How To Hike Half Dome - The Complete Guide

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The hike up to Half Dome, towering over the Yosemite Valley at 8846 feet, is one of the great bucket list hikes. You’ll pass iconic waterfalls, hike through majestic sequoias, and then pull yourself up steel cables to stand at the summit. There’s a lot to know before you start; this isn’t just a hike where you show up at the trailhead and go. There’s a decent amount of anxiety about the cables section of the hike for a lot of folks. In this guide, I will cover everything you need to know in a simple and step-by-step way. I’ll help you prepare, conquer your fears, bag the summit, and have a great time in the process.
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[@carldaniel6510]

When I did this hike this past June, I learned a tip from the ranger checking permits (she was stationed right at the bottom of the cables): Going up, go arm over arm on the right cable - don't try to hold onto both cables. Going down, go arm over arm on the left cable while facing uphill (i.e. descend backwards). Arm over arm on one cable is much easier and much faster than trying to hold onto both cables. Going up took an hour because of traffic jams; going down took maybe 15 minutes and even part of that was waiting for traffic. It had been 40 years since I was last on Half Dome, so it was great to get back there this summer!

[@leehawkins5795]

Your video brought back FUN memories of Sept 1985........I was working and living in Yosemite........my best friend and I made plans to climb Half Dome......when we told the minister of the Church of Christ in El Portal,{ where we attended}that we were going to climb Half Dome he said " Can I go with you?".........a few days later the 3 of us began our exciting day long hike and climb.......in the 80s it wasn't crowded on the cables .....we only saw 2 other people..........we walked slowly and carefully........no safety straps or anything........just used our hands and feet......going down the cables was easier for me than going up........one thing we all forgot to bring was a flashlight........the view from the top is amazing.........really beautiful.........I remember seeing a chipmunk at the top.........it was one of the best days of my life............back in the 80s you didn't need a permit or anything.......you could climb any day and time you wanted

[@Calidastas]

This was a super reasonable and helpful video. I just hiked this last week and even though I watched the videos, understood that photographs and video are bad at conveying scale, and prepared for 3 months for this, I was shocked at how massive and scary the sub dome and cables were. Pictures truly do not accurately reflect how insane and majestic this looks when you get there in person. It was also hard for me to train at elevation and I was feeling it at 8500+ feet. I managed by truly taking one step at a time, evaluating how I felt, and resting on the wood crossbars. Don’t look up or down, don’t look left or right unless you know you won’t get vertigo or have a panic attack. Repel backwards down the left side. Hand over hand up the right. Finishing this felt amazing. I wouldn’t trade the experience even though it pushed me harder than anticipated.

[@lauratoneykee7072]

I hiked half dome back in 1992 I was in 6th grade. We started in the early am just as the sun was rising. About 18 miles round trip. ( Up and down) we stopped at the second falls for lunch. Going up the cables was crazy no straps to anchor you while you climbed, just your hands and feet. Everyone goes up or down in the same 3 feet of space those going up must step to side for those going down. There is a few boards going across various sections of the cables to assist you while ascending or descending the cables. Don't look down!! You don't realize how step it is until you accidentally do look down while climbing but once you reach the top it's amazing how big it is on top and how far you can see. Most beautiful thing I ever seen. We reached the bottom around dinner time after spending about an hour on top. If you get a chance to get a pass to go do so(there was no pass needed when I went at 12yrs old) we carried my uncle who was quadriplegic up to vernal falls in 95/96 a week before the big rock slide. Crazy how it had changed so much after it happened. Still one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

[@Sadia_Moon]

I have a massive fear of heights, but for some reason I really really wanna try hiking the Half Dome. Hopefully someday I'll get the opportunity

[@sarahjanespa]

Spectacular information! I moved to Monterey,CA 4 yrs ago from Miami Beach. I won Wilderness permit for July’2024 entry. I cannot wait!!! Thank you a million for this valuable information Chris.

[@jadehewitt417]

I just wanted to thank you for your “How to Hike Half Dome” guide. It was the most thorough collection of information regarding the big hike and was an amazing resource to have on the trail. My girlfriend and I saved it as PDF and put it on our phones, so when we had moments of confusion during the hike, we pulled out the PDF and went on our way. It was a lifesaver!! Really appreciate your work! Thank you!

[@kareyreuben3869]

Thank you for this video. Yosemite is evocative all by itself, this hike would be the crown jewel.

[@acalora123]

Just scored permits this summer! I love that I can come back here to this video while looking forward to the trip.

[@XTCElites]

I’m terrified of heights but I will always try to do hikes like these, even though seeing it on video makes me nauseous. Seriously I almost feel like passing out during the climb and descent part of the video

[@tunnleking]

I've never done the hike, but it seems (from all the pics) that the most incredible thing is that you were the only one climbing the cables. Another enjoyable video, Thanks!

[@user-wt4tu4oz9q]

We hiked half dome earlier this week and your guide was so helpful - thank you! We loved it!

[@yessiperezz]

Amazing guide Thank you!!! This dome its in my bucklist!!!

[@carolguezen5829]

What a tremendously great explanation of this hike.

[@wtmcgivney]

Good job. I've hiked the Mt Baldy trail as you described. Back in the 60s there were 2in galvanized pipes in concrete on the Devil's Backbone section. But some were bent over 90 degrees. They're gone now in your video. Lots of great hikes in and around there like; Cucamonga Peak, Ontario Peak, the Three Ts all out of Ice House Canyon. Three Ts might require a car shuttle back to starting point. Thank you very much. Brings back fond memories.

[@QueenNoTeetha151]

With my severe anxiety about heights and everything I could never do this but its fun to see others do it. It seems kinda unbelievable to me but lots do it, even some of my close friends..Very cool!

[@DanCoffman]

That was fantastic. Even if I never make it to half dome this was a really cool video. Very professionally done. Thank you.

[@SAHamel_]

Awesome video, very informative and thorough. Thanks for sharing.

[@davido814]

Such a thorough and helpful video. I had never hiked Half Dome and your content and detail made me feel much more prepared and comfortable to do it (successfully!) about three weeks ago. It was a challenging, beautiful, and completely worthwhile climb! Thank you for taking the time to put the video together (I'm heading to Venmo now...) One tip I'd love to add for anyone using a Via Ferrata harness - which I highly recommend for both peace of mind and safety - is to keep the carabiner(s) in front of your hand as you slide it up the cable rather than dragging them behind. You can keep better track of the carabiners, don't have to reach behind you to access them, and you won't accidentally scare yourself if you forget to temporarily unclip when it you reach one of the poles and feel like you're getting yanked backwards. =) Thank you, Hiking Guy!

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you and glad you got to enjoy it - it's a classic for sure 👍👍👍

[@patrickdobson7714]

Thank you for all this amazing information. And so detailed! Very cool of you! I hope your channel takes off! Cheers

[@grownupgaming]

you the man hiking guy!

[@annemudrunnerb8497]

Excellent video! Thanks so much!

[@reeft]

What an excellent video, thank you!

[@curtengeland6526]

I've done Half Dome a few times, and enjoyed the hike each time. The cables are mesmerizing and the greatest hiking experience I've had. On one of my hike I counted the granite steps at Vernal Falls and I counted at least 850 of them. Then I realized why one of our hiking party refused to go back that way. At the time I was so wet, I was distracted from the step pain. Great video and I will probably watch it a few more times.

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you & glad you enjoyed the video. And yea, I went down the steps once and said it wasn't worth it. I can get a good pace going down all the JMT switchbacks and it's not much longer. And I can focus on the beer I'm going to drink at the bottom as opposed to watching my footing...

[@asiatravelasiatravel-fv6ob]

Look amazing hike look very beautiful PLACE nice VIEW Thanks so much for great sharing

[@kevengrasso3270]

Great video!!! I am planning and hoping to do this hike in the next couple years. Your video is very helpful.

[@JillianCampsArizona]

Very nice, considering submitting my two-day-ahead application for this. You’re really cinching it for me! Thank you!

[@Rapsgarage]

Great video!! I’m planning on hiking it this year.

[@seanmontgomery6621]

What a useful video! I had a vague idea of what hiking Half Dome involved from talking to others. This video gave me the information I needed to start planning my first trip.

[@Hikingguy]

Glad it was helpful! 👍👍👍

[@navsari1994]

Excellent informative video thank you

[@manishapatel9706]

Very informative video Thank you

[@vlextra]

Really informative, thanks!

[@jmdoutdoors5729]

Thank you very much, great job on explaining the trail. Beautiful.

[@Hikingguy]

👍👍🙏🙏🙏

[@gloriaballard]

Wow!!! I didn’t know there were cables for this hike. I had no idea this was possible without being a climber! I am super afraid of heights and my feet and hands were sweating just watching this video, but I like to challenge myself and not let my fears limit my life. I am so excited! Now I know what to train for!!! Thank you for this video!!!!!!!!!

[@margaritaflores1273]

Exelente, the best video. Thank you for all information.

[@48tiltheygraduate]

Thank you for all the helpful info and great visuals. Just applied for the preseason permit and hoping to do the Half Dome in June.

[@harinanji1518]

Excellent video, well presented, and it has got me PUMPED to do the hike now :)

[@50buttfish]

11:05 Met a guy coming down, with a big smile, "All I can think about is pizza & beer", as we were heading UP to live off of dehyrdrated meals. Yep, the rest of our time we thought about "pizza & beer". Stopped at a place south of Yosemite, got a pizza and beer, but could NOT finish it, dehydrated food shrunk our tummies.

[@shannonfrink7939]

For those of us who won’t ever be able to do this, this is great! I felt like I got the second best thing. Beautiful hike. Your video skills are wonderful. And I loved the little cat(?) running from left to right on the summit!

[@Hikingguy]

thank you!

[@napman99]

Thanks so much, particularly the GPS section from 6.10 to 10.30. Very helpful to see how it really is. I've been up to the summit few times. First time was in 2004 or 2005 (Memorial day) and few more times when permit were not required. Now I'm 74 and will get back up there again with or without permit.

[@Hikingguy]

You're welcome and glad it was helpful. I can't imagine what it was like on Memorial Day before permits, hopefully you weren't in a traffic jam. And yea, get back and do it again, I see folks in their 70s there all the time. Once I met a guy in his 80s who did it every year for quite a while. Really incredible.

[@ronlewis9374]

Thank you so much for your work. That hike has been on my bucket list as soon as I found out about it! Would like to check out some of the the other Yosemite hikes as well.

[@Hikingguy]

You're welcome, and yea, lots of great hikes at Yosemite, if you can't get a permit for Half Dome, def do Clouds Rest, another classic that doesn't require a permit. 👍

[@pjhutchersonschoolstuff7841]

Oh My Goodness!!!!😮😲😧🥴🙂🥰🥰🤩🥰🤗 SOOOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!! My father would take us on these kind of hikes & I Lov seeing this films!! Cant do the hike now but THIS is the next best thing🥰🥰Being Outside in Nature is the BEST!!!❣❣❣❤❤💯💯

[@ivanvigil3587]

Congratulations sr you make a great job 👏thank you very much for the information and the opportunity to see little by little ...

[@Hikingguy]

So nice of you, thank you! 👍

[@jkxelor1295]

Awesome thank you!

[@MotoDadHap]

Great video. Thank you for the information. I have subscribed 👍

[@DrVaderific]

Thank you so much for your awesome guide. I used it extensively in my preparation and I knew exactly what to expect and how to prepare for the hike. It was spot on! My only recommendation for other people is that it’s better to camp or stay near Yosemite as it’s hard to drive after such a long hike; I drove from San Jose to Yosemite at like 3am and then returned home at 12:30am. Very tiring! Another thing that I noticed is that when I returned down from the peak, there were no rangers stationed at subdome (at around 2:30 pm). I presume they leave at that time so if you don’t have a permit you may try to wait for after hours like 3pm; the downside being your return journey will be in the dark. This was one of the most strenuous hikes that I did, and I am really grateful to you Cris for this guide. It actually made me even more enthusiastic about hiking and I am going to try your other guides of backpacking and a multi-day hike that I’ve never done before. I wish you would make some hiking guides for the east coast like Blue Ridge or Shenendoah. I so wish that I lived in California as the there are so many beautiful hiking spots. Thanks once again!

[@Hikingguy]

Glad you got to enjoy it and yea, I feel your pain with the drive. It's something I have to do more often than not for other hikes. I have the east coast on my radar, just a matter of getting the time to do them - I used to hike there quite a bit until I moved to CA - stay tuned...

[@bobmurphy3061]

Best hike I’ve ever done. Great video. I wish I had this before I hiked. We did JMT on the way up, and the mist trail was really tough on my knees! Overall, a memorable hike.

[@Hikingguy]

Nice, yea, it's an epic one... and I've gone down the Mist too, tough to concentrate on those steps after a long day...

[@TheFtrejo]

How much time do you think was added going up via JMT? Thinking of avoiding the steep area of mist trail just in case knee starts giving out

[@bobmurphy3061]

@@TheFtrejo I’d say probably an extra hour. Worth it!

[@Robosci]

Doing it on Sept 17th 2023. Thanks for sharing your hike. Your video is super helpful.

[@2fox76]

How did it go??

[@jeremyking3986]

I won the pre season lottery!! Doing half dome in June

[@sudhakar185]

Do you mindsharing the exact date?

[@morena9556]

Thank you for this video! I think i just got more motivation to do this! I did angels landing in 2021 and that was my first ever big hike. I think i can do this. 😊

[@2fox76]

I'd recommend getting your lottery picks in. My wife and I submitted our max alloted and only got 1 day of all our picks. Still thankful we get to do it!

[@morena9556]

Just seen your comment and yes we are a group of 5 that are planning for this hike. We all applied for the lottery, I applied on the last day before it closed 😅 and my fiance was the lucky one to get the permit. Sept 4th is our day 😊 ​@2fox76

[@PT-mt6qw]

Summited yesterday. The best (and scariest) hike I have ever done, and this video guide and your article was immensely helpful. So thank you sir 🙏 Now most hikes which are said to be hard/scary turn out to be only moderately hard in real life as video/pics makes it looks worse. Not this one. The cables are as intimidating as seen in the video/pictures and I was surprised despite being completely ready (mentally and physically).

[@papajon62]

Great video. 16mm cable dia.? Now that’s detail! Good info on the alternative JMT route going back. Hope to do this June 2021

[@Hikingguy]

Ha thanks, yea, I go into more detail on the cables in the guide too. Just trying to demystify it so that people understand the experience and can conquer any anxiety.

[@seemaapatel4341]

@@Hikingguy Very detailed video! Thank you for all the info

[@carldaniel6510]

I last did this hike (in full) in 1978, but I remember every point of the trail like it was yesterday. Watching the video here I remember things like seeing a rattlesnake there, or taking a break over there, finding a spring over there, and so on. Hopefully I'll get back there this year!

[@Hikingguy]

Nice, and yea, that happens to me too, I remember small details like that. Hope you get out there soon. Check out the link in the description for permit tips, you can usually nab one short-term if you didn't get one already.

[@MiuMiu-dq6xt]

Very Beautiful

[@George.W]

I’ve backpacked to Little Yosemite Valley and camped for a night from Happy Isles, Lake Tenaya over Clouds Rest, and from Glacier Point via the Panorama Trail. The next morning, starting out at 6 am, I reach the cables by 8 am and practically have them all to myself. All of these approaches require a permit to stay in Little Yosemite Valley and to go up the cables.

[@Hikingguy]

Nice, I've actually done the same route and it's epic. I've found it's easier to grab the add-on permit for the cables when you have a backcountry, but that's purely anecdotal. Glad you got to experience that route.

[@HazyBlackest]

Really nice route. I once saw a dude hiking down, barefoot. That was so Hardcore.

[@edwardkenny2356]

Impressive that you were able to get video, both up and down, without other people on the cables 👍

[@Hikingguy]

Ha yea, there's usually a sweet spot about an hour after dawn when the early birds are done and the later folks are still hiking. Not always, but sometimes I get lucky.

[@PeePeeMilk]

I did this hike last summer, I’m pretty good hiker so I was able to do it in 8 in a half hours. Back and Forth. I will say that this hike was not easy, once you get to the permit spot. It’s still just uphill on steps. But I highly suggest it!!! The cables were fun and the peak was amazing. Also the blue jays are beautiful.

[@Hikingguy]

Congrats & glad you got to enjoy this one - it's a classic for sure and def a challenge in a lot of ways.

[@Oicurmty]

I got a 3 day pass, hiked to sub Dome, found someone with a spare permit within 5 minutes. If you want to do Half Dome just get up there and you will get a permi😊

[@samsterronie]

This is so helpful! I like the idea of having a harness on you for added peace of mind. I would bring one up just incase I wanted to use it. I was also curious how far you could go up the trail without a permit and you answered that for me. From what I gathered, you do not need a permit for a good bulk of the trail. The permit is only required once you reach the sub dome.

[@Hikingguy]

Yup, you can go to the sub-dome without a permit. Check out the link in the description - I have a strategy for getting a permit by waiting at the sub-dome if you don't have a permit. 👍

[@samsterronie]

@@Hikingguy wonderful! I will go ahead and check it out. Thank you for the help, very informative and helpful video!

[@Laura-gd4ku]

It honestly sounds insane to me to not clip in, you can always fall.

[@Superduper666]

I'd hike to the bottom but not go up. But I enjoy watching others do it

[@Drewvjr]

I love to hike but this is one I will never do. My hands were sweaty just watching this!

[@tardiscommand1812]

I'm right there with ya. It's amazing that videos make our hands sweat. I watched Free Solo and I'm sure I aged about 20 years of stress during that documentary lol

[@j.settles2988]

Ditto. My knees are shaking, too. Looks like you can slip right off!

[@ArgentiKnightOfBeauty]

I want to do this but I’m not as fit as all that people, I’m not sure I can do it

[@shanemoorehead1886]

That's why you wear tough durable gloves 😉

[@2fox76]

We get to do it this September weather permitting! Hit Angel's Landing last year looking forward to this!

[@paulfields6665]

Hiking Half Dome is probably the best hike for an amateur non-climbing hiker there is.

[@user-cf7pe3qg1c]

My husband and I hiked it from the valley floor. They had a pile of gloves at the top for people to use. That was in 2001 and no permit was required.

[@balidancer]

so beautiful yet so dangerous

[@pgreenx]

I did this in the 90's and just hiked it. no permits or anything but the cables were scary. Ill add. no one was there; all by myself!

[@Hikingguy]

Nice, yea, it's much nicer when it's empty.... I've heard that before permits they had up to 1200 day, can't even imagine..

[@milwaukeemotor5995]

the fact that people do this of all ages is astonishing, wish i didn't have a fear of heights

[@wildrosecece]

Those cables are a lot better than what was there in the 90’s. And there was no limits to the people on that trail so we stuck on the cables with both people going up and down.,

[@teebooskii]

I don’t hike, never will hike, but somehow stumbled upon this video and it’s very informative and super cool to watch! Thanks c:

[@stevenholland2369]

Tremendous video, and I will check out the linked article. Thanks for great detail. Just returned from my first trip to Yosemite, blown away, can't wait to go back. One of our hikes was just above Vernal Falls on Mist, back down on JMT, now my life project is to go back and do Half Dome. What is the general schedule when the cables are "down" versus "up"? I will wear a harness and tether to the cable. I'm thinking use of a prussik loop is more of a pain than a help on the cables. Hope to come in Spring 2022 when the falls are roaring. Thanks!

[@Hikingguy]

I probably wouldn't try it first time with cables down. Check out the link in the article for a whole slew of info on the cables including up/down times. I'd wait until they open in May and go for it then, it's a fun one 👍

[@gunner2gunner]

I blew out my left knee, tearing 3 out of 4 ligaments while snow skiing. Had ACL surgery in 2014. I now snow ski, play tennis and backpack with a knee brace. When my brother and I climb the Half Dome, we will be using a Via Ferrata. Not because of fear, but because I don’t trust others people on the cables.

[@Hikingguy]

Agree, it's the other people in front of you. A Via Ferrata is worth it when it's crowded.

[@jeffreykoerner3036]

I did all possible during winter months. I would love summer to get in half dome. My last time out there I carried two granite bowling balls home from upper yosemite falls base. I still own them.one of my favorite spots on this planet.

[@Drive3SIX5]

Just imagine, every single hiker coming down with granite bowling balls, they would close that place right quick, dumbass.

[@mrdavesoutdooradventures]

Another brilliant video! Thank you for this! I’m planning a trip to Yosemite in 2021. What time of year do you recommend?

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 🙏 - Spring is a great time, crowds are reasonable and the streams are flowing. If you want to do some higher peaks and want to avoid snow, Fall is the move

[@phoreal9273]

When you get anxious, just think of what Alex Honnold has to face when he free solo the El Capitan and you will feel a lot better...

[@ColemanOutdoors]

Great video! Now I need to go to Yosemite. It's been a few years. Need to get my son up there too!

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, good time to start planning for next year. Right now it's a mess with the fires > instagram.com/p/CE71Sj7sC13/

[@ColemanOutdoors]

@@Hikingguy wow...That photo! What a bummer. ☹

[@teleowl2841]

@hikingguy update 7/17/23: Ranger checkpoint at sub dome has a sign posted not to ask them or other hikers for unused permits. Thanks for all you do.

[@Hikingguy]

Thanks for letting me know, will uipdate the guide! I scored a permit for later in the year so update coming as well...

[@audracarangelo9404]

Really appreciate this video! My Mom and I have Permits for October 13th!

[@audracarangelo9404]

We're planning on starting the hike at 3AM. I've heard that it's dangerous to navigate the Mist Trail in the dark? Do you recommend taking the John Muir trail up in the dark or do you think the Mist Trail is ok to hike on?

[@Hikingguy]

Congrats! And Mist Trail is fine in the dark, have done it many times. Have a good headlamp, we're a rain shell, and watch your footing and you'll be fine.

[@thesebarehandsmusic]

Great video. What kind of food rations do you pack for 2 day approach?

[@oliviafountain864]

Hi! So I’m not sure if you’ll even see this but my sister and I are planning to hike half dome on Tuesday but we were not lucky enough to win the daily lottery. I am planning to do the permit jumping but am curious what exactly it entails. How do you go about asking to get onto open spots? Do you have to pay the permit price still? Any tips you have would be GREATLY appreciated since this is my first half dome adventure of my 30s! My goal is to hike it every year of this decade and I really need this trip to work out 🤞 Thank you so much and I appreciate all of your half dome tips! I bought the shoes you recommended also!

[@DiosaDe1So1]

My hands and feet were sweating just watching this. Terrified of heights, but this I actually want to try, lol. Go figure 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Hikingguy]

Ha yea, there's def some anxiety involved for most people, but that said, I've seen tons of folks of all shapes, sizes, ages, etc. do this, so you can too!

[@meghanadele2515]

Thank you for your guides!! The details and how thorough you are really has calmed my nerves. My boyfriend surprised me this morning with the news our lottery was chosen and we go in 3 weeks! I’ve been anxious all day because I’m afraid of heights. Your detailed guides and information on the via Ferratta have reduced my anxiety from a 10 to a 3.5! lol. So now I’m actually looking forward to it. Do you know the best time to leave? How long does it take to get to the cables?

[@Hikingguy]

Congrats and thank you! Most folks get to the sub-dome in around 3-4 hours, and just from anecdotal experience, it's busy around sunrise and few hours after and then there's a lull later in the morning. I've also been there in the afternoon (3pm) and I've had it to myself. You can always just hang out at the base until it gets less crowded too.

[@ericwang3156]

Thanks for the video! Is it windy up there?

[@Hikingguy]

It can be. But I've also been there and it's dead calm.

[@MyDailyDosePractice]

Love all your videos and information: priceless Question though. Do you have a good link for AllTrails correct hiking trail for the cables hike from Curry Village? There are so many on there and I find it hard to find the correct one to follow where I won't get lost. I'm ordering the NatGeo Map for Yosemite as well. Thanks for any link or info!

[@Hikingguy]

You can use the GPX file on my site, download it and then import it into AllTrails (create new map). Otherwise this one is good: www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/half-dome-via-the-john-muir-trail-jmt?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map

[@mariaelenavaughn8004]

Superrr👍

[@billhackley3540]

the amount of work that went into constructing that trail, wow. total distance round trip? awesome video!

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 🙏 && about 17 miles with farting around and coming back on the JMT

[@billhackley3540]

@@Hikingguy well within a day hike range for me. been locating/rebuilding a trail for the forest service last two months with my 64s, two days ago fired up my new 66i WOW! the screen resolution

[@billhackley3540]

been a salomon guy for 20+ years. back to back failures recently, i'm looking at la sportiva saber this a.m. had their karakorum for many years

[@Hikingguy]

@@billhackley3540 Been trying out La Sportiva Wildcat and really liking them

[@KTLBT]

that cable climb is freaky. video doesn't do it justice. I chickened out only part way up.

[@danmoore2962]

I'll be there in September 2024

[@HDBnB1]

Would november be a good time to go? Will there be snow? Will the leaves be orange? How cold is it?

[@shallisy6]

Love your website and videos! My wife and I are going to be doing this hike. Do you think trail runners like the Altra you recommend have enough grip for the cable section? Or would you recommend a more traditional hiking shoe for this?

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 👍🙏 and glad the site has been helpful. You'll be good with Altra Lone Peaks here. I've used them on the cables and they grip just fine. I've seen people in Converse too, think anything that has a decent sneaker tread is good. Have fun!

[@shallisy6]

Thank you so much!

[@sluggotinfantryman]

Last hike I did in winter. Went up Nevada. Solid ice. Camped at base. 2 feet of snow. Went up. At first hump. 3.5 feet. At cables section 4 to 5 feet day before. Started up. Said nope. Watching helicopter at Nevada. Women broke her back on ice. One of those deals where you can walk right up in crampons. Free solo wannabe. I thought fresh snow will avalanche me right off side. 🤔 Left. I did do Dana May 31st. 3 feet fresh snow at top none at Fee Booth. On way down two Indians husband and wife were going up in jeans and running shoes. Passed us near top. Snow up to there knees. Happy as could be. Us MSR lighting II snow shoes. Mountaineering boots. Gaiters. Poles.

[@stoehr]

Wish I would’ve hiked more around Yosemite when I lived closer (Grizzley Flats in the ‘80s). Is that a Casio Pro Trek watch you’re wearing? If so…I have the exact same one (hunter orange/drab green).

[@Hikingguy]

Garmin Fenix in that one

[@steveo601]

The weather is the consideration for this hike. Half dome gets the largest number of lightning strikes in the park. There is no cover up there. Even a 20 percent chance of a pop up with any cumulous overhead would be a no go for me

[@utherpendragon4227]

I’ll never see it, height, and steepness of that cable run is just too much, and people have perished there. I understand we take risks every day, mostly from necessity, but this is voluntary, anyway nice to watch you do it.

[@WalkerRacing]

Just climb the regular northwest face. Fewer tourists that way 😝

[@kenedward4585]

Thanks for the video! We want to backpack either the 2nd or 4th week in May 2021, starting with half dome, then clouds rest, and then sunrise lakes, and back down echo valley. I know snow/weather can vary yearly, but do you have any sense of the probability of the trails being passable up to sunrise lake from half dome in mid/late May?

[@Hikingguy]

Yea, it's the edge of the season, and my guess is that you'd probably have some snow up along Tioga. The trails are popular and unless the snow is very fresh, you'll probably have some tracks and use before you go.

[@johanrolon6363]

hello... excellent video and explanation... a question how to approach time is weather from the base of the valley to the dome... thank you

[@Hikingguy]

You want to leave as early as possible. Generally thunderstorms pop up in the afternoon (but can happen at any time). Most folks leave around 4am or so and hit the dome in the morning.

[@johanrolon6363]

@@Hikingguy thanks.... great job ...

[@DJx6293]

How long does it take from the parking lot to half dome and back?

[@aazimsheikh6030]

Looks awesome! I wonder though, if the boards and poles aren't secured into the ground, how exactly would one be any safer with the harness? If you slip, aren't you then screwed either way?😅

[@Hikingguy]

the cables are secured at intervals along the granite, so you can only fall so far

[@oldirtydasher]

So you go up the same cables you came up? What about people coming up? Is there room for both descending and asending hikers?

[@bretreidy9311]

There is a critter moving at 22:34 at the top