half dome..."the hike"

2006-06-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

MAKE SURE YOU CLICK ON THE PICTURES (they are just a few out of about 100).
(This is not exactly a blog but I havent got my domain yet. So, until then everything goes here)

The Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, California is one of the most beautiful and most strenuous hikes I have ever been on. It is considered one of the most difficult hikes in the Unites States and on Friday, June 17 we decided to embark on this. We drove approximately for three hours before we stopped at a "Motel" to stay overnight. However, we couldn't get the manager to wake up and had to spend the next five hours in the car. We woke up the next day at around 5 AM, freshened up a bit and left forYosemite Valley. We reached the base camp at around 8:00 AM and did a little shopping for batteries(we actually had forgotten batteries for my camera). The drive to the base camp was picturesque, the least to say.

We began the trail to the 'half dome' at 9:00 AM. The weather was just perfect, more than what we could have asked for and our first mile of easy walk brought us to the bridge that gives us a great view of the Vernal Falls (the picture to the right was taken from the bridge). Here we encountered the first difficult part of the trail: wet stone stair steps. By the time we reached the top of vernal falls, we were soaking wet from the vernal falls' water but it was very refreshing nevertheless . This is a good jaunt for families wanting a short hike and a spectacular view. This is where we took our first break. After a very short stint, we started climbing towards the top of nevada falls (a picture of the same can be seen below. The hike to the top of nevada falls was one of the most exhaustive walks I have ever had. The steep ascent with huge stone steps takes every ounce of energy out of your body. This was where I got seperated from my friends since I wanted to hike at a constant pace (the best way to hike).

After a trecherous 30 minutes of steep stone steps, the hike got easier. At this time, I had eaten two bananas, two protein bars and 1.5 ltrs of water. As I was easing towards the hike, I saw a stream flowing besides. Here, I stopped very briefly to take a dip and some pics. However, the water was so cold that I could only take a 1o second dip (check out the stream to your right). The dip was amazingly refreshing and it felt like I started the hike here. Soon I reached the half way point where another trail (the less picturesque one) joins. This is where "the hike" begins (2 bananas, 4 protein bars, 2.5 ltrs of water). The camera stayed inside the bag for quite some time from here since the trail was surrounded by huge trees with not much to take pictures of. And, for the next three hours I hiked at one speed reach a point from where you can actually see the dome (at this point...two bananas, 7 protein bars, 4 ltrs of water). The picture at the bottom is that of the dome, where I would reach later.

I took another short break here munching on two protein bars and re-hydrating myself with another ltr of water. And then I started my last stretch of hike towards "the point", the most difficult one too. An hour of climbing a steep rock mountain and two more ltrs of water gets you to the last hurdle (see to your right). I got to admit, when I first saw this I was a little speculative of going all the way up using just two cables clinging on to the dome. I thought..."If my mom would have seen this, she would have never allowed me to do this". Here is where I saw an old couple starting the hike up. That was all I needed. I started around 12:50 PM. Due to a lot of people reaching there at the same time, it took me an hour to reach the top. And there I was, an amazing hike up to 8882 feet above sea level. The view was simply scintillating. Check out me at the top (pictures below...thats me sitting and waving).

After an hour at the top, I began my journey back. The first decent using the cables was quite a thrill (check out the next picture). It was really tiring and my hands were beaten and bruised by the time I came down the dome. I and sameer (I met him again at the top) started our hike back at quite a pace. The journey back was much more easier than the hike up. However, a hike of 5 hours already with us, it was no cake walk. We took about an hour and a half lesser than we took for the hike up. Finally, I was at the bridge (remember the bridge), the place where I started and helped myself to another protein bar and a ltr of water. This was, by far, the toughest hike I have ever done and if you are one of my friends who I used to hike with back in India, you would know what I am talking about.

At the end of it, I had consumed 3 bananas, 12 protein bars (250 calories each) and 8 ltrs of water. Even then, I was starving and dehydrated. I changed three times during the hike and my bag got heavier because of the wet clothes. Says something about the hike, doesn it. We then drove for another four hours from yosemite valley and finally reached our home at around 1:30 AM. Took a nice long shower and just crashed to bed.

For people who want to hike "the dome": If you look up on the internet about the hike, most people scare you saying its too tough and you need to train for the hike. Well, it is very tough and takes a lot out of you to do this.
However, consider this. I saw two 8-year olds, a 65 year old and a blind man complete the hike to the top most point. That should give you enough inspiration to do it. That said, the more fit you are the more you will enjoy the hike. All you need is a good pair of hiking shoes, lots of water, lots of food (suppliments) and lots of determination and you are good to go.

food for blog?

half dome..."the hike"