142134 -
142135 -
142137 - 
142138 -
142139 -
142141 - ..
142142 - Neveda Falls Took Steeper Mist Trail Rather than John Muir Trail
142143 -
142144 - Follow up ref SDS 66 6Q63, ref SDS 60 6Q63.
142145 -
142146 - Hiking up from Vernal Falls, there is a sign that says the trail
142147 - splits. John Muir Trail (JMT) veering to the right is flatter and
142148 - longer about 1.6 miles. The steeper trail is only 1.3 miles. Last
142149 - year took the steep trail, reported on 150916 0535, ref SDS 66 6Q63,
142150 - which resulted in a fall that ended the hike. ref SDS 66 O87H More
142151 - recenntly, 3 weeks ago completed test hike using Mist Trail to Nevada
142152 - Falls, shown in the record on 160825 0143, ref SDS 83 NE4F
142154 - ..
142155 - Today, decided to take shorter, steeper Mist trail to Nevada Falls in
142156 - order to save time and increase exercise. Took this shorter trail
142157 - three (3) years ago, to save time, reported on 130918 0620.
142158 - ref SDS 31 6Q63 Two (2) years ago, took the longer and flatter trail,
142159 - because of poor conditioning caused by metatarsalgia feet injuries the
142160 - prior 2 months, reported on 140917 0540. ref SDS 60 6Q63
142162 - ..
142163 - Ascended Mist Trail today, better than on the trial hike 3 weeks ago
142164 - on 160825 0143. ref SDS 83 QX4I
142166 - ..
142167 - Was pleased to get past the location where the fall occurred last year
142168 - hiking the Mist trail to Nevada Falls, reported on 150916 0535.
142169 - ref SDS 66 O87H
142170 -
142171 -
142172 -
142173 -
142174 -
142176 - ..
1422 -
1423 -
1424 - 0827
1425 -
142501 - Nevada Falls Ranger Station and Rest Area
142502 -
142503 - Follow up ref SDS 66 G66H, ref SDS 60 G66H.
142504 -
142505 - At the top of Nevada Falls there is a rest area with Ranger Station
142506 - and restrooms; however, there is no water, as there is at Vernal
142507 - Falls, per above. ref SDS 0 J39M
142509 - ..
142510 - Several signs show the trail splits between the John Muir Trail and
142511 - the Mist Trail. Mileage markers indicate distance to the top of Half
142512 - Dome (about 4.5 miles), and going down to Vernal Falls. The John Muir
142513 - Trail (JMT) is longer, but flatter, while the Mist Trail is steeper
142514 - and shorter, as explained above. ref SDS 0 P69I
142516 - ..
142517 - Most hikers return to the Valley, taking the John Muir Trail.
142519 - ..
142520 - We rested here for about 10 minutes, then continued up the trail
142521 - toward Little Yosemite Valley and Half Dome.
142522 -
142523 -
142524 -
142525 -
142526 -
142528 - ..
1426 -
1427 -
1428 - 0850
1429 -
142901 - Little Yosemite Valley Trail Relatively Flat .5 Miles
142902 -
142903 - Follow up ref SDS 83 M69J, ref SDS 66 M69J, ref SDS 60 M69J.
142904 -
142905 - The trail leaving Nevada Falls rest area, is very rocky and irregular.
142906 - Requires concentration hiking uphill with a mild grade for about .25
142907 - miles. Then the trail for the next .25 miles becomes flatter and
142908 - easier with less rocks and more normal walking surface going slightly
142909 - downhill into Little Yosemite Valley.
142911 - ..
142912 - We stopped to eat about 15% of way through Little Yosemite Valley.
142913 - Lindsey guided us from the trail over to the Merced River about 100
142914 - yards. Filled water bottles from the river. The filtered and
142915 - collapsable water bottle would last the rest of the way to the top of
142916 - Half Dome, and getting back to this location where the bottle can be
142917 - filled again. Lindsey seemed to be carrying 3 or 4 water bottles in
142918 - her pack.
142920 - ..
142921 - Took a picture next to the Merced River...
142922 -
142923 -
142925 - 
142926 -
142928 - ..
142929 - Ate some cherrios, and drank water. Lindsey offered a cracker with
142930 - cheese, and some cumcumber - very good.
142932 - ..
142933 - After resting for about 20 minutes, continued up the trail through
142934 - Little Yosemite Valley.
142936 - ..
142937 - The trail through the valley is mostly flat for about half-mile, but
142938 - very sandy. It is marked by small diameter logs on either side. A
142939 - path has been formed by hikers on the edge of the main trail because
142940 - firmer soil makes walking easier. This conserves energy. You have to
142941 - step over a few logs along the way that traverse the path and not the
142942 - main trail. These logs are mostly less than 2' in diameter, so this
142943 - is easier than walking in the sand.
142944 -
142945 -
142946 -
142948 - ..
1430 -
1431 -
1432 - 0958
1433 -
143301 - Fatigued Half Dome Prospects Precarious
143302 - Precarious Prospects Making Half Dome Very Fatigued Long Switchbacks
143303 - Long Switchbacks Very Fatigued Prospects Precarious Reaching Top Half Dome
143304 -
143305 - Follow up ref SDS 60 T39F. ref SDS 31 PL60.
143306 -
143307 - Past Little Yosemite Valley, the trail starts uphill again. There is
143308 - soil some of the way with shrubs, some grass, here and there, a lot of
143309 - trees, and also open space, where you can see across to other mountain
143310 - ranges. This uphill is 4 miles of continual switchbacks going up the
143311 - backside of Half Dome. The trail is less steep than Vernal and Nevada
143312 - Falls, but there are no cliffs to steady and assist in pulling the
143313 - body uphill. Switchbacks vary from about 10 - 50 yards. There are
143314 - many locations where footing is difficult due to irregular, rocky
143315 - ground conditions.
143317 - ..
143318 - Now, 4 hours into the hike, fatigue became a problem. After about a
143319 - mile going continually uphill, had to stop and rest seemed like every
143320 - 5 - 10 minutes. We were passed numerous times along the trail by
143321 - other groups of hikers. Legs cramped - both calves and quadraceps.
143322 - Balance became wobbly on this stretch. Dehydration from limited water
143323 - could have been a factor. Fatugue was due mostly to lack of
143324 - conditioning caused by injuries to feet and knees, and by stroke
143325 - symptoms that prevented training, per above. ref SDS 0 Q14H
143327 - ..
143328 - Lindsey commented that difficulties hiking the long switchbacks
143329 - indicate prospects of reaching the top of Half Dome seem "precarious."
143330 - She noted the sub-dome switchbacks will be much more difficult. Then
143331 - we have to ascend hand-over-hand 700 feet up the Half Dome cables.
143333 - ..
143334 - Said: We'll figure something out when we get there.
143336 - ..
143337 - As we progressed slower and slower up the mountain, Lindsey asked
143338 - several more times about ending the hike, as the safer course of
143339 - action. She cited the fall last year, and maintained that getting
143340 - back in one piece today, having ascended to Vernal Falls and Nevada
143341 - Falls, and over halfway to Half Dome demonstrates good physical and
143342 - neurological function.
143344 - ..
143345 - Since we were 2/3rds to .75 of way to the top, decided to continue.
143346 - Another factor was friends, relatives and doctors in cardiology,
143347 - neurology, primary care, wound care, GI, i.e., everyone, urged against
143348 - doing this hike, as too difficult and dangerous at age 71. Under the
143349 - circumstances, short of death, quitting wasn't an option. Besides
143350 - there was curiosity to see if it could be done? Despite limited
143351 - training this year due to medical maladies, training in 2013, when the
143352 - top of Half Dome was reached for the 1st time at age 68, was about the
143353 - same as this year. Had trained hard in 2014 and 2015, so seemed like
143354 - it should be possible, even in light of professional cautions.
143356 - ..
143357 - About halfway going up the Long Switchbacks someone coming down asked
143358 - if we had permits for the cables?
143360 - ..
143361 - Later, another person coming down said we will need permits to go up
143362 - the cables to the top of Half Dome. Since cable permits were received
143363 - on 160428 1154, ref SDS 76 HI9J, we were ready.
143365 - ..
143366 - Somewhere along the route of these Long Switchbacks, there was
143367 - previously a small, natural spring where water bottles could be
143368 - filled. Ross used this spring for the hike on 940917 0742.
143369 - ref SDS 2 HB54 Some 20 years later, I had forgotten about it during
143370 - the hike on 130918 0620, ref SDS 31 WM5I Today, Lindsey carried a lot
143371 - of water and so didn't stop to refill water supply. Possibly, the
143372 - spring has dried up. As a result, still don't know where the spring,
143373 - if any, is located.
143374 -
143375 - [On 180912 0545 durng 3rd climb to top of Half Dome,
143376 - Lindsey stopped near top of Long Switchbacks to refill
143377 - water at a small, natural spring behind a large 6' diamter
143378 - tree cutout for the trail. ref SDS 87 XC4M
143379 -
143380 -
143381 -
143383 - ..
1434 -
1435 -
1436 - 1208
1437 -
143701 - Sub-Dome Switchbacks Most Difficult Trail to Half Dome
143702 -
143703 - Follow up ref SDS 31 3X7M.
143704 -
143705 - Somehow, finally reached the base of the sub-dome at elevation 7,900
143706 - feet. There is a clearing with flat, rocky terraine. Somehow big
143707 - trees are growing. You can look up and see Half Dome in the
143708 - distance, but not the cables. They are on the other side.
143710 - ..
143711 - Looking across the gourge there is unique rock formation called
143712 - "Clouds Rest." Several huge rocks at the top of a formation are
143713 - rolled/curved giving the impression of clouds in the sky.
143715 - ..
143716 - We rested here for about 10 minutes, then started up the sub-dome
143717 - switchbacks.
143719 - ..
143720 - Interestingly, there was no Park Ranger to verify we had permits for
143721 - using the Half Dome cables, as there was previously on 130918 0620.
143722 - ref SDS 31 W77N This conflicted with the 2 guys coming down the trail
143723 - earlier, who said we needed permits, per above. ref SDS 0 TP7L Might
143724 - be that the guys who made these comments were the Park Rangers, and
143725 - simply decided to leave early today. Where's quality control???
143727 - ..
143728 - The sub-dome switchbacks are much more difficult than ascending the
143729 - Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and to Nevada Falls, explained in the
143730 - record above. ref SDS 0 WR58 Moreover, Lindsey was totally correct
143731 - saying difficulties ascending the long switchbacks, per above,
143732 - ref SDS 0 RN4N, are signficantly greater doing the sub-dome
143733 - switchbacks.
143735 - ..
143736 - Obviously, the body is tired from the climb to get here.
143738 - ..
143739 - This trail is steeper and narrower than the Mist trail. There are
143740 - very few cliffs to use hands for balance steadying the body from one
143741 - step to the next. Fatigue invites error, compounding risks hiking up
143742 - these switchbacks. Had to maintain balance on the steep, narrow trail
143743 - as other hikers pass by going up or coming down the trail. Stopped to
143744 - rest frequently, simply sitting on the step above. As fatigue and
143745 - balance deficits increased, simply bent over and placed hands on the
143746 - steps above, effectively crawling up steps a few at a time, then
143747 - resting before doing another few steps. In all this effort, Lindsey
143748 - was only a few steps ahead, and observing to lend assistance, if
143749 - needed.
143751 - ..
143752 - Finally reached the top of the sub-dome steps. Lindsey was about 10
143753 - yards ahead. The sub-dome granite rock curves, so it is necessary to
143754 - walk up this slope without benefit of steps. Doctor Wiseman remedied
143755 - BPPV vertigo balance problems, using the Epley maneuver to restore
143756 - calcified crystals from the semi-circle balance rings to the
143757 - vestibular chambers near both ears, reported on 160707 0900.
143758 - ref SDS 78 414G However, despite this medical remedy, maintaining
143759 - balance on a curved slope requires strength, which elevated fatigue
143760 - eviscerates. At this point fatigue was very high, so there was
143761 - concern, actually fear, about maintaining balance on standing up.
143762 - Somehow, set fear aside and stood up vertical. keeping head level for
143763 - balance, walked up the slope.
143765 - ..
143766 - On reaching Lindsey, seemed to tip slightly when the right leg buckled
143767 - due to fatigue. Lindsey grabbed my arm, while I quickly regained
143768 - balance. Good teamwork.
143770 - ..
143771 - These conditions make ascending the Sub-Dome switchbacks the most
143772 - difficult part of hiking Half Dome. There are no balance problems
143773 - doing the cables, because with a strong grip the cables provide a
143774 - stable anchor for making the ascent. Of course the cables present
143775 - other problems, e.g., strength, fear of heights looking down, lack of
143776 - footing, so many would say they are the most difficult part of the
143777 - Half Dome experience.
143778 -
143779 -
143781 - ..
1438 -
1439 -
1440 - 1305
1441 -
144101 - Top of Sub-dome Ascending Cables to Top of Half Dome
144102 -
144103 - Follow up ref SDS 31 TS53.
144104 -
144105 - We then walked to the top of the sub-dome, where we could see the
144106 - massive Half Dome rock looming in the sky, with hikers going up and
144107 - coming down the cables. Lindsey took a picture...
144108 -
144109 -
144111 - 
144112 -
144114 - ..
144115 - From the top of the sub-dome, the trail descends 40 or 50 feet to a U
144116 - shaped crevice where the Half Dome cables begin. This is another
144117 - curved shaped rock surface, where balance is challenging. Having
144118 - rested a few minutes, navigated this descent without concern.
144120 - ..
144121 - We then rested for about 10 minutes along with others watching people
144122 - going up and coming down the cables. Looked crowded and risky.
144124 - ..
144125 - This was reminisent of first time doing Half Dome in 2013...
144126 -
144127 -
144128 - 
144129 -
144131 - ..
144132 - Lindsey suggested we get going, so we are not still coming down back
144133 - to the Valley floor after dark.
144135 - ..
144136 - Got the gloves from the backpack for going hand-over-hand up and down
144137 - the wire rope cables. They were purchased on 140403 1254, ref SDS 46
144138 - T64O, for hiking Half Dome in 2014, but that ended due to severe feet
144139 - pain from metatarsalgia, reported on 140917 0540. ref SDS 60 U33O
144140 - Planned to use the gloves for the hike last year, but that ended in a
144141 - fall, reported on 150916 0535. ref SDS 66 O87H So today, finally get
144142 - to use these specialized gloves to climb the cables.
144144 - ..
144145 - Offered the 2nd pair to Lindsey. She elected to use gloves from the
144146 - stock pile of used gloves hikers leave on ending their Half Dome cable
144147 - descent, which is at the foot of cables. In 2013, I used gloves from
144148 - the stockpile, ref SDS 31 TS53; but, had difficulty getting adequate
144149 - grip on the cables. ref SDS 31 LQ8K
144150 -
144151 -
144153 - ..
1442 -
1443 -
1444 - 1326
1445 -
144501 - Half Dome Cables Last 700' Hand-Over-Hand
144502 -
144503 - Follow up ref SDS 31 YX6J.
144504 -
144505 - Lindsey went first. Don't know how she pulled herself up the cables
144506 - with what seemed like a 60 pound pack. I went after her, but fell
144507 - behind, as others passed me ascending the cables.
144509 - ..
144510 - As reported in 2013, it is difficult to explain the difficulty, at
144511 - least for me, of traversing the shear granite surface to the top of
144512 - Half Dome, using the wire rope cables. ref SDS 31 YX6J The peak of
144513 - Half Dome was declared "perfectly inaccessible" in the early 1870s, by
144514 - Josiah Whitney of the California Geological Survey. In October 1875,
144515 - George G Anderson climbed to the top of Half Dome by drilling and
144516 - placing iron eyebolts into the granite surface. (see Wikipedia as
144517 - well...
144518 -
144519 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_Dome#Ascents
144520 -
144522 - ..
144523 - This cable aspect of the hike makes Half Dome rated 1 of the 10 most
144524 - difficult hikes in the world. Some people "tie-off" on the cables
144525 - moving from one stanchion to the next, every 10 feet apart. A great
144526 - many become fearful, even crying as they get into the ascent, but more
144527 - often descending, because in coming down the cables people are looking
144528 - down and so are visually more aware of severe adverse prospects from
144529 - falling, i.e., fear of heights is more acute on the way down.
144531 - ..
144532 - An unexpected challenge is the slippery surface of the granite rock,
144533 - made more so by the many people who literally polish the surface going
144534 - up and down the cables everyday. With focus this is overcome, but
144535 - initially it is discerning feeling feet slip against the rock surface.
144536 - This is solved by adjusting the angle of feet and legs to press more
144537 - horizontally to the curvature of the rock. However, this increases
144538 - pressure on hands and arms. Need for grip strength and favorable
144539 - bicep strength-to-weight ratio for pulling the body 700' up the cables
144540 - comprise a daunting adventure. These conditions cause some, who reach
144541 - the top of the Sub-Dome, to avoid or turn back on attempting the
144542 - cables.
144544 - ..
144545 - Today, I ascended the cables much better/faster than in 2013. At that
144546 - time, using both cables had to rest at almost every section, sometimes
144547 - for as much as 5 minutes before climbing up to the next cable
144548 - stanchion. ref SDS 31 6H9L Better gloves today, made the ascent
144549 - faster, but also went hand-over-hand on only one cable, instead of
144550 - using both cables as in 2013. ref SDS 31 S79O Then there is the
144551 - Lindsey factor. Did not want to let her down, so tried to keep up.
144552 - Difficult to believe I am stronger at age 71, than 3 years ago at 68,
144553 - but was able to climb up 2 and 3 sections before resting, whereas in
144554 - 2013, could only manage 1 - 2 sections.
144556 - ..
144557 - Periodically, Lindsey, who was 3 - 4 sections above, would lean over
144558 - the cable to look for me and yell out...
144559 -
144560 - Hey Rod, How ya doin?
144562 - ..
144563 - I was only 20 - 30 feet behind, but there were maybe 10 - 15 people
144564 - between us. So I would lean over the cable to see Lindsey, and wave
144565 - to indicate had not falled off Half Dome, and taken the express route
144566 - back to the Valley.
144567 -
144568 -
144569 -
144570 -
144572 - ..
1446 -
1447 -
1448 - 1410
1449 -
144901 - Half Dome - Top of the World - Took 6 Hours, 40 Minutes on Cables
144902 -
144903 - Follow up ref SDS 31 C75O.
144904 -
144905 - On finally reaching the top of the cables, a nice lady, Mona, offered
144906 - to take a picture. She was one of many who passed me going up the
144907 - cables. Mona walked down the slope of Half Dome and I walked up a bit
144908 - to hand her my camera, then she walked back up and took a great
144909 - picture of Lindsey and me...
144911 - ..
144913 - 
144914 -
144916 - ..
144917 - We thanked Mona, and walked up the slope to the top of Half Dome.
144919 - ..
144920 - Getting up the cables today took about 40 minutes, 12 minutes less
144921 - than in 2013. ref SDS 31 C75O
144923 - ..
144924 - Hike today shows good care at the VA Medical Center in San Francisco
144925 - recovering from continual afflictions the past year that reduced
144926 - physical condition. Getting to the top of Half Dome is a medical
144927 - metric, per earlier discussion above. ref SDS 0 II7O Of course we
144928 - still have to get down in one piece.
144930 - ..
144931 - Walked to the West edge and looked down at Yosemite Valley literally
144932 - a mile bleow, to appreciate the effort getting up here.
144934 - ..
144935 - Other hikers were sitting, resting, eating, taking pictures - just
144936 - enjoying the awesome views in every direction, from what seems like
144937 - the top of the world.
144939 - ..
144940 - Lindsey walked 20 or 30 feet away. We both laid down to rest on the
144941 - granite surface letting tired muscles recover. Lindsey had a gourmet
144942 - meal with ample water - she must have carried like 5 gallons in her
144943 - pack. Food did not work well for me. Baloney and cheese was not
144944 - palatable. Cookies had crumbled. Mouth was very dry. Took a few
144945 - sips of remaining water in the bottle filled earlier at the Merced
144946 - River in Little Yosemite Valley, per above. ref SDS 0 G56H Figured I
144947 - could wait for another drink until we got back to the Merced River in
144948 - Little Yosemite Valley, per below. ref SDS 0 G56H
144950 - ..
144951 - Lindsey asked how I was feeling? Said fine, inwardly appreciating
144952 - satisfaction getting here today. Later, research indicated others
144953 - over 70 have made it to the top of Half Dome...
144954 -
144955 - Article reports 70 year old guy made it to top of Half Dome...
144956 -
144957 - Published 2014 11 19
144958 -
144959 - https://www.yexplore.com/63-on-top-of-half-dome-at-70-years-old/
144961 - ..
144962 - Article reports 72 year old from Plesanton made it to top of Half Dome
144963 -
144964 - Half Dome Trail Hiker Reviews, the last article at the bottom
144965 -
144966 - Published 2011 05 29
144967 -
144968 - https://www.yosemitehikes.com/yosemite-valley/half-dome/reviews.htm
144970 - ..
144971 - Lindsey then advised that, if I complained of chest pain, she was
144972 - required to call for a medevac helicopter to take us down.
144974 - ..
144975 - Thought for a moment that would be a fun ride. When I did the hike in
144976 - 2014, there were major fires in Yosemite and surrounding areas.
144977 - Hikers were evacuated from the top of Half Dome with helicopters.
144978 - Ross saw this on the news back in Danbury CT, and thought I was one of
144979 - those getting into a helicopter. However, that occurred a week before
144980 - I did Half Dome. I did see helecopters bringing in firefighters and
144981 - supplies at drop zones along the JMT route, reported on 140917 0540.
144982 - ref SDS 60 659O
144984 - ..
144985 - Told Lindsey again there are no chest pains nor other medical
144986 - problems that require medevac evacuation.
144987 -
144988 -
144990 - ..
144991 - Called Kathy and Ross on Reaching Top of Half Dome
144992 -
144993 - Follow up ref SDS 31 FF5G.
144994 -
144995 - Used Samsung S5 cellphone to try calling Kathy. Got through with
144996 - Verizon service. She was relieved I wasn't calling from the hospital.
144997 - Plan to call again on reaching the Wood Bridge in about 3 - 4 hours,
144998 - then will meet at Curry Village about an hour later.
145000 - ..
145001 - Called Ross and said I was back on top of Half Dome. He told Claudia.
145002 - Heard her say in the background: "Way-to go, Rod!" We had talked
145003 - about doing Half Dome together in 2013, but Ross had a schedule
145004 - conflict. I called him then from the top of Half Dome, like today,
145005 - reported on 130918 0620. ref SDS 31 FF5G So, today was fun given all
145006 - the difficulties the past year.
145007 -
145008 - [On 160917 0941 letter to Ross on background and submitting
145009 - pictures Half Dome Hike. ref SDS 86 01EA
145010 -
145011 -
145013 - ..
145014 - Explore Half Dome Summit Yosemite Valley 1 Mile Below and Pictures
145015 -
145016 - Follow up ref SDS 31 KS3J.
145017 -
145018 - After resting, we walked to the edge of Half Dome that projects over
145019 - the valley, where it looks like the beak of a giant eagle...
145020 -
145021 -
145023 - 
145024 -
145026 - ..
145027 - "Clouds Rest" is another prominent Yosemite hike visible in this
145028 - picture across the gourge.
145030 - ..
145031 - Lindsey took a great picutre with her 60# pack...
145032 -
145033 -
145035 - 
145036 -
145038 - ..
145039 - No idea how she lugged that up the cables, much less a mile vertical
145040 - lift from the Valley.
145042 - ..
145043 - Took another shot showing ground contours at top of Half Dome...
145044 -
145045 -
145047 - 
145048 -
145049 -
145050 -
145052 - ..
1451 -
1452 -
1453 - 1456
1454 -
145401 - Return from Top of Half Dome Using Cables
145402 -
145403 - Follow up ref SDS 31 UZ5J.
145404 -
145405 - Started descent down the cables.
145407 - ..
145408 - Lindsey went backwards facing the granit surface, like most people do,
145409 - similar to descending a ladder.
145411 - ..
145412 - I went down feet first facing away from the rock surface. This
145413 - presented a terrific 360 view, including the significant rise we would
145414 - have to hike up to reach the top of the sub-dome and back down to the
145415 - switchbacks, explained above. ref SDS 0 1P9K
145417 - ..
145418 - Coming up the cables requires pulling with biceps. Going down is the
145419 - reverse lowering body weight with triceps. In both cases, there is
145420 - minimal footing. Hand grip is therefore crucial. Of course there is
145421 - a big difference between pulling body weight up, which takes much less
145422 - energy than lowering body weight down.
145424 - ..
145425 - Going down the cables was slow, with many delays from people clogged
145426 - on the way down, and from people coming up. If I was more confident
145427 - could have repelled down the outside using just one cable. Didn't try
145428 - it today.
145430 - ..
145431 - Lindsey reached the bottom of the cables first, and took a picture of
145432 - me coming down...
145433 -
145434 -
145436 - 
145437 -
145439 - ..
145440 - Coming down staring at the bottom of the cables made the next phase,
145441 - to walk up the slope to the top of the Sub-Dome, seem very difficult
145442 - due to significant fatigue. All the way down, getting to the top of
145443 - the Sub-Dome began to seem impossible, despite having descended it
145444 - earlier in the day. Probably the angle of sight coming vertically
145445 - down the cables makes the continuing slope up the Sub-Dome seem
145446 - steeper than it is. Fortunately, turned out this was a lot easier
145447 - than expected.
145448 -
145449 -
145451 - ..
145452 - Descend Sub Dome Switchbacks Nearly Fell Feet Hurting
145453 -
145454 - Follow up ref SDS 31 G47G.
145455 -
145456 - Took it slow going down Sub-Dome switchbacks. Only stopped a few
145457 - times to rest and regain balance. Similar to coming down the cables,
145458 - going down these switchbacks takes less energy. However, overall
145459 - fatigue from 8 hours of hiking invites laxity and hurrying, rather
145460 - than caution required for this complex descent. Nearly overstepped a
145461 - few times, but regained balance in time to avoid pitching over the
145462 - edge.
145464 - ..
145465 - Another factor was feet hurting. Took 2 Naproxen pills before
145466 - starting the hike about 9 hours earlier, per above. ref SDS 0 9N9N By
145467 - now, the heightened level of stress on feet was causing significant
145468 - pain. On finally, reaching the bottom of the Sub-dome switchbacks,
145469 - and before staring the long switchbacks, took the 2 Naproxen pills
145470 - included in the pack. Lindsey provided a few sips of water to swallow
145471 - the pills.
145472 -
145473 -
145475 - ..
145476 - Long Endless Switchbacks to Little Yosemite Valley
145477 -
145478 - Follow up ref SDS 31 2E8L.
145479 -
145480 - We descended long switchbacks with Lindsey in the lead. She was
145481 - hustling, and opened big leads, but she stopped twice to eat and
145482 - drink, so I caught up. Lindsey was kind offering some food, but did
145483 - not feel like eating, so declined.
145485 - ..
145486 - This seemed to take much longer than expected, because we only stopped
145487 - twice, whereas we stopped maybe 10 times for me to rest on the way up
145488 - this morning.
145490 - ..
145491 - On reaching Little Yosemite Valley, Lindsey guided us off the main
145492 - trail, so she could use the restroom at a Ranger Station. She earlier
145493 - complained of feeling ill, indicating effects of significant physical
145494 - effort required for Half Dome. After waiting about 10 minutes, layed
145495 - on the ground and leaned back against a log to rest. Lindsey showed
145496 - up about 30 minutes later. She seemed fine, but may have had
145497 - continuing effects of a grueling hike carrying a heavy pack, even to
145498 - this point. Since this is the first time she has done Half Dome this
145499 - year, the level of effort may have shocked her system.
145501 - ..
145502 - On returning, she gave her hand to pull me up vertical. We hiked on
145503 - through Little Yosemite Vallery. On completing this part of the
145504 - trail, there is a rise for perhaps .25 miles. Hiking uphill at this
145505 - point was not fun. Somehow seemed to find another gear and hustled up
145506 - to the top.
145507 -
145509 - ..
1456 -
1457 -
1458 - 1546
1459 -
145901 - Nevada Falls Refill Water at Merced River on John Muir Trail
145902 -
145903 - We reached Nevada Falls and rested for a few minutes.
145905 - ..
145906 - Two guys, a father and son asked about our hike.
145908 - ..
145909 - The father said he is 68, and has been training the past few months
145910 - for hiking Half Dome tomrrow.
145912 - ..
145913 - Said he looks lean and strong, so should make it okay. Good that the
145914 - son is going along.
145916 - ..
145917 - The son took a picture of Lindsey and me...
145918 -
145919 -
145921 - 
145922 -
145924 - ..
145925 - After resting, we chose the John Muir Trail (JMT), rather than the
145926 - Mist Trail for heading back to the Valley. It is longer, but flatter
145927 - and so less risky for tired legs. Lots of people take the Mist Trail
145928 - uphill, and take JMT down. Lindsey stopped at the Merced River to
145929 - refill water bottles...
145930 -
145931 -
145933 - 
145934 -
145936 - ..
145937 - Racing the Sun Getting Dark Slipped and Fell
145938 -
145939 - About halfway down, seemed to have increased energy and ability to
145940 - navigate complex terrain, so increased speed to a good jog now leading
145941 - Lindsey down the trail of continuous long switchbacks.
145943 - ..
145944 - About halfway down it was getting dark. The setting sun makes
145945 - terrific lighting for pictures...
145946 -
145947 -
145949 - 
145950 -
145952 - ..
145953 - About 2/3rds back to the Wood Bridge, slipped and fell on a sandy rock
145954 - surface. Fortunate nothing broke. Felt like just staying on the
145955 - ground resting. Made a joke tellig Lindsey to come back and get me in
145956 - the morning. By now it was totally dark. Lindsey put on a head lamp.
145957 - She helped me up.
145959 - ..
145960 - Then made our way to the Wood Bridge using Lindsey's head lamp to
145961 - guide our steps on broken ground in the dark. Rested at Wood Bridge.
145962 - Lindsey had a social event to celebrate her roommate's birthday.
145964 - ..
145965 - Called Kathy to meet us at Curry Village for a drink to celebrate
145966 - successful hike. We then hiked the last mile back to the Trail Head
145967 - near Happy Isles. This was easier to at last walk on a paved trail
145968 - that did not require concentration carefully navigating each step, and
145969 - of course it was down hill.
145970 -
145972 - ..
145973 - Back to Civilization Celebrating and Good Bys
145974 -
145975 - On reaching Happy Isles we congratulated ourselves getting back to
145976 - civilization in one piece. Hiked another mile back to Curry Village
145977 - on Happy Isle Loop Road. Kathy was sitting on a bench when we finally
145978 - stepped up onto the wood walkway where all the shops and restaraunts
145979 - are located in Curry Village. Fortunate there were no injuries,
145980 - including sore back, hips, feet and knees, despite severe problems all
145981 - year hiking much easier distances and terrain.
145983 - ..
145984 - Lindsey said she could take time for a celebratory drink, before
145985 - leaving to attend the birthday event for her roommate. We walked
145986 - around to the back where a pizza place was still open. Lindsey met
145987 - some friends standing in line for pizza. One suggested she have a
145988 - Long Island Ice Tea. I went to the bar and ordered beer for Kathy and
145989 - me, and a Long Island Ice Tea for Lindsey.
145991 - ..
145992 - After talking to her friends, Lindsey helped carry our drinks to the
145993 - table that Kathy had staked out. Then we just sat and savored the
145994 - day, remembering our adventures to ourselves and to Kathy.
145996 - ..
145997 - The next day, took a last picture to commemorate the Yosemite
145998 - adventure...
145999 -
146000 -
146002 - 
146003 -
146005 - ..
146006 - Seems hiking Half Dome, was an effective medical metric of physical
146007 - and neuroligical function, meeting objectives of the project, per
146008 - above. ref SDS 0 II7O
146009 -
146010 -
146011 -
146012 -
146080 -
146081 -
146082 -
146083 -
146084 -
146085 -
146086 -
146087 -
146088 -
1461 -