October 28, 2015

Half Dome

Travel

I despise going to the gym. You will NEVER find me on a casual run. However, ask me to join you on one of the world’s most difficult hikes… and I’m IN!

My friend Shannon has had the Half Dome hike on her bucket list for years. When she asked if I wanted to hike at Yosemite National Park, of course I said yes. Little did I know… Half Dome not only requires a cable permit, but on a difficulty scale of 1-10… it is an 11.

I thoroughly scared myself by googling “scariest hikes” and Half Dome obliged by attending each and every party! Fact: I’ve completed 3 of the top 10 scariest hikes (Half Dome, Huayna Picchu, Angel’s Landing)… no intention of completing this death bucket list.

Half Dome Quick Facts:

  • 19 miles round trip via Curry Village Parking Lot to Mist Trail then John Muir Trail on the return
  • 16 hours in total with a lot of photo ops, snacking, medical stops and little legs (mine)
  • 4,800 feet elevation gain
  • 8,842 feet elevation at the summit
  • Most memorable quote “It’s the hike you can’t die without doing, and the hike you’ll most likely die while doing.”

The first obstacle was finding a cable permit for the exact September Sunday we planned on hiking Half Dome. The permit preseason lottery goes on in the month of March of each year. After that, there is a daily lottery awarded 2 days prior to the hike. Approximately 225 permits are released per day in the preseason and 50 per daily lottery. The odds weren’t in our favor, considering the short notice. We thought,” there must be a black market where we can buy these permits”… and we were right. Kind of. We found an adventure tour company and booked a hike guide, which came with cable permits and some equipment. Lasting Adventures, you are a life hike-saver!

The equipment. No joke. Buy at LEAST one month prior and break in everything. The Camelbak, hiking boots, socks… you want to eliminate any nuisances prior to the Day of the Hike. Here is what I packed:

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Half Dome Hiking Essentials:

  1. Hiking Boots: There are a few reputable brands, but the ones that are the most comfortable to YOU are of the most value. I did my boot research here, and ended up with the Ahnu Sugarpine hiking boots. I got ZERO blisters after the 19 mile hike!
  2. Hydration: It’s recommended to drink 5L of water for the duration of the hike. I used the Camelbak Helena 22 which comes with a 3L bladder. I had an extra 3L bladder, so I filled 3L with water and the second pouch with one Limon Pepino Gatorade. I trained using the pack with both 3L bladders full of water and it was just too heavy for me. Our hike guide provided a water filter pump, which refilled at natural water springs along our hike.
  3. Gloves: I found these super sticky rubber gloves in size small at TJ Maxx, but any thick sticky garden gloves will work for the cable climb. Worst case scenario, there’s a small hidden pile of gloves at the base of the cables but I wouldn’t rely on that if you have small hands or hike early in the season. Park rangers tend to clean up the piles as well. THIS IS MANDATORY, I cannot imagine climbing the cables without gloves.
  4. Trekking poles: The lightest poles are made of carbon fiber, the most durable are of aluminum. Cork handles absorb your hand sweat and the smaller they fold up, the easier to strap to your backpack. I went with Kelty mostly because of the mid-range price and the cute green color. Our tour company provided Leki (fancy) poles, but I missed that on the memo and brought my own, which worked well and did not break!
  5. Hiking Socks: I recommend Merino wool full cushion socks that go above ankle. Trust me, they are worth every penny. Darn Tough makes some darn cute ones. NO COTTON.
  6. Snacks: I raided Whole Foods and packed 7 Clif Bars, 1 Clif Energy Bloks, 3 bison meat sticks and 1 Lara Bar. In a last minute anxiety laced convenience store moment, I bought two tuna/cracker packages that were a delicious lunch at the top the mountain. Looking back, I should’ve packed more meat sticks. (That’s what she said?)
  7. Hat: Sun protection is necessary to prevent exhaustion on the long hike. ¡Vamos Barça!
  8. Outfit: NO COTTON ANYTHING. Cotton absorbs sweat like a sponge, which gets heavy and can chafe. Make sure you wear moisture-wicking fabrics. I wore fun yoga pants because that’s what I’d be wearing even if I weren’t hiking. The top is Lorna Jane with the sweetest red heart on the inner lining above the left breast. I also love the Under Armour work-out thongs. I layered with a baseball 3/4 tee and a Marmot light rain jacket. I hardly utilized the outer layers in late September weather.
  9. Bandana: I didn’t think it was really necessary, but with hindsight being 20/20 I loved having my hair slicked away and sweat wicked without having to fix anything all day long. Rep America like I did by finding my bandana here.
  10. Head lamp: We used ours pre-dawn as well as after sunset for a few hours. Don’t be a nube, always have a head lamp for every hike you take no matter the time of day.
  11. Zip-loc baggies: For all your trash, including your used toilet paper. The only thing left in Yosemite should be your footprints.

After two months of intense training (read: yoga, hiking, wine) we embarked on our girls California road trip!

Catching the sunrise service cross-country to LAX.
Catching the sunrise service cross-country to LAX.
My ideal pre-hike meal is Sugarfish sushi, Trust Me.
My ideal pre-hike meal is Sugarfish sushi, Trust Me.
The road trip from LA to Yosemite was picturesque.
The road trip from LA to Yosemite was picturesque.
I love watching the terrain morph as we change elevation and longitude. California is beautiful.
I love watching the terrain morph as we change elevation and longitude. California is beautiful.
After the tunnel entrance at Yosemite, you are greeted by THIS.
After the tunnel entrance at Yosemite, you are greeted by THIS.
Proper salutations, Yosemite.
Proper salutations, Yosemite.
We checked into Curry Village and I kept looking for Riley Curry everywhere but couldn't find her.
We checked into Curry Village and I kept looking for Riley Curry everywhere but couldn’t find her.
We stayed in a Tented Cabin at Curry Village, complete with Bear Boxes (those green boxes outside each tent). You must store all food and anything with a fragrance locked up in the box so bears don't destroy your tent looking for snacks.
We stayed in a Tented Cabin at Curry Village, complete with Bear Boxes (those green boxes outside each tent). You must store all food and anything with a fragrance locked up in the box so bears don’t destroy your tent looking for snacks.
Glamping!
Glamping!
We started our hike at 5:30 am in the pre-dawn darkness.
We started our hike at 5:30 am in the pre-dawn darkness.
The first part of the hike is mostly uphill with scenic sights of Nevada Falls.
The first part of the hike is mostly uphill. About 1.5 miles in you will approach Vernal Fall.
Nevada Fall, in the midst of a California drought and the end of season (Sept 2015).
Vernal Fall, in the midst of a California drought and the end of season (Sept 2015).
Nevada Fall has the most water in the beginning of the year due to melting ice. At the end of Sept, there was barely any water falling!
Vernal Fall has the most water in the Spring due to melting ice. At the end of Sept, there was barely any water falling!

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Rocky trail
Rocky trail
About 3.5 miles in, you approach Vernal Fall which had more water falling!
About 3.5 miles in, you approach Nevada Fall which had more water falling!
After the two waterfalls, you enter the "Neverending Forest" full of whimsical moss covered trees.
After the two waterfalls, you enter the “Neverending Forest” full of whimsical moss covered trees.
Don't forget to stop and smell the pine trees. They smell like BUTTERSCOTCH!
Don’t forget to stop and smell the Ponderosa pine trees. They smell like BUTTERSCOTCH!
The pine trees are Ponderosa and Jeffery. (Prickly Ponderosa, Gentle Jeffrey... how to tell the difference between pine cones).
The pine trees are Ponderosa and Jeffery. (Prickly Ponderosa, Gentle Jeffrey… how to tell the difference between pine cones).

The great part about the forest section of the hike is the SHADE! Nice and cool.
The great part about the forest section of the hike is the SHADE! Nice and cool.
Finding the beauty even in a fallen log
Finding the beauty even in a fallen log
I was pretending the huge trees were Ents, and these aren't even Sequoias!
I was pretending the huge trees were Ents, and these aren’t even Sequoias!
Met a stray coyote. He is NOT my friend! Thinking he was baiting us to bring back to his pack for dinner.
Met a stray coyote. He is NOT my friend! Thinking he was baiting us to bring back to his pack for dinner.
Filtering water from a secret water hole
Filtering water from a secret water hole
First peek at Mr. Half Dome in the background
First peek at Mr. Half Dome in the background
More beautiful fallen trees
More beautiful fallen trees
Savoring the journey
Savoring the journey
Sub-Dome is quite the incline! Get ready for those quads to burn!
Sub-Dome is quite the incline! Get ready for those quads to burn!
It's hard to tell in this photo, but the incline at Sub-Dome is quite strenuous! Not to mention the elevation change lending the shortness of breath.
It’s hard to tell in this photo, but the incline at Sub-Dome is quite strenuous! Not to mention the elevation change lending the shortness of breath.
The Cable Ascent is 400 feet of slippery, vertical granite supported by wobbly poles holding in steel chains which you use to pull your body up.
The Cable Ascent is 400 feet of slippery, vertical granite supported by wobbly poles holding in steel chains which you use to pull your body up.
Our group consisted of an Australian on holiday and a couple from Israel (not pictured). Our guide, Colton was very patient and knowledgeable.
Our group consisted of an Australian on holiday and a couple from Israel (not pictured). Our guide, Colton was very patient and knowledgeable.
My GoPro is strapped onto the backpack ahead of me, filming the climb. There are wooden planks nailed in every few feet which act as resting areas in between pulling yourself up with the cables.
My GoPro is strapped onto the backpack ahead of me, filming the climb. There are wooden planks nailed in every few feet which act as resting areas in between pulling yourself up with the cables.
Woohoo! We made it to the top of Half Dome!!!
Woohoo! We made it to the top of Half Dome!!!
Lunch on the cliffside
Lunch on the cliffside
I could've used a yoga sesh at the top of Half Dome!
I could’ve used a yoga sesh at the top of Half Dome!
My proudest physical accomplishment, hiking Half Dome!
My proudest physical accomplishment, hiking Half Dome!
Warrior Pose, because you cannot conquer Half Dome unless you're a true warrior!
Warrior Pose, because you cannot conquer Half Dome unless you’re a true warrior!
Climbing DOWN the cables was another set of balls to scare off. You literally can't "not look down" at your potential plummeting death. But look, I made it! It was dangerous!
Climbing DOWN the cables was another set of balls to scare off. You literally can’t “not look down” at your potential plummeting death. But look, I made it! It was dangerous!
The entire hike back was kind of a race against the sunset, but we caught a beautiful glimpse on our way home!
The entire hike back was kind of a race against the sunset, but we caught a beautiful glimpse on our way home!

 

I knew I was in for a ride, when I agreed to this hike. I never expected the feeling of accomplishment and affirmation that I can truly accomplish what I set my mind to. The next time I feel overwhelmed or daunted at a task, I’ll remember that I conquered Half Dome… and I’ll get er done!

The longest hike I had ever completed prior to this was only 9 miles. My entire life has been lived at sea-level. This hike was not easy for me, but I DID IT. I couldn’t walk for about 2 days afterwards, and that first night of sleep I was woken up every time I moved because it hurt that much!

It was worth it.

Thank you to my bestie, Shannon for the trip and hike of a lifetime.

Thank y’all for joining in my journey to Half Dome. If you are planning a hike there and have any questions, send me a message in the Contact page.

 

Mind over muscle,

Mel

All photos taken on iPhone 6 by Melllypoo.

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