We hiked to Half Dome!! - Yosemite National Park

[Slvrvalk1]

My wife and I are both turning 60 in a few months (she is older than me).  We decided to try to hike Half Dome in Yosemite National Park to mark the occasion.  We did some preparation by hiking some local area mountains that were about 1200 to 1600 feet tall.  The elevation of Half Dome is about 8800 feet, but you start at around 4000 feet.  The total distance is about 17 miles round trip.  Needless to say is is uphill almost all of the way.  Well we made it!!!  The first picture below shows Half Dome from the parking area. 


After you climb most of the way, you hit the granite staircase.  The second picture is Diana and I at the top of the granite staircase.  If you look in the background, you will see the cables that go to the top of Half Dome.  You literally pull yourself to the top using those cables.  It is really scary.  The people on the cables look like ants.


We reached the top!!!


This is my daughter on the edge of Half Dome.


That picture scares the crap out of my wife.

I would recommend the hike to anyone who wants to see some of Yosemite.

Dave
 

[BF]

That last pic scares the crap outta me......but I'm a flat-lander from Florida.   

[Chrisj CMA]

Great job and great pics...I love that area....never did the hike, but I want to someday

[Slvrvalk1]

This picture shows Yosemite Valley from Half Dome.

Dave

[Slvrvalk1]

Final picture - To give some perspective, as you enter Yosemite you come to an overlook of the valley.  In this picture you see El Capitan with Half Dome over to the middle-right.  It is much more spectacular in person.

Dave