Well; the hiking is a great passion for human health. Hiking is an
iconic symbol of Yosemite grandeur and “Half Dome” just begs to be climbed. The
7 miles route to this granite landmark through the Mist Trail sees 2,500 to
3,000 folks per day during summer weekends, making it the most heavily
trafficked corridor in the park. Half Dome is the signature landmark of
“Yosemite National Park”. An average man
can finish the approximately 16-mile, 12-hour hike to the top of Yosemite’s
signature landmark if they have three things: Education, Preparation and
Motivation.
The most famous or infamous part of the hike is the ascent up the
cables. The two metal cables allow hikers to climb the last 400 feet to the
summit without rock climbing equipment. Even though many folks are bear
fatigue, altitude sickness, and dehydration in their willpower to stand atop
Half Dome’s broad 8,836-foot-high crown. Steel cables bolted into the granite
assist climbers up the final 400 vertical feet, but the combination of high,
open rock and metal fixtures makes this a lousy place to get caught in an
electrical storm. And once the raindrops start falling, the rock becomes
dangerously slick. Yosemite’s search and rescue team responds to 300 incidents
each year more than any other national park and not surprisingly, and claim six
deaths since 1995. So you’ve have to be very fit and honestly survival plan
assesses your fitness level.
If you want to hike the half dome you'll need a permit. The dome
itself reflects the general shape of an intrusion of granodiorite deep
underground. As the intrusion became exposed by erosion, the change in pressure
caused the rock to crack apart in thin shells, which fall off the sides and
leave the mountain clean. So this process is called exfoliation, and Half Dome
is a classic exfoliation dome. The Mist
Trail is a hard hike; you’ve to leave early not later than 5 a.m. to give
yourself the best shot at completing it. Hike on a weekday between late May and
early October, a period when the cables have generally been installed. Assess
the sky before you commit to the cables, and never climb them when the rock is
wet: That’s when almost every fall from Half Dome has occurred. The keys points
for success are: 1. Begin early, 2. Wear good boots, 3. Drink plenty of water,
4. Use hiking poles and 5. Use rubberized gloves for the cables. Moreover you
must check sunrise and sunset times before you start your hike, and always
bring a flashlight or headlamp with good quality batteries. Though the trail is
well marked, you should be prepared with a good topographic map and compass,
with the ability to use them. Indeed Half Dome hiking is an instant lifetime
memory; so it is recommended you must do it once a life. It is challenging but
rewarding folks. Prepare yourself so that you will be successful and able to
summit the peak.
Half Dome Elevation: 8,842 feet
(2,695 meters)
Total Elevation Gain: 4,800
feet (1,600 meters) from Yosemite Valley
Hike Distance: 14.2 miles (22.7
km) round trip via Mist Trail
16.5 miles (26.5 km) round trip via John Muir Trail
20 miles (32 km) round trip via Glacier Point
23 miles (37) km round trip via Tenaya Lake
7 miles (11 km) round trip from Little Yosemite Valley campground
Hiking Time: 10 - 14 hours
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