I took this photo of the Yosemite Half Dome just after we came down from the top.
A group of 8 of us camped and then did the Half Dome Cables Route hike which runs from the valley floor to the top of the dome in 8.2 mi (via the Mist Trail), with a 4,800 ft of elevation gain. The final 400 ft ascent is up this steep almost vertical rock between two steel cables used as handholds. Somewhere near the midway point, there is this overhang section where you have to literally pull yourself out and over to get to the next step. This was the point in the hike when I saw my life flash before my eyes! But as you can see, we all made it up! :)
We're standing on what hikers nickname the Yosemite Diving Board, because it sort of jets out over the dome where there is nothing but a big scary vertical drop down. Traditionally, hikers lay on their bellies to catch a glimpse of the beautiful valley below. You can sort of see a hiker next to us on his belly doing just that. The really brave souls climb down to a ledge below for their view. I wasn't one of those souls. My view from the diving board was just fine.
See more PhotoHunters HERE!
WOW, WOW!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots.
Hi Eden, thanks so much for liking my photos...it was truly breathtaking to see how beautiful this Valley is. Sometimes I forget the wonderful places we have here right in our backyard to visit. Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous shots, what an incredible hike that must have been. That rock is steep! Hope you're having a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who's terrified of heights and with sweaty palms, I say my hat's off to you for doing that climb. Sounds very challenging but so rewarding. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the weekend, Kathy.
Hi Annie, thanks so much for your comments. It was a great hike. The rock was pretty intimidating when we first saw it. We had to wear gloves to have a good grip on the cables. But there were these woodend planks going across the rock for grip except for that one overhang section so the climb wasn't too bad. I hope you are having a great weekend too.
ReplyDeleteHi Maria, I'm not afraid of heights but I have to say that when I hit that overhang section visions of falling struck fear in me like I have not felt before. For some reason I kept worrying that the cables would come out. It was pretty rewarding once we got to the top. Enjoy your weekend too.
Thanks so much again Annie and Maria for your commments and liking my photos. Have a wonderful Sunday.
Oh, Kathy, I laughed at the part "my life flashed before my eyes". BUT I have to say I am in awe of your challenge of hiking this devil! I admired it from a tent on the ground under a cloud-free day many, many years ago. Incredible opportunity and photo. Super post.
ReplyDeleteI'm so in awe of you. This is really an accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteHi M, thanks so much for your comments. That's very cool that you camped at the Yosemite too. I loved the fresh clean air, beautiful skys and beautiful surroundings. I would love to go back and photograph it again.
ReplyDeleteHi Barb, thanks so much for your comments too. It was a pretty cool experience that you kind of look back and say that was hard and scary but so much fun and rewarding at the same time. :)
Thanks again M and Barb. Hope you have a wonderful week.
That is spectacular!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Congratulations at making it to the top. I love the first shot. This is another one of those famous hikes that I will not do. I get sweaty palms just thinking about it. I just can not get over enough vertigo to do it.
ReplyDeleteNow that was a vertical climb! Kudos to you, I'm not sure I could do it.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandra, thanks so much for your comments. It was a spectacular and beautiful view once I was able to relax and enjoy it. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Marta, thanks so much for your comments. I'm glad you liked my shot. I tried not to look down except for this one time and it got me a little woozy. I do have a little bit of vertigo myself but it only affects me when I'm in motion like in a car or boat so I was luckily able to still do this hike. I know what you mean about having your sights on certain hikes. I've been trying to convince my friends to do Macchu Picchu with me but we have concerns about the altitude sickness. This was 4,000+ high and I had a slight headache going up and my friend had some nausea...so maybe Macchu Picchu maybe a hike we may not be able to do based on the altitude.
Hi Maya, thanks so much for your comments. I have a feeling you could do this hike. I remember reading that one difficult hike you did where there were so many obstacles and yet you and your husband completed the hike. Sometimes I think we can surprise ourselves. I know I surprised the heck out of myself for doing this one.
Thanks again everyone for your comments. Hope you all have a great week.
WOW!! I think you were plenty brave! Incredible. I am not sure if I would be able to make it up to the top.
ReplyDeleteSorry so late in commenting. I did see this last week... just didn't have time to comment.
WOW is right!! A most impressive climb. Sounds exhilarating, and scary! But mostly exhilarating. Pretty sure I'd be on my belly looking over, but hard to say. I've never been that high up before, so I might find discover some inner height issues I never knew I had!
ReplyDelete