BlueDog
06-12-2009, 11:53 PM
It always takes me at least a night on the trail to get accustomed to sleeping in the tent. The last night was much the same. It got a little cooler than we expected, but it wasn't unbearable. I wake up around 5:30am just as sky is starting to warm up. Camp is still very quiet, some local deer roaming around, so I take the opportunity to take it all in and meditate a little.
About 6am, the sun pulls itself up over the horizon enough to start warming up the big rock.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3608294138_05b41ccace.jpg?v=1244833709
Finally, an hour later, my trail mates are fumbling around trying to drum up some breakfast.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3297/3607481691_9b313d6ab6.jpg?v=1244833722
After a warm mean of freeze dried eggs and bacon, a hot cup of coffee, I wander down to the Merced River to draw water for the big trip.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3608301732_3ed1263118.jpg?v=1244833735
Sleeping bags stuffed, tents rolled and packs packed, we head out on the trail about 9am. A little later than we had planned, but we think we're still ahead of the day hiker crowd heading in the same direction.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3607490483_d3ba45f1d8.jpg?v=1244833755
Its about 3.5 miles from camp to the top of the dome. About a mile up the trail we get a good look at our destination as we start to round the cable side.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3410/3607491951_82630510b2.jpg?v=1244833761
Half a mile more and we are at the intersection to leave the John Muir trail and head up the trail to Half Dome.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3608309774_e6733bcb9a.jpg?v=1244833769
The trail climbs up through the trees and about 7200 feet it starts to really open up to some grand views. In the picture below you see the next hill to climb. Behind this hill, if you look carefully, there is the small shoulder dome you need to climb in order to get to the base of the cables.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/3608313784_ed6520ea7e.jpg?v=1244833782
A short while later, we are starting to feel the altitude and stop for another break. On the other side of the valley we note a trail that we might like to come down, but no way we'd want to climb it!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3608315250_31801f1794.jpg?v=1244833789
Plus, a sneak preview of our destination tomorrow....
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3608316438_06e7fc046d.jpg?v=1244833794
At the base of the shoulder dome, you start the STEEP ascent up the tight and narrow switchbacks.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3332/3607503191_3c860dc4c1.jpg?v=1244833825
Half way up, I stopped to catch my breath, as the steepness, altitude and pack are taking its toll. Looking back, I'm actually surprised at the angle of the trail!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/3608321178_4fbe2b24fa.jpg?v=1244833834
I finally make it up to the shoulder, a few minutes later followed by Ross and then many more minutes later, by our non-hiker friend Dean.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3376/3607510241_8f404a6d7c.jpg?v=1244833853
Whoo hoo! Base of the cables! Now the big test is almost here. Unfortunately, we now realize we spent a little too much time in camp fiddle-farting around and we are going to have to deal with the crowd.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2424/3608332564_137ba2d6d5.jpg?v=1244833879
Now, I know we've talked about it here, as well as at the STP dinners in years past, about the highly unprepared hikers we've seen during the day. The ones that leave Pinkham in flip-flops and a bottle of water in hand. Well, these folks are everywhere.
Something to note to future hikers that may use google and find this page... PLEASE BE PREPARED AND BRING GLOVES WITH YOU. When you come back down, PLEASE TAKE YOUR GLOVES WITH YOU!!
If you do ANY research on hiking Half Dome, you'll find text saying that you should bring gloves and begging people to NOT leave them at the cables. High winds come up frequently and blow them off the dome to litter the landscape. So now, Rangers need to make trips up to this stop to routinely scoop up the pile and haul them away.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3608334584_5a3de2c54e.jpg?v=1244833886
Ok.. so, one last picture, a deep breath... let do this!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3608339222_33cfc28ef2.jpg?v=1244833906
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/3608340948_f77d273565.jpg?v=1244833913
So, the climb up the cables wasn't too bad! The traffic gives you time to stop, take a break and then head up to the next board. The rock is steep and the cables are tight in some places, slack in them in others.
Now, I should take this time to let our readers know that I do have a tiny issue with heights. Its not an all out fear, but long and tall bridges (Bay Bridge in MD, Tapen Zee Bridge in NY) bother me for example. I can't help but find myself thinking that the barriers to keep me and my vehicle on the bridge seem too small. Skyscrapers sometimes bother me. In Chicago I had to talk myself into going to the top of the Sears Tower. At the top, I found it fairly easy to walk up to the glass and look down. Standing on top of the Eiffel Town and looking UP really weirds me out. So.... on my way up the cables, I did force myself once or twice to take a look around and WOW! WHAT A VIEW!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3597353800_91dfa24baf.jpg?v=0
A short bit later and .... I'M ON TOP!!!! Wow, what a feeling! I set this as a goal and I made it! It was challenging, exhilarating and exhausting all at once. (This image is actually over on the far part of the dome looking back at where the cables come up.)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/3608352198_9656e572a8.jpg?v=1244833955
My requisite pose in the most proper attire I could think of for the occasion!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3607545527_70de4cc7df.jpg?v=1244834001
We took a little time to relax, play in the snow.. yes, I said snow, but to this crowd that should be no surprise.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3607530033_1edc35b8c0.jpg?v=1244833934
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3607532391_69bc640df0.jpg?v=1244833947
Now, anyone who is a hiking enthusiast and loves photography, you'll know the iconic pictures of the hiker sitting on the edge of Half Dome peering out over the valley. Well, that spot is called The Visor. So, of course, you can't come all this way and not capture the image yourself! First, Ross heads out onto the Visor and I go over here to get the best vantage point.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3607554811_cf9532b6be.jpg?v=1244834052
Now, remember just a little while back in our story here where I briefly mentioned my ever so slight and tiniest bit fear of heights? Well, I found that as I was taking the picture, having already seen the sheer face I'm standing above, I start to feel a little weak in the knees. Soon, I actually had to lay down to snap the photo. But no big deal, I push though it and get the photo.
Looking back, I should have gone first to get my picture taken out there before ever getting a look around. I then decide I can't do it. But, I'm all this way... it would be a shame not to get the photo. It was at this point I took a few seconds, recalled some mediation techniques to calm my mind and I hand the camera to Ross and instruct him to be quick on the trigger... very quick. Determined to head out to the tip, I'm trying to control my mind, my breathing and my wobbling knees all at the same time. I get about two steps from the end and figure this is as far as I can go, shout to Ross.. "Take the picture! NOW!!!"
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3607562211_ff9414a6cd.jpg?v=1244834092
Its at this very moment that I discover that I really understated my fear of heights, as I was close to crawling off the Visor back to safety. To this moment, I'm still trying to figure it all out, but I spent the next 10 min sitting and trying to collect myself, all kinds of thoughts racing through my head, my fears, everything. Luckily, I felt a few rain drop from a storm cloud moving in. Now, I know what you're saying... "but BlueDog, you're on top of a huge granite dome, one of the highest points in the park, pretty much a lightening rod! Plus, we've heard that you shouldn't be on the cables in the rain as the rock gets real slippery and if you slip off the cables <gulp>, well... you're done for!" Well, you're exactly right. However, in this case, the rain was exactly the motivation I needed to tell myself, "look, you need to deal with this later. Collect yourself and get your ass in gear and start heading down!"
About 6am, the sun pulls itself up over the horizon enough to start warming up the big rock.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3608294138_05b41ccace.jpg?v=1244833709
Finally, an hour later, my trail mates are fumbling around trying to drum up some breakfast.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3297/3607481691_9b313d6ab6.jpg?v=1244833722
After a warm mean of freeze dried eggs and bacon, a hot cup of coffee, I wander down to the Merced River to draw water for the big trip.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3608301732_3ed1263118.jpg?v=1244833735
Sleeping bags stuffed, tents rolled and packs packed, we head out on the trail about 9am. A little later than we had planned, but we think we're still ahead of the day hiker crowd heading in the same direction.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3607490483_d3ba45f1d8.jpg?v=1244833755
Its about 3.5 miles from camp to the top of the dome. About a mile up the trail we get a good look at our destination as we start to round the cable side.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3410/3607491951_82630510b2.jpg?v=1244833761
Half a mile more and we are at the intersection to leave the John Muir trail and head up the trail to Half Dome.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3311/3608309774_e6733bcb9a.jpg?v=1244833769
The trail climbs up through the trees and about 7200 feet it starts to really open up to some grand views. In the picture below you see the next hill to climb. Behind this hill, if you look carefully, there is the small shoulder dome you need to climb in order to get to the base of the cables.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/3608313784_ed6520ea7e.jpg?v=1244833782
A short while later, we are starting to feel the altitude and stop for another break. On the other side of the valley we note a trail that we might like to come down, but no way we'd want to climb it!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3608315250_31801f1794.jpg?v=1244833789
Plus, a sneak preview of our destination tomorrow....
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3608316438_06e7fc046d.jpg?v=1244833794
At the base of the shoulder dome, you start the STEEP ascent up the tight and narrow switchbacks.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3332/3607503191_3c860dc4c1.jpg?v=1244833825
Half way up, I stopped to catch my breath, as the steepness, altitude and pack are taking its toll. Looking back, I'm actually surprised at the angle of the trail!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2466/3608321178_4fbe2b24fa.jpg?v=1244833834
I finally make it up to the shoulder, a few minutes later followed by Ross and then many more minutes later, by our non-hiker friend Dean.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3376/3607510241_8f404a6d7c.jpg?v=1244833853
Whoo hoo! Base of the cables! Now the big test is almost here. Unfortunately, we now realize we spent a little too much time in camp fiddle-farting around and we are going to have to deal with the crowd.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2424/3608332564_137ba2d6d5.jpg?v=1244833879
Now, I know we've talked about it here, as well as at the STP dinners in years past, about the highly unprepared hikers we've seen during the day. The ones that leave Pinkham in flip-flops and a bottle of water in hand. Well, these folks are everywhere.
Something to note to future hikers that may use google and find this page... PLEASE BE PREPARED AND BRING GLOVES WITH YOU. When you come back down, PLEASE TAKE YOUR GLOVES WITH YOU!!
If you do ANY research on hiking Half Dome, you'll find text saying that you should bring gloves and begging people to NOT leave them at the cables. High winds come up frequently and blow them off the dome to litter the landscape. So now, Rangers need to make trips up to this stop to routinely scoop up the pile and haul them away.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3608334584_5a3de2c54e.jpg?v=1244833886
Ok.. so, one last picture, a deep breath... let do this!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3608339222_33cfc28ef2.jpg?v=1244833906
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/3608340948_f77d273565.jpg?v=1244833913
So, the climb up the cables wasn't too bad! The traffic gives you time to stop, take a break and then head up to the next board. The rock is steep and the cables are tight in some places, slack in them in others.
Now, I should take this time to let our readers know that I do have a tiny issue with heights. Its not an all out fear, but long and tall bridges (Bay Bridge in MD, Tapen Zee Bridge in NY) bother me for example. I can't help but find myself thinking that the barriers to keep me and my vehicle on the bridge seem too small. Skyscrapers sometimes bother me. In Chicago I had to talk myself into going to the top of the Sears Tower. At the top, I found it fairly easy to walk up to the glass and look down. Standing on top of the Eiffel Town and looking UP really weirds me out. So.... on my way up the cables, I did force myself once or twice to take a look around and WOW! WHAT A VIEW!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3597353800_91dfa24baf.jpg?v=0
A short bit later and .... I'M ON TOP!!!! Wow, what a feeling! I set this as a goal and I made it! It was challenging, exhilarating and exhausting all at once. (This image is actually over on the far part of the dome looking back at where the cables come up.)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/3608352198_9656e572a8.jpg?v=1244833955
My requisite pose in the most proper attire I could think of for the occasion!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3607545527_70de4cc7df.jpg?v=1244834001
We took a little time to relax, play in the snow.. yes, I said snow, but to this crowd that should be no surprise.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3402/3607530033_1edc35b8c0.jpg?v=1244833934
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3607532391_69bc640df0.jpg?v=1244833947
Now, anyone who is a hiking enthusiast and loves photography, you'll know the iconic pictures of the hiker sitting on the edge of Half Dome peering out over the valley. Well, that spot is called The Visor. So, of course, you can't come all this way and not capture the image yourself! First, Ross heads out onto the Visor and I go over here to get the best vantage point.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3607554811_cf9532b6be.jpg?v=1244834052
Now, remember just a little while back in our story here where I briefly mentioned my ever so slight and tiniest bit fear of heights? Well, I found that as I was taking the picture, having already seen the sheer face I'm standing above, I start to feel a little weak in the knees. Soon, I actually had to lay down to snap the photo. But no big deal, I push though it and get the photo.
Looking back, I should have gone first to get my picture taken out there before ever getting a look around. I then decide I can't do it. But, I'm all this way... it would be a shame not to get the photo. It was at this point I took a few seconds, recalled some mediation techniques to calm my mind and I hand the camera to Ross and instruct him to be quick on the trigger... very quick. Determined to head out to the tip, I'm trying to control my mind, my breathing and my wobbling knees all at the same time. I get about two steps from the end and figure this is as far as I can go, shout to Ross.. "Take the picture! NOW!!!"
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3607562211_ff9414a6cd.jpg?v=1244834092
Its at this very moment that I discover that I really understated my fear of heights, as I was close to crawling off the Visor back to safety. To this moment, I'm still trying to figure it all out, but I spent the next 10 min sitting and trying to collect myself, all kinds of thoughts racing through my head, my fears, everything. Luckily, I felt a few rain drop from a storm cloud moving in. Now, I know what you're saying... "but BlueDog, you're on top of a huge granite dome, one of the highest points in the park, pretty much a lightening rod! Plus, we've heard that you shouldn't be on the cables in the rain as the rock gets real slippery and if you slip off the cables <gulp>, well... you're done for!" Well, you're exactly right. However, in this case, the rain was exactly the motivation I needed to tell myself, "look, you need to deal with this later. Collect yourself and get your ass in gear and start heading down!"