Yosemite Hike - 5
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Half Dome is located at the end of a 2 mile long a spur trail off of the
main trail extending from Little Yosemite north over Clouds Rest toward Tioga Road. The
last two miles is the most challenging of all both in terms of exertion and technical
difficulty. You have to be in pretty good shape... no problem for Jason... |
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At the 1.5 mile mark, Half Dome rises above the surroundings. We see it
for the first time from the opposite side, looking back in the direction of our take off
spot, Glacier Point. We have now spiraled up to about 7,000ft and have about 1,500 to go.
The last 1,500 is a killer... read on. |
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Jason is now assending the 'shoulder'. Some poor schmuck has carved steps
into the stones to make this part possible. I can't imagine how long it took without the
assistance of heavy equipment. The angle is over 45 degrees at this point but it feels
like it's almost straight up. Just think of climbing a 500 foot tall ladder and you'll get
the idea. |
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Everyone has the same reaction on getting to the top of Half Dome's
shoulder and seeing the cable for the first time, "Oh S--T, you've got to be
kidding." The last 800 vertical feet are hand over hand, foot in front of foot, up
the side with the assistance of a pair of cables. If you look closely, you can see several
people making the climb. Up until the turn of the century, making Half Dome summit was
thought to be impossible. Some early climber drilled holes in the rock and inserted posts
to which the cable is affixed. The views right and left on the way up are spectacular!! |
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I'm still trying to figure out how to take pictures which show steepness.
This is a pretty good effort but you really have to be there to get the full impact. From
our location it's 20 feet up, rest, 20 more, rest, repeat until on top. Taking pictures on
the way up requires a steady hand on the camera and one on t cable, not recommended for
the faint of heart. |
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