July 28, 2007
Half Dome - Cables Route, Yosemite, CA
Joe, Paul, Clara (Boom), Lissie, (Squew), Cameron (Buddy Boy)
Boom, Squew, Paul and Buddy Boy near the top of the cables on Half Dome - 7/28/07
On a stormy day in April we hatched a plan to hike up a great mountain.....National Monument...as our annual big hiking trip for the Summer with the kids. We are talking about Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Paul and I had done this same hike when we were 10 and 12 with our Dad. The girls were thrilled to give it a try, especially when we told them about the exposed cables section that turns away many adults. The fact that 2 people died on the cables section within the past year did not comfort the moms, but harnesses would reduce the risks significantly. And before we even faced that challenge, they had to climbed 4,000' in 8 miles to reach the cables - not exactly a walk in the park. Speaking of the park, Yosemite of course is one of the greatest National Parks in the country. And great things attract great people. Greatly different and unusual people. I did my best to capture images of some of these people as they struggled, limped, hauled and projected their carcasses up this infamous trail towards the dome. I have sprinkled images of these strangers throughout this trip report. Enjoy.
THE DAY BEFORE:
The girls and I caught our first glimpse of Half Dome from Olmstead Point, just below Tuolumne Meadows:
The Yosemite high country classic - Mount Conness (West Ridge and SW face in view):
A modern day toy for kids....
A couple of familiar faces greeted us upon entry to the Valley:
This view had the girls wondering what their dad had gotten them into:
Besides Paul, Kim, Cameron and Benny, Grandma and Grandpa also came to the Curry Village Tent City circus for the weekend. Grandma tucks in a tuckered Squew:
GAME DAY.
We rode our bikes to Happy Isles and were hiking by 6:00 AM:
OK, I blew it on my new camera and had the "color transfer" mode set on. This made yellows look purple. Sorry. I fixed it by the time we reached the top though.
Mist Trail was steep, beautiful and fun for the first two hours.
We had our first interesting encounter of the day within 30 minutes of starting. This lady was yelling at her husband because of his fast pace up the stairs. Her husband (looking back at her), was in turn mad at the pace of his friend (Jeff) who was ahead of him and out of view in this picture:
Here's Jeff. He's wondering what is taking them so long. You learn a lot about people's lives when you share the trail wit them:
John Muir's signature is on a rock near the top of Vernal Falls, at least that's what somebody told me. Judge for yourself:
Gung Ho, Happy and Sweaty!
Nevada Falls were next:
It was only 8:00 AM and we were already to Little Yosemite Valley. Cruising the flats we caught our first glimpse of Half Dome's equally as vertical South Face. The day's heat started to work us over too. Other hikers had their ways of dealing with the heat and dressing for the occasion:
Next was the "enchanted forest" that seems to become less enchanting as it seems to never end. But the kids remained determined and by 10:00 AM we were at the edge of the big Valley and ready to take on Sub Dome. Views of the great 0.5 Dome loomed large on the horizon.
Fueling up for the Push!
Squew with the Clouds Rest and lots of granite behind her:
Time to crank it up Sub Dome. Which doesn't mean you can get away with a sub par effort - it's steep!
Other folks were feeling it too. This girl asked me if I'd cut her arms off to lighten her load:
Then the cables appeared ahead of Squew:
It was quite a scene at the top of Sub Dome as the myriad of people that take this hike rest up and debate whether they should wager their lives on those cables running up that steep granite face:
The cables:
Per orders mandated by the Mom's, the kids were harnessed up and the "cable crawl" ensued:
The mom's were right. How would you like this guy sliding towards your child while images of shuffle board go through your head?
I said a Boom-Chicka-Boom!
Squew determined.
Squew Squirrelly:
Uncle Paul and Buddy Boy cruising:
Go Buddy Boy!
I hope this isn't a first date for this couple...
The top of Sub Dome directly below Clara:
I think we're going to make it....
Squew was first to the top - just before noon:
They immediately broke into speed dial mode to alert loved ones of the success:
Something about the edge lured us towards it. To look over and down into the abyss....
Boom in the cave with turkey sandwich in hand and bite in mouth:
Big Daddy sits nervously on the King's Chair:
Why he was nervous:
Time to go play on the "Diving Board". These silly girls were brave:
That's 2,200' of thin air below her! Curry Village (our starting point) is in the top center portion of this picture:
My turn...I was no where near as brave as those gals!
"Hurry take the picture, quick!"
"Wow, check out those climbers nearing the final pitch of the NW Face" That was an amazing sight.
Squew met a friendly fellow near the top. He was trying to get friendly with our lunch:
Final top shots before we started the long hike back down:
On our way down we were confronted with a frenzied crowd pushing past us to reach the top. Check out these two dudes who were not exactly acting courteous to my 10 and 12 year old girls trying to manuever past them. I slapped a little grease on the cables just above them to show my appreciation.
Paul and Buddy Boy share the triumph of a successful up and down:
The later the day grew the more interesting the encounters became:
"outta my way kid, I gotta a peak to bag"
Muscle Man and Granola Woman:
Better to look good than to feel good.
Saddam Hussein's brother was hiding out there!
The Stanford advanced physics department was represented.
Hmmmm...
If you have drawstrings on your shorts, please use them.
A plunge into the Merced River provided a nice refreshment for our hot and weary bodies. The temperature was great (after the initial shock). The emerald waters rejuvenated us for the final 4 mile descent.
As we descended down the Mist Trail the cultural flavor was even more prominent. And the grand prize goes to a couple, most likely from Europe...
We were back to the bikes by 6:00 PM - 12 hours after leaving. 16.4 miles, 4,800 vertical feet, 12 hours in July heat...Good job Boom, Squew and Buddy Boy!
A few more shots from the next day with Grandma, Grandpa, Benny and Kimberly:
They made it to the top of Vernal Falls while we were on Half Dome - I'm sure I would've gotten their picture snapped had I seen them up there!
A good Squew and Half Dome shot:
Next years kid's hike - Lost Arrow!
I almost forget the biggest tour-on idiot of all!
