Yosemite Half Dome Accident | The 9/21/23 Thunderstorm

[@angievelado206]

I was there too. My boyfriend is the guy that got hit by lighting. It was terrifying. Thanks for sharing your perspective of that day. We’ve found many videos from people and we now have a full story of what happened Sept 21,2023

[@jeffreyyoh]

wow, that must have been truly horrifying! I'm glad you guys are safe now :) I see you also made a video as well, thanks for sharing

[@MOAB-UT]

If he got hit, he would be dead. It struck NEAR him and he felt it- did not hit him directly.

[@rah938]

Lightning doesn’t have to strike you to kill you. My brother in law was killed as he slept in his tent by a ground charge. Your boyfriend was very, very lucky.

[@MOAB-UT]

@@rah938 They were exhagerating for views. Very common. Sorry about your B.I.L RIP

[@rah938]

@@MOAB-UT Yes, I realize. It just pushed my buttons, I’m sensitive to displays of colossal stupidity, like risking your life in so cavalier a fashion. It cost my sister’s husband dearly, all to overnight on a rocky promontory to take in the seasonal meteor showers. But thanks for the kind words.

[@phil1333]

Hey Jeff! I'm the father of the girl you hikded down the cables with. Crazy day! The series of events that took place in a such a short amount of time were mind-boggling. We made it down safe, nobody died and we live to fight another day. Glory be to God! Thanks for making this video.

[@jeffreyyoh]

Hello, you must be Kay's dad! Yes I'm glad we all made it down safe, that day felt like the longest day ever. Thanks for watching :)

[@user-rs9np8bc2c]

Thank You ( LORD)

[@PixicsAdventure]

That women that fell was really lucky, it's a miracle. This makes me not want to ever do that hike.

[@mogall8718]

Don’t let that scare you. I’ve done it twice. I checked weather conditions first and it was the best thing I’ve ever done

[@ZerolinGD]

don't do it if there's dark clouds when you're at the subdome and you'll be fine

[@thrummer1953]

I did it and it is one of My fondest Hiking memories. Dangerous but manageable. Highly recommended.

[@ceciliajauriqui3746]

You can see the storms rolling in from a distance and they usually roll in at the same time every day but as soon as you see them, you have to get down!!!

[@dabbking]

Yeah idk east these people are thinking

[@kayakinggrandmakelly7105]

This video is so beautiful that I don’t need to hike it. I can just watch this.

[@jeffreyyoh]

awesome, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikekorn6968]

I'm super athletic. I hiked up there 15 years ago. Cables were down. I got gloves anyway & began up. Got about 20 yards & nearly froze but was able to reverse back down. Don't mess with it like me. Very dangerous. Good luck

[@leinad2327]

Not smart to climb that day! I’ve done Half Dome 3 times, all with clear skies and dry. The granite was slippery enough even in those conditions.

[@WindTurbineSyndrome]

Ulises who is mentioned in this video (at 630 min in) also posted footage of the climb. Beautiful footage in your video. Glad you were safe. What a view! I hope to visit Yosemite some day.

[@jeffreyyoh]

Yes, Ulises' video gives more details about what happened! Glad I was able to hike with him and make it down safely together. Definitely visit one day, Yosemite Valley is beautiful :)

[@josephastier7421]

As I recall that sign at the base of the cables says don't go up there if ANY clouds are visible. I'm glad you made it and that everyone lived, but dang.

[@NoExperienceRequired]

I just watched Ulises’s video earlier. Great to see your perspective on that day too. Wow. That said, I can’t wait to climb it too!

[@jeffreyyoh]

Yes, Ulises' video is really crazy! Be extremely careful when you climb it :)

[@NoExperienceRequired]

@@jeffreyyoh I’m actually thinking of trying the hike with the ropes down now, sometime next spring. Somehow seems safer after watching a bunch of videos now.

[@jeffreyyoh]

@@NoExperienceRequired whoa that's crazy. be sure to wear sandals and don't bring water while you're there! you don't want all that extra weight to slow you down

[@NoExperienceRequired]

@@jeffreyyoh For sure, maybe even do it barefoot too!

[@NoExperienceRequired]

@@jeffreyyoh I was planning to wear Crocs but with the back strap down though, can’t be too careful!

[@dereckfleury9018]

I finally found the video! I was the one recording you at the base of the dome before the climb! We were right above the person who first fell and luckily made it down safe.

[@jeffreyyoh]

oh my goodness, yes thanks for helping me record! I'm so glad we all got down safe!

[@drewyager4020]

Don’t skip the intro. That was some great filming. 1:10 I was like heck yeah!!! Definitely when you see storms coming turn around and hike another day.

[@jeffreyyoh]

Thank you, that means a lot! And yes, you're definitely right and unfortunately I learned it the hard way

[@reubengarcia4773]

Man that was scary. That weather can be unpredictable & that could be deadly & Glad everyone was ok. I just spent 4 days in Yosemite September 11-14th. I found a climber that did the half dome hike & we had an Awesome conversation. I’m planning to do the Half Dome hike Next September & watched many videos of it. Hopefully i get a permit & cant wait to submit my application in march 🤞 Loved the 1st song from Hanz Zimmer “Now we are free”🎶😉👍

[@jeffreyyoh]

Awesome, glad you enjoyed Yosemite while you were there! Be careful when you get your chance to do Half Dome, and yes Hans Zimmer is the best :)

[@Actual_Sense]

If you need a raincoat on the approach and the sky is dark, that is indicating bad weather later. I also understand rain was in the forecast for this day. I'm glad everyone was safe, but would like to argue that this is not the result of unpredictable weather.

[@ZerolinGD]

@@Actual_Sense Yeah, this weather was not unpredictable. Based on the clouds visible before going up the subdome this was inevitable.

[@jonhaley8642]

Great hiking with you. I am thankful you got down safely

[@jeffreyyoh]

Hey Jon! Yes, I'm glad we were all safe in the end. Thank you so much for the permit and hopefully one day I'll do the Rockies in Colorado :)

[@_C_E_C_]

Just came from Ulises' video about this. He was the guy whos permit you got to be able to hike. Crazy..

[@jeffreyyoh]

Yeah it was super crazy!

[@dhruvgore9764]

Beautiful hike! Glad you're safe!

[@jeffreyyoh]

Thanks Dhruv! Couldn't miss out on this opportunity 😄

[@PixicsAdventure]

It's pretty common for things to by dryer in September since all the snow melt happens in the Spring. If you go to Zion around the same time, the water level is low enough to hike.

[@CBeard849]

I made that hike 3 times way before they started requiring permits. All 3 times I was blessed with good weather. I can't imagine the danger involved with being on those cables during a lightning storm.

[@rogsolaris7411]

Possibly my worst nightmare. Beautiful landscape!

[@scottyjbd]

Amazing story! Someone falls, people are struck by lightning, many are trapped and hailed on, and no one dies. 👏 Thanks for sharing.

[@LTV_inc]

Nice! I’ve been to the park a dozen times and still want to go back. Be safe out there.

[@MNP208]

Wow, beautiful footage! we hiked up the mist trail and down the John Muir. I really wanted to hike further but we had a dog waiting for us at the campground. We didn’t get a permit either. It was very dry for us last summer too.

[@user-wg3mi4dd9c]

That's absolutely beautiful

[@FiftiesForward]

Half Dome looks FULL DANGEROUS 🥺

[@FiftiesForward]

@phillydisco I bet..I can see how people get determined to do this but never me lol

[@toshiyaar7885]

So grateful that people did not die. So sorry the weather turned bad. What a scary beautiful place!

[@jeffreyyoh]

Yes, very grateful as well- there was another recent accident on the mountain too :(

[@SirenaWomanWarrior]

I just watched the longoria guys video and then found yours and realized you were both on the samehike

[@jeffreyyoh]

Yep we went up the hike together- he documented a lot more on his video though!

[@chadnolansmith-]

Hello! We talked with you at the top, you took a photo for us, and we’re actually in your video. Nice video and thanks for sharing…that was a crazy day

[@jeffreyyoh]

Hello, I'm glad you found the video! Happy that everyone was able to get down :)

[@antonioaguirre9663]

Gave me the chills when you said " im dead" im glad you didn't end up on the Outdoor Disasters channel

[@jeffreyyoh]

haha what a way to foreshadow the imminent events 🥲 i'm glad no one died that day

[@seniorzhang9114]

Wow, amazing. Glad everyone returned safely. Weather could be so unpredictable

[@rhousto1]

I've done it three times but we had good weather each time. It's a challenge but totally worth it. One on my climbs was after they removed the poles, as they do each fall. No harness, and we were the only ones on top for quite some time.

[@MrPhchello]

Beautiful and scary! Scared of heights but still want to try it. Glad to hear there were no casualties that day. Hopefully one day 😊

[@c.s.mcleod7383]

I'm afraid of heights. No way I would even think of attempting the climb.

[@entropyfu]

Hiked it in late August. It's pretty slick even when dry, I can't imagine doing it when that rock is wet.

[@frankramirez4818]

Glad you are OK. I could not imagine. Did this in 2011

[@sambodhmitra1973]

What a crazy story! Glad you're safe :)))

[@juliebear1505]

Considering the hiker's continuing disregard for the dangers here the steel ladder needs to be removed. This will stop all further accidents and being struck by lighting.

[@kuzii5399]

Hands down amazing 🙌

[@seangaffney581]

I've done Yosemite, half dome twice, and this is a tragic event with few people on the cables in the right equipment, you should be able to descend in between 15 and 20 minutes. I see in video how People are descending forward, and that's not the way to do it You'll lean out at a 45° angle and walk down backwards. you, get better grip, and you can move faster. Hope everyone recovers quickly.

[@BW-pr8qr]

6:35 With ANY threat of rain AT ALL, you should not climb the cables.

[@daquandollar3692]

Goat upload 💯💯💯

[@jeffreyyoh]

thank you, the iconic daquandollar 😤

[@user-xe2zn6vk2r]

Keep up the great videos man!! 🫶

[@jeffreyyoh]

Thank you!

[@gabrieladiscenza820]

The mistake was to continue the ascent when there were clouds gathering. Any remote sign there could be rain or adverse weather conditions, you are advised to not under any circumstances climb up half dome. It is not worth losing your life. You get amazing views for the sub dome anyway.

[@ssas98]

I'd say ONLY hike there if you are a very experienced hiker! The permit should include a physical test!

[@susanKWithAnE]

It rained before you started the ascent? Face-palm

[@kaykowalewski7899]

I gotta hike mist trail in the spring next time. That looked crazy!! haha

[@jeffreyyoh]

Yes you totally should! I'm glad you and your parents made it down safely and thanks for keeping me sane on the cables :D

[@geoffreyz123]

So good 😭😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏

[@64wulf45]

I just read in the news a poor woman died because of a sudden lighting storm and fell off the slippery path. I wonder if using clips per section would help ensure people did not slide off? It's terrible that happens every year, you are lucky and I am glad no one as hurt that day!

[@sarahchen9452]

great video jeff!! glad you’re safe

[@jeffreyyoh]

thanks Sarah! yes I am glad to be alive 🤣

[@roar1149]

It would be prudent if those hiking the cables had the upper body strength to be able to fully hang on if footing is lost. That large girl that slipped had no chance. I'm not making fun, it's actually scary that she attempted such a difficult route. Unless you're a climber, it's probably a good idea to use prussian knot, helmet and check the forecast. You could even see the rain hours ahead and the storm clouds before attempting summit. Storms develop unexpectedly but planning ahead would help too. I'm glad you and your new friend stayed safe.

[@bc9856]

Awesome video.

[@jeffreyyoh]

Thank you!

[@grayjusa]

I did this hike in 2009 and thought it was kinda kooky with all the people and the ladder. We did Yosemite falls the day before and I thought that was more difficult. We basically ran up it tho.

[@shortylucy]

OMg, this was the same day as that Spanish peaking guy … and the lady in front of him that freaked out. Bananas!!

[@paulkramer4176]

You guys were pretty fortunate not to have worse consequences. Normally they used to close the cables when there was any chance of lightning. I've climbed around there a fair amount, but only climbed on the cables maybe 4 or 5 times. You also got a decent view from the top. Often in the summer the view is poor because of smoke. And of course in a storm, people want to shelter in caves, but caves are "magnets" for lightning and should be avoided if there is any chance of lightning. Glad all survived.

[@jeffreyyoh]

I see, how were the cables when you climbed Half Dome? Were they extremely crowded as well?

[@craigbritton1089]

I have never seen the cables closed for a possible thunderstorm; people are told not to climb it then.

[@JeremyKang8]

Great video

[@jeffreyyoh]

Thank you!

[@StephanieRogina-lx1pt]

Whoever decided on letting people climb the half-dome wasn’t right. It’s way too dangerous to climb. In my opinion.

[@loralor8203]

Looks so scary

[@alexwang3363]

The intro makes me want to go hiking so bad

[@jeffreyyoh]

brooo Grand Canyon rim-to-rim 😩 who says no?

[@christiner2472]

We hiked to Vernal Falls in the late 80s! Does this count. Lolz. I put my feet in the falls and it was freezing but felt great after our maybe 2 hour hike. Forget the details it was a long time ago. 😂

[@evanshaw17]

As an experience, Sierra mountain guide in wilderness first responder the problem is that beginners are scared of things that they don’t need to be, and not scared of things that they should be. An intermediate hiker has a good grasp of what to be afraid of and what not to be afraid of, very experience person like myself has to be careful not to become complacent. Everyone has things to be careful about what you guys did. There was so incredibly irresponsible to yourself and the people that had to come and rescue people very very very very wrong. Why did this happen as a beginner you underestimate the risk of things you must listen to people who have more experience and knowledge Because you’re going to make some fatal mistakes you came with an inches of dying on that day. The speed and ferocity of a storm in the Sierras is something that people don’t realize the storms can come in between 30 and 70 miles an hour people have died up there many people, it’s not a pleasant way to die.

[@MOAB-UT]

I did it in 2019 and a women DIED the next day. Rain came in on a sunny day- she slipped and fell 500 feet. ALWAYS use a safety harness. The tether that attaches to the cable needs to have two clips on it so one is always on the cable when you unclip the other. Even if you are a good climber, remember, a 200lb. man 10 feet above you can slip and take you clean off the hill. R.I.P. Danielle She had a harness but was not clipped on when the rain set it. It happened real fast. We saw the helicoper body recovery operation. They did not even bring her into the chopper- she was about 100 feet below it in a covered basket. No need and that also takes extra time. It was very sobering and sureal. Enjoy nature, but respect those mountains and that weather. Your situation was clearly a no go but you hiked all the way up and you were to excited to stop. It almost cost you everything. I also noticed I was more careless on the way down. I too was excited, very happy (victorious!) I was not clipped in for most of my decent which in hindsight was not too smart either. Glad you survived and everyone was mostly ok, with (video) and fun stories to tell! www.nytimes.com/2019/09/07/us/yosemite-half-dome-hiker-death.html

[@jeffreyyoh]

Yes, you're exactly right. I'm sorry that happened. Sometimes, a lot of things are outside our control, and although we could always be better prepared, we have to respect nature for what it can do. It definitely makes you rethink life as a whole.

[@MOAB-UT]

@@jeffreyyoh Your going real deep my man. Just use a harness and don't do dumb sh*t like idunno, hiking up rock faces with a clear impending storm coming. And no- everything is in our control. Nothing happens TO us, it happens BECAUSE of us. Choices have consequences. Cool video though- despite you cut it off at the most interesting time cause you were afraid. You will hike up a sheer rock face during a storm but afraid your camera is going to kill ya? Interesting. Keep climbing higher- always.

[@Blackdog4818]

Is it 11 hours up and back?

[@dad102]

So cool. I did it twice.

[@carlwilliams6977]

8:30 With all due respect buddy, you should have been heading down at this point or sooner, and not sitting there shooting a video! I hope you appreciate that now!

[@jeffreyyoh]

Yes, you are absolutely right! I found out too late and had to learn that the hard way.

[@krabbe3]

So whats the issue why there was a traffic jam? Is the rock that slippery during rain or do some people ascend with not the right footwear (hiking boots) ?

[@jeffreyyoh]

Yes, the rock was extremely slippery even with the right hiking boots in the hailstorm. There essentially was water flowing down the rock as we descended so we could only rely on our cable grip to go down safely. Additionally, a woman fell down below, making everyone all extremely cautious. Passing by wasn't an option, so it was a single file line descending plank by plank until we could get to the bottom. Lightning also struck the cables, so we were cautious not to hold on the metal cables while resting on the wooden planks. Some people didn't have the right gloves (or any gloves), making the whole process slower.

[@krabbe3]

@@jeffreyyoh Sounds like hell... I wanna do half Dome before the end of the season this year but now I'm pretty unsure about it 😕 Are there thunderstorms every day or if the weather forecast says sunny it is sunny? Or is the weather changing like really quick?

[@jeffreyyoh]

@@krabbe3 The weather fluctuates quite a bit, unfortunately. When I went, the forecast showed 5% chance of rain and we ended up getting hounded by a storm. I would say feel free to do the hike until the cables, and evaluate the conditions while you're there! The hike up until the cables will be safe and the view from the subdome is gorgeous as well :)

[@krabbe3]

@@jeffreyyoh ok so if there are no visible clouds at subdome I can try the ascend? How long does it take to get up and down half Dome from sub dome?

[@jeffreyyoh]

@@krabbe3 Yes, definitely check for clouds. The cables itself take roughly 20 minutes up and 20 minutes down! The hike to the subdome is roughly 8 miles, though. Let me know if you have any more questions!

[@andrewcheng5288]

Wait I know this guy!!!

[@jeffreyyoh]

oh shoot I think I know him too!

[@JSees]

At the peak you can see that storm clouds are moving in. Get off that mountain now.

[@dabneyoffermein595]

the cables are not for the faint of heart. not sure where the "viewer discretion is advised" comes into play. safety comes into play knowing what's going to happen with the weather and avoiding it all together, not advancing cautiously. any chance of rain at all and you are absolutely slipping down without harness & biners. Gravity 1, climbers 0

[@c.s.mcleod7383]

3:55 "I met an old friend. What's your name?"😂(Yes,I twisted actual dialogue.)

[@Russojap2]

I can't believe the park service actually encourages people to climb up this thing...🤷 Tyat set-up is obviously inadequate and dangerous. What they need to do is charge for the permit to traverse it and hire a company to outfit the hikers with harnesses and assist them. They should really build a permanent set of steps there with safety rails.

[@stoneymcneal2458]

There was nothing in this video that required a warning from the narrator.

[@gottasay4766]

Nope. I’ll just climb it from here.

[@roncuz808]

Jealous of this. Kind of wish I kept asking for people with permits... cause the cables are going up now. Sigh.

[@jeffreyyoh]

It's ok, there's always next season!

[@M2ProMBP]

Climbing a mountain to celebrate your birthday….one speaks of life, the other takes life. You don’t seem very smart buddy.

[@90210sky]

please get a mic

[@marcusaurelius7039]

All those clouds should have been a reason not to climb.

[@sandychang8861]

You were “disappointed” in nature 🤦🏻‍♀️ it’s not nature’s job to impress you.

[@jeffreyyoh]

never said I was "disappointed" in nature!

[@leannevandekew1996]

4Q

[@anthonyhoang1376]

test

[@leannevandekew1996]

Too foolish to check the weather.

[@rezzer7918]

Talk much?

[@lamarwhittemore6166]

Promo_SM ✨