Yosemite Hikes and Half Dome Climb

This quick video is pretty chill and just shows some of Yosemite’s hikes and me climbing and summiting Half Dome. A great week of camping by myself, while my Adventure Traveler wife was off on her own vacation with her mom and son.

I saw two Black Bears on my hikes (one juvenile and one large one).

The video hikes include: Yosemite Valley Loop Trail (both Northeast and Southwest loops) the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and then on to Half Dome.

I used 12 feet of rope that I brought along to make a Swiss Seat Harness. Really easy. Then I attached my (sailing) jackline to a large carabiner that I then attached to the Half Dome cables. The Half Dome poles (and wood footings) were down, so I didn’t need a permit.

The total hike was 18.1 miles (44,022 steps) with a 5,200-foot elevation change. The top of Half Dome was over 8,787 feet.

Half Dome is one of Yosemite’s most famous climbs. But, trying to get a permit to climb Half Dome is virtually impossible. While the Half Dome cables go up between late May and October every year, in the offseason the cable supports are removed and Half Dome is usually only summitted with proper climbing gear and good weather conditions. This is my attempt to climb Half Dome with the cables down, and wow, what a riot! Major bonus: Yosemite in springtime is absolutely gorgeous, as the waterfalls are raging, however I went in the fall. The Half Dome hike takes you along the Mist Trail and passes by Vernal Falls and Nevada falls along the way, making it an absolutely stunning ascent!

Disclaimer: People have died climbing Half Dome with the cables down. We do not assume responsibility if you attempt to use the methods we describe in this video. Climb at your own risk.

#halfdome #yosemite #hiking