Sunday, August 4, 2013

Jason's Big Day

Last year in July we visited Yosemite National Park in California.  For those that have visited, you will agree that Yosemite is an amazing place with wildlife, rivers, mountains and spectacular views.  The mountains are what captured me the most.  I loved the view from on top of Glacier Point.  From here you have a view of the valley, the Merced River, El Capitan and Half Dome.  Sadly that is as close to Half Dome as I would get.  Why, because you need a “cable permit” to climb Half Dome.  I also needed the legs to go the entire 17 mile distance and the lungs to go up 4800’ from the valley floor.  The latter two I would have struggled through however not having the permit created a problem.  I would simply not be able to go!  That started a yearlong quest to return to Yosemite and hike Half Dome. 
Almost exactly a year later we were scheduled to return to Yosemite.  The morning of July 7th I called and put my name in the daily lottery for cable permits for a July 9th hike.   The daily lottery is for 50 permits which brings the total number of hikers climbing Half Dome to 300 a day.  The morning of the 8th I got the news that I had been granted a lottery spot.  The only way I can describe it is that I was like an 8 year old at Christmas.   I immediately began planning out the hike.  I packed my backpack that afternoon: 7 cliff bars, one gallon of water (camel bak / bottles) head lamp, whistle, pocket knife, bear spray, bear bell, fire starter and a compass.  Wanting to get a good night sleep, I turned in at nine.  Christy finished off my pack with banana chips, pbj and a note.
 


I woke early too excited to sleep any longer.  I got on the mountain bike and headed for the trail head at Happy Isle.  I arrived at 5:15am in the dark and found Mark getting his gear together.  After finding out that he was going solo as well I suggested we go together, so we did.  We started out at 5:20 am.  I had read online that the first 3 miles was steep and exhausting. They did not disappoint.  We hiked up the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls and on up to Nevada Fall.  This 3 mile section took just over 4 hours and was an elevation change of 2000’.  Mark and I missed a trail marker sending us back down the John Muir trail heading for home.  We turned around after finding out from other hikers that we had missed the trail.  The next mile and a half was an easier hike through the meadow gaining 150’ in elevation.  Then another 3.5 miles that was mostly shaded switch back trails leading up to the granite staircase.   The change in elevation along this portion is almost 2000’ and took another 3 plus hours. 
 
 
 
 
 
After grabbing a bit to eat Mark and I checked in with the Ranger and started up the toughest part of the trail, the Granite staircase.  This ¼ mile section took 25 minutes to hike.  The altitude made the hike tough as I was frequently gasping for air after just a few steps.  Once on top of the staircase you get a great view of the cables and I remember having goose bumps.  Still early in the day the cables were relatively empty.  The cables are two way single file up and down and you rub shoulders with the people going the opposite direction.   Mark and I made our way to the cables and started up.  It took about 20 minutes to make our way up the last 400’ of the hike.  The cables were not as tough as I thought they would be.  Everyone in front and back of us were super friendly.  Imagine that, near vertical, clinging to a cable and everyone is polite as could be.  Mark and I summited Half Dome at about 1:30pm.  I ate my pbj that Christy made, posed for some pictures, took pictures for other hikers, walked around taking in every possible view.  Not wanting to get stuck on the cables by the crowd of hikers behind us Mark and I headed back to them.  Too late!  We were stranding on the near vertical section of the cables for 10 minutes waiting for 2 young ladies, about 20 people in front of us, which were frozen with fear. The amazing thing was no one was rude or impatient.  Imagine how upset we all get waiting in lines at the grocery.  Not so much when one slip and you meet Jesus, literally!  After finally descending the cables Mark and I didn’t waste any time heading for home, still 8 miles in front of us.  The return trip was more pleasant than the hike up and only because it was almost all downhill.  However, after 8 miles of downhill hiking my calves and the middle toe on my right foot had paid a big price. 


 

Just before Nevada Falls Mark and I stopped to fill his water bladder and a couple water bottles for me.  We did so in the river using the water filter he purchased for the trip.  We also discovered that the trail at that point becomes congested with hikers who aren’t going to Half Dome.  At the top of the falls there are signs warning people that going over the falls will result in death...Duh!  That didn’t stop a half dozen “adults” from swimming in the pool just before the falls.  Not wanting to witness someone falling to their death we quickly moved on.  I think we were both starting to feel the effects of the previous 15 or so miles as we navigated our way down the busy trail filled with families of all ages.  We must of looked as exhausted as we felt because many people were just giving way as we headed down the last 3 miles of the hike.  Now the average person hikes to Half Dome and back in 12 hours.  Being the above average person that I am (LOL) and having a good partner, Mark and I completed our quest in 11 hours 20 minutes.  
 


 
Arriving back at the trailhead was an awesome feeling.   Mark and I quickly made our way to our bikes, said our goodbyes and rode off.  Riding back into camp I saw Christy heading toward the river to swim with the boys.  She shot me the biggest smile and was excited to see me back at camp.  The hike was simply amazing and I am looking forward to hiking it again.
 

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