Trip to a few parks out west. Spent most of the time in Yosemite. Just before we left, we applied to the lottery to climb the cables at Half Dome, and won.

This is a long hike with a lot of elevation. Final numbers for my hike: 16.7 miles, 5246' of elevation gain and just under 12 hours. I was sore the next two days after. We got up at 4am and were on the trail before sunrise with headlamps.

This is an amazing hike if you enjoy the outdoors. It's hard for sure, but rewarding. We were called old by two young laddies we ran into a few times throughout the hike. Don't think they realized it, but said I hope we can do this when we are your age. I just laughed.

That is awesome! I take it you were roped in for the actual half-dome portion? I hate heights, but I'd jump on thae chance to do that. And yeah, I don't doubt you were sore...that's a full day of hiking and some killer elevation gain.

So how old are you?

Congratulations, a great accomplishment!

Congratulations. I've been to Yosemite many times, but never climbed the Dome.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
That is awesome! I take it you were roped in for the actual half-dome portion? ...........................
So how old are you?

We did clip in on the cable section. I just used my wilderness belt, carabiner, and a short piece of 7mm rope. My friend used a climbing harness instead of the belt. You saw all kinds of stuff people did it without anything, and others had full OSHA-style body harnesses. We wanted the safety factor, as there are times when you're waiting on the cable section for slower people. Also, having climbing gear and knowing how to use it made it easy for us to have and use.

I'm just on the wrong side of the century mark.

BTDT, many, many years ago when I was in college and with my Dad. No permits or ID required back then. It's a great hike.