problem with the cables is that the majority of people who get nervous on the cables find it more terrifying going down than going up. Thus, some people don't realize that they will have a problem until it is too late, causing the problem WhitRat mentions of people who won't go down or up -- they get part way up, look down, realize that they are terrified of going down, so don't want to go up further and get stuck even worse, but don't want to go down. Or then there are people who don't get freaked out until on their way down, and they won't go up because they've already been up, they need to get down.

Have the rookies look down early on. Early on try going back down from one cross brace to the next to see if it is comfortable, and do that again when it starts to get steeper. Sure, it is not the best idea to lose 10 feet of gain only to have to do it again, but still, it is better to test ability to go down early on when it won't be as serious a problem. Once you have gone all the way up, there is really no choice but to come all the way down.

I've been to the top of HD twice. Bring flashlights and extra batteries in case you're still on the trail after the sunlight is gone.

I see a couple of problems:

When you say that your g/f is not an experienced hiker, this strikes me as an invitation for trouble. I can think of all the things, such as dehydration, elevation gain, pacing, nutrition, sun protection.....that experienced folks take for granted and take care of....that she will not, and has the potential for coming home in a big way, when she has to hike down.

I am also concerned about your prep. You mention a pack cover. I cannot conceive of why you need one. If you have rain on the way up or back, it is because there is a storm, and you should be GETTING OFF THE MOUNTAIN, because of the extreme lightning danger! I don't know what you mean about bears? I spent three days with the bear biologist from Yosemite last month, and she mentioned nothing about bears rolling hikers.

For an inexperienced hiker, this is a lot of distance, and a lot of elevation gain to handle. She should have equivalent distances at the very least, already under her belt, or she is likely to have a miserable time.

make sure you have moleskin and tape, and know how to use them.

There will be no ice.

g'luck with whatever you decide!

On the cable section, the sticky your shoes the better. My hiking boots slipped a little. If I ever do it again, I might rent some climbing shoes just to make things easier. It's still doable in boots. You might want to get some gripper type gloves too. Whatever you go through to get there, the view will be worth it.

Oh yeah..........ten essentials, ten essentials, ten essentials!

I just got back from Yosemite last night and several people in our group, who had never hiked the trail before, started out late and turned back around 2:30 pm just above Little Yosemite Valley (a backpacker campground) after hearing how much further they had to go from people coming down. You have the right idea about starting very early as I have been up there twice on non-holiday weekends when the cables were gridlocked before noon.

If you are that new to hiking, you may also want to consider hiking up Sentinel Dome before you consider Half Dome. It is almost as high as Half Dome but only 2.2 miles round trip and less than 1,000 foot elevation gain. You pick up the trail on the road to Glacier Point so you are already up above 7,000 feet when you start. You also can practice the feel of hiking up bare rock since you will be doing that if you make it as far as the quarter dome (that precedes Half Dome).

Also, your weather report was a bit conservative for Yosemite Valley. The highs were in the 70s and the lows were in the 40s over the weekend. The park goes from 4,000 feet up to over 10,000 feet so no forecast fits all areas of the park.

You also can check out the last discussion here on Half Dome and see a picture of how bad the traffic jam can get on the cables at Half Dome 8-12-06.

Whoa! Thank you all for your replies!

Just to let you know the specifics about me and my girlfriend:

"Inexperienced" may have been the wrong word. She does a lot of trail running, but I understand it is a different set of rules when one straps a pack on. She has hiked with me 3 times thus far and seems to hold her own. She did extremely well on the Mt. Wilson Trail (14 miles RT) a couple of weeks ago with me and TeamBruin. Where she goes, I go. Her safety, as well as mine, is "first, last and always." She has an issue with her left foot and I will be constantly asking/nagging her on the condition of that foot.

We both know our limitations. Getting up is optional, getting down is mandatory. Yes, I know this all too well. 1:00 p.m. is our cutoff/turnaround time. If we ain't, we turn around. I apply this cut-off time to all of my hikes whether Whitney or Santiago Peak. My axiom: "Not today, definitely tomorrow."

Pack covers are for the Mist Trail part. I am aware of being on the lookout for cumulonimbus clouds ("puffy clouds") and know when to get my _ss off the mountain. We both have shells in case we need it.

Gloves we got. I have climbing gloves and realize that "may" not suffice. The gardeners gloves with the little nubbies will be "on hand" at all times.

We both have trekking poles and know how to use them correctly. We will leave the tips on as an extra safety measure.

I do have a climbing harness and I "may" wear it to clip us both in if I have to. If not it will be in my pack nonetheless.

We will also pack our 10 Essentials. You can guarantee it I never leave home without them. Actually I use the "14-Modified" version.

She has the moleskin, I have the duct tape. I am placing duct tape on my Achille's heel right from the get go! I will encourage her to do the same.

I am not worried about the bears, although she is. Again, her safety is my Number One priority and I am not trying to be chivalrous here. I just hope we see one. We are in its "playground" and we will respect its habitat and keep our distance.

The weather forecasts were compliments of The Weather Channel. I understand five plus or minus degrees Fahrenheit. I am closely monitoring the weather up there. My girlfriend's brother lives near Oakhurst.

My number one concern is our boots. My Montrails don't have the traction I feel I need for this kind of surface. Again, during some point where I am walking on the exposed granite, I will turn around and check the traction. If it doesn't work, then I guess we have preprandial libations at the local boozer.

Rafael, hope to see you. Both of us will be wearing white shirts (TeamBruin prefers The North Face UCLA blue). I will be sporting a red USMC baseball cap. I should stand out.

Well, time to step off my dais. I promise to provide a TR.

"To the summit and safe return." Now, where have I heard that before?

(posted before reading "+@ti2d"'s post immediately above)

Hey Ken:

Mist Trail = mist.
Mist = dampness.
Dampness = wet pack and body.
Shell and pack cover = dry pack and body.

And in my experience, the shell and pack cover work better than the old Mist Trail standby, the poncho.

As for bears, they're there ... at least one UNTAGGED bear ... in the woods section between Little Yosemite Valley and the SubDome. More shy and disinterested than anything else, but people should simply be aware of and prepared for the possibility of encountering one. We did, as it lumbered by about 25' away from us as we came around a corner. And it was a big, healthy one at that.

+ @ti2d

We will probably start between 5:30 and 6:00 in the morning. I'll keep my eyes peeled for you. I will probably wear a light blue long sleeved shirt or an obnoxiously bright orange short sleeved shirt if the weather is good. I will be accompanied by my friend who is a good looking 50 year old blond and her two adult sons both in their early 20s. Best of luck.

Rafael...

It sounds like you're prepared well enough, and are leaving early enough, so have a great time! The pack cover puzzled me also; I'd suggest just a cheap poncho. If your pack isn't too big, it will cover you and the pack for the short mist trail climb. Getting wet on the mist trail is fun on a hot day, but not early in the morning with Half Dome ahead of you. As others mentioned, the John Muir Trail is a nice way to return; even though it's longer, I've checked the actual time it takes and it's really no longer than the mist trail, timewise.

I think you'll find that the gardener's gloves with the rubber nubs will be the nicest for going up. Those cables are very smooth and slick.

With your 1:00 turnaround, even taking your time (as is my preference also) you should have a good amount of time to spend on top and enjoy it...that's something some folks overlook.

We're headed up next Wednesday, hopefully after the Memorial weekend rush.

Sounds good. I think you'll find that the hiking boots work fine.

I would skip the mist protection altogether -- just go light. If you practice the mountain rule of "wear no cotton", synthetic fabric dries so quickly, any moisture will be gone just past the top of Vernal Falls.

As for gloves, bare skin grips far better on the way up. Gloves make the effective cable diameter larger than is comfortable. You don't get any friction on the way up, so keep the gloves in the pack. It is on the way down that you want gloves. They allow you to slide your hand down the cable and move with ease. And for sliding, you don't want those rubber nubs. Leather is my first choice.

For shoes, I prefer low-top running shoes. I wear New Balance. With arthritis in my right ankle due to a break 35 years ago, I do use an ankle support, though, and use hiking poles.

Now, unless you are really intimidated at the cables, using the outside will give you double the traction. The path between the two is polished by the thousands upon thousands of people who have gone before you, and is therefore more slippery. And by using the outside, you are not bound by the guy in front of you who is frozen with fear.

Finally, you did not mention water. You need to carry two quarts apiece from the last water -- the spring on the left side of the trail, by a downed log, about 15 minutes above the Clouds Rest trail junction. And I don't use a water filter from the Merced river or from the spring, but you may want to.

Consider this yosemite discussion forum for more talk:
http://yosemitenews.info/forum/list.php?f=1

OH and another thing:

The second switchback on the main Mount Whitney Trail after the north fork creek crossing is approximately the same altitude as the top of Half Dome. So when you reach the Half Dome summitgasm, remember that the peak of Mt. Whitney is a mere 5,700 feet above you. Don't look up!

Kudos on your future summit

I have done Half Dome many times including last Saturday and I believe nearly anyone in descent shape and enough time can make it to the steps. Once to the steps the trail becomes steep and exposed, especially for newbies and many stop there. I have a neighbor who never hikes and it took him nearly 16 hours to complete and I have done it in a little over five hours. Most people in good condition can complete it in under ten hours without too much difficulty. Leave very early or it will take much longer because of the crowds of people. I am always amazed and amused by the hords of people that head for the top without even a water bottle. There is no water source on the trail once you pass Little Yosemite Vallley and it gets very hot. If you are not bringing a filter you will need a minimum of 2 to 3 liters of water each. I hike Yosemite all the time and it is always crowded in the valley until the late in the fall. By the way if you take a right 2 miles before the top of Half Dome you can get awesome veiws and a trail to yourself on the way to Clouds Rest. This trail offers unique views of Half Dome but is long and hard. I used it in preperation for Whitney last year and found it nearly as difficult but with less altitude. Have a blast at one of the "Greatest Places On Earth".
First 14

+@ti2d, what's the story? Did you guys make summit?