Half Dome: Know Before You Go

Just did it in October with my husband at age 55. Craziest, riskiest thing I have ever done. 😜 We got the second to last day of the season. So glad we didn't have to contend with those crowds in your video. Wanted to celebrate at the top, but just kept thinking 'Crap! I gotta go back down now!' 😂

I have hiked Half Dome 6 times. Spending the night up there was spectacular. The first time I hiked it, I was 19 and I did not bring enough water. I was so thirsty, that on the way down, I drank water from a natural stream. I knew that was not a good idea, but I was beginning to get dehydrated, and I had learned in the Boy Scouts that if you have to drink water in the wild, you drink from the foamiest part of the stream. Fortunately, I did not get sick. One of my friends who drank from the river on the same trip got Giardia Lamblia disease and suffered for years. I am 6' 1" and about 200 lbs, I sweat a lot, and so I need a lot of water. The next 5 times I hiked it, I brought a gallon and a half of water. I cannot stress how important it is to bring tons of water, or a water treatment system. I usually run into people who did not bring enough water, so bring some extra for the poor souls who don't know any better. I recommend comfortable, well broken in hiking boots. The last time, I brought hiking poles and that really saved my knees from being sore the next day. I would also recommend some gloves for the cables, and a good thermodynamic hat to keep your head cool as when you are on the rock stairs before the cables, you are totally exposed to the sun, and that can take a lot out of you. Otherwise, it is an awesome hike. I plan to do it again.

I've made that hike 3 times when I was younger. I'm glad I was able to challenge myself to make it to the top all three times. Every hike was done in a day starting and ending at Happy Isles. My last trip was by far the most painful with the descent destroying my knees and forcing me to choose the longer horse trail bypassing the Mist Trail on the way out. I was literally almost in tears at the end waiting for the tram to carry my weary body back to camp where I took a couple days recovery before I could move around. This hike is worth the attempt and I got lucky all 3 trips that the weather did not cause cancellation before reaching the summit. The views are unmatched and the memories permanent. Go when you're young and strong and go prepared to deal with adversity. Remember.....no view is worth risking your life for. "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn."

Beautiful.Majestic. Pictuesque. Awe inspiring, Grand. And you're not getting me within a hundred miles of that death trap.

I climbed to the top of Half Dome six separate times over a period of 18 years in my younger days, but the last time was 38 years ago.

There is a value in knowing your limits! I went on a hike with a group once and about 1/4 of the way up I decided that was as far as I was going, and took my time getting back down. Another person in the group, though she was in worse shape than I was, decided to keep going. She made it to the destination but it took the fire department 6 hours to get her back down.

I've done this hike 3 times now. I've found its best to camp overnight at the Little Yosemite Valley and start from there. We actually did get stuck at the top of the dome during a lightning storm. Just remove all of your metal and pile it at the highest point and hunker down in the saddle portion of the dome. Wait it out and get down as quickly and as safely as possible.

hello from Ireland, excellent info, after hiking and taking on long distance trails over the passed 30 years,I have come across some very unprepared people. I have given water bottles away and patched up a few cuts and bruises. Good work on your info. Far too many people for my type of walking. On my last walk I saw no one, just and otter and gull having an argument by a lakeside that's my kind of world.

Good video Andre. You need more emphasis on the dangers of hiking into thunderstorms. The injuries and deaths on HD are almost always weather related. It is best to hit the trail before sunrise and be off the cables early. You will avoid the crowds and the thunderstorms. You are right about water. I see so many people run out. People need to fill up at Little Yosemite Valley.

Wow - this is an excellent summary of the reality one faces when attempting this hike - thank you for sharing

This hike was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. It was very hard but so rewarding!

It typically takes about 12 hours of serious hiking over about 14 miles. Hard is fairly relative, for experienced mountaineers and hikers with excellent physical fitness it is a nice long hike. For inexperienced hikers who haven't been at altitude it can be extremely challenging day long hike.

I was 16 when I did this hike up half dome with tennis shoes and a canteen of water. I was in great shape, not hard for me at all. Looking at it now, OMG! I had no idea it was so steep!

Great video. I just did the hike two days ago and asked questions to hikers I met along the way. Most, if not all, said the sub dome was harder than the cables. That gave me relief! But that wasn't my experience. I'm good on uphills and thought the sub dome wasn't that bad. I have a super huge fear of heights. The cable section was TERRIFYING for me...much more difficult than the sub dome.

I hope everyone prepares for these hikes. I was in the boy scouts and Explorers. This hike was on our list, we seen more people that weren't prepared for this hike. If you are active in your day to day basis, you should start 2 months before taking this hike. I would recommend a week without a pack then slowly add more items in your pack. Happy hiking.

Great presentation.  I have done this hike twice.  Sorry...... but many people who attempt this are in over their heads ....too out of shape/practice to do this full hike.  Also, the way down is way more difficult and dangerous than the hike up!

Great video.  I met so many unprepared people on my hike to the top.  People without enough water.  I took along a carabiniere/webbing safety system to ensure that I wouldn't slip off of the cable walk way.  Once you loose your footing and start sliding, it's easy to keep tumbling right over the edge.  I wish more people would prepare themselves better when going on long hikes/climbs like this.  

This hike was brutal but such an awesome experience. I cant wait to go back.

I'm soloing HD this summer, Soloing meaning, None of my friends will do it with me

Excellent Half Dome instructional video. The new permit system has a certain irony to it. Some have attempted Half Dome in bad weather because their permit is for that day.