At 14 to 16 miles roundtrip and an elevation gain of 4,800 feet, climbing Half Dome via the cables is
neither for the faint of heart nor the beginner hiker
. Here are some tips for those who are ready for the arduous ascent.
Can a beginner climb Half Dome?
Climbing Half Dome isn’t an adventure recommended for complete beginner hikers
(though it is a great motivation goal to get you hiking more). The cable route is considered one of the most dangerous hikes in a U.S. national park.
What climbing grade is Half Dome?
The Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome was the first Grade VI climb in the United States. It was first climbed in 1957 by a team consisting of Royal Robbins, Mike Sherrick, and Jerry Gallwas. Its current aid climbing rating is
VI 5.9 A1 or 5.12 for the free climbing variation
.
Is climbing Half Dome scary?
It is completely fine to turn back as
this is a genuinely scary section of hiking
. It is far worse than anything we’ve ever seen in a decade of hiking around the world (Angels Landing has nothing on Half Dome). So if you’re not sure, just go and see it for yourself!
Can anyone climb Half Dome?
If you plan to hike Half Dome,
you must have a permit
. For day hikers, permits are available by lottery in March, with a limited number available two days in advance. Backpackers, including those who want to camp in Little Yosemite Valley, should request a Half Dome permit with their wilderness permit.
Has anyone free climbed Half Dome?
Half Dome:
In 2008, Honnold made the first free-solo of the 22-pitch Regular Northwest Face 5.12 on Half Dome in Yosemite
. Four years later, after repeating the solo a number of times, he did it in one hour and 22 minutes.
Is Half Dome difficult?
Difficulty: Extreme. It’s long, steep at the beginning and end, and more dangerous than most Yosemite hikes.
It’s probably the most difficult of all Yosemite day hikes
. On the traditional 1 to 10 scale, this one rates an 11.
How long should you train for Half Dome?
| In This Guide How to Get a Half Dome Permit Planning and Training For the Hike How to Conquer the Cables Gear Recommendations & Tips Half Dome Hike Maps Video & Turn by Turn Hike Directions | Hike Time 9-12 Hours (Total) | Difficulty (?) Very Hard | Total Ascent (?) 5,700 feet (1737m) |
|---|
How long should you train to hike Half Dome?
The trek up the underrated sub-dome is no joke and at the end of that strenuous journey you are faced with the final 400 foot ascent up two steel cables. Practice these 7 exercises
6-8 weeks
before your trip and you will hopefully be able to enjoy the view rather than begging your legs to get you up one more step.
What is the easiest climbing route on Half Dome?
Snake Dike
is the easiest technical climbing route to the top of Half Dome, the most recognized rock feature in the United States. Half Dome boasts an unreal summit, 5,000′ of rise from the Yosemite Valley floor and amazing views of the Yosemite and the High Sierra.
What kind of rock is Half Dome?
Half Dome, which stands nearly 8,800 feet (2,682 meters) above sea level, is composed of
granodiorite
, and is the remains of a magma chamber that cooled slowly and crystallized thousands of feet beneath the Earth’s surface.
Is Half Dome harder than Angels Landing?
The National Park Service considers ascending the 4,800 feet and traveling the minimum 14.5 miles to Half Dome’s summit, “one of the most challenging day hikes in any national park.” Measured by vertical ascent, hiking Half Dome is
roughly three times as challenging as hiking Angels Landing
, and even includes a 7-mile …
Is it safe to hike Half Dome?
Most years, hikers safely summit and descend from Half Dome with no fatalities
. However, adverse weather conditions and lack of caution on the cables can put you in danger. Make sure to plan ahead, don’t attempt the hike if a storm is approaching, and prepare for a difficult climb.
How many people fall off Half Dome cables?
Half Dome in Yosemite National Park has seen at least
290 accidents
and 13 deaths in the past 15 years, according to Business Insider.
Is Half Dome El Capitan?
El Capitan in Yosemite National Park
rises nearly 3,600 feet above the valley floor (7,500 feet above sea level) making it one of the most prominent features in the park. One of the largest exposed pieces of granite in the world, this behemoth attracts rock climbers from aroundthe world.
Is Half Dome considered a mountain?
| Half Dome | Mountain type Granite dome | Climbing | First ascent 1875 by George G. Anderson | Easiest route Cable route |
|---|
What does 9a mean in rock climbing?
8a (5.13a YDS) is considered advanced. 9a (5.14d YDS) is the
international climbing grade standard for elite free climbing
.
How long did the free solo climb take?
On June 3, 2017, Alex Honnold completed the first free solo climb of El Capitan. He ascended the Freerider line in
3 hours and 56 minutes
, beginning at 5:32 am and reaching the peak at 9:28 am. The climb was filmed for the 2018 documentary Free Solo.
What is the hardest free solo climb in the world?
The hardest climbing route to be free soloed is “
Panem et Circenses
“, a 5.14b climb near Arco, Italy. The 15-m route was climbed without ropes by 52-year-old Alfredo Webber (Italy) in March 2021.
How do you rock climb Half Dome?
There are generally two approaches used by climbers: 1)
Hike up from Happy Isles up the Mist Trail through Little Yosemite Valley
(approx. 8 miles to the shoulder of Half Dome). 2) Head over from Happy Isles past Mirror Lake and hike up the “Death Slabs”.
How many flights of stairs is the Half Dome hike?
Half Dome has an elevation of 8,844 feet and sits 4,737 feet above the valley floor. It takes an equivalent
473 flights
of stairs to reach the top, which means 118 trips from the First Floor Lantern to the McFadden-Willis Reading Room.
How many calories do you burn hiking Half Dome?
While anyone in decent shape can make it to the top, it does require some training and a heck of a lot of walking. Plan on taking about 30,000 steps on the Half Dome trail, gaining almost a mile in elevation and burning
4,000 calories
.
