Half Dome; A mixed bag

Our journey east began a day late (thanks to US Air delaying Mike’s flight out of Texas by nearly 12 hours). Nonetheless, he finally made it to San Francisco, California and almost as soon as he arrived, we were off.

Because of this late start, Jay backed out of the Half Dome hike and we started to question if it was even feasible for us… Getting to Yosemite, up the mountain and back down the mountain all in a day is definitely discouraged by park officials.

In true Green/Bucy fashion we decided to squeeze the 17 mile hike in anyway. The memories that stem from that decision are a mixed bag; some priceless, some painful, all unforgettable.

I’ll start with the great parts of our Half Dome hike:
- The scenery was beautiful, our conversations were great, and the sense of accomplishment once it was over was huge!

- Mike spotted a forest fire across the valley from the top of Half Dome. He called 911 and was recognized as the first responder. They immediately sent helicopters and forest fire-fighters out, which we were also able to see from the top of "The Dome."

- We had a unique cultural experience when we stumbled upon a group of Amish teenagers in traditional dress and hiking boots. I was shocked by the fact that these girls could actually hike Half Dome in full length dresses! (This picture is hardly the best shot but it’s the only one I could take without feeling rude. Ironically, the Amish hiker has stopped to share her water with an exhausted stranger she passed on the trail. This confirmed the reputation I had of Amish people as being very generous and kind.)









Now for the not-so-favorable parts of Half Dome...

Before we arrived in Yosemite, Mike mentioned this would be a reasonably tough hike. He also mentioned something about cables and that there are typically one or two people who die hiking Half Dome every year... Arrogantly, I disregarded both points. I made the general assumption that I was in better shape than the average person. I also knew that I had no fear of heights. Silly me!

For starters, we had to adjust to a significant change in altitude. Yosemite Valley rests at 3,800 feet above sea level. By the time we reached the peak of Half Dome, we were sitting at 8,800 feet.

On top of the altitude challenge, we ran out of water. It was 97 degrees and we were on a 17 mile hike. (I’m hardly the nature aficionado, but even I know this is not a healthy scenario. We ended up having to detour to a ranger station to ask for iodine tablets. Reluctantly, I drank brick-colored creek water the entire way down the mountain.)

On top of the altitude, and on top of the water issue, I was nearly paralyzed by fear upon seeing what the last 400 meters of the Half Dome hike actually looks like... Please take a look at this picture and tell me if (in a million years) you would have ever guessed that those tiny black specs are people? People!!! People - in America - who are trekking up a that steep of an incline unharnessed! I am all for adventure but holy $#*!

This second picture was taken merely as proof that the hike whooped-up on everyone (even youngest, most athletic among us).