Half Dome Hike and Camp Weekend- Private Trip for 1 or 2 people

June 25- 27, 2010

yosemite hiking trip What else can we say- this is the classic trip to Yosemite, and now we have an option for you to have a private guided hike up Half Dome, with a full weekend of camping in Yosemite Valley!

We've arranged for a very special weekend for 1 or 2 people. We have camping reserved in Yosemite Valley, permits reserved for the Half Dome Trail, and a guide to lead the way to Half Dome. In camp your OAC guide will also take care of preparing meals and getting you ready for the hike to Half Dome.

We are going to spend a wonderful weekend in Yosemite National Park. Our highlighted activity is our attempt to summit Half Dome on Saturday. Half Dome stands at an elevation of 8,842 feet and is made up from a type of granite, plutonic rock. Half Dome’s missing half is presumed to have fallen off when the Ice Age glaciers passed through. Half Dome is one of Yosemite’s most familiar sites. The summit offers fantastic views of the surrounding areas including Little Yosemite Valley and the valley floor.

This trail to the summit of Half Dome is NOT for the faint of heart, nor is it a cake walk. It is considered strenuous, due to the distance (about 20 miles round trip from the trailhead) and the elevation gain (4,900 feet). The last 200 yards up the back of the dome require the use of a steel cable that is sure to get your adrenalin pumping! This physically demanding hike usually takes 9 to 13 hours from the start at the trailhead to the summit and back.

The steel cables that aid the hike to the top of Half Dome are typically put up for Memorial Day Weekend, and stay up through Columbus Day. During the time that the cables are "up" they form handrails for the hikers going up and down the last section before the summit. There are also wooden steps added at occasional intervals to provide footrests for the trip up and down, too. hiking half dome

The rewards for doing this hike are both visually stunning and emotionally stimulating.

We'll start our hike in Yosemite Valley, work our way up the famed Mist Trail past Vernal Falls, continue on to Nevada Falls, and take a welcome break in Little Yosemite Valley, in the shadow of Half Dome. From there, we'll continue up the Half Dome Trail to the final 400ft ascent on the granite surface where the cables are located. Once at the top, we will take in the amazing views, and marvel at the enormity of the 8,842 foot peak. After lunch on the top, we will backtrack to the trailhead to a well earned pizza dinner in Curry Village.

Note regarding weather:

There is no guarantee we will be able to complete this hike. There are many unpredictable thunderstorms in this area. If the weather forces us to turn around or even prevents us from starting this hike, you will not be refunded your fee. We will substitute the safest activity for the conditions, perhaps a hike to a less exposed summit.

hiking at the top of half dome The Trip:

Meet at our campsite in Yosemite National Park on Friday night. Arrive as early as you can in order to get a good night’s sleep before Saturday's hike. We will have an orientation and Q&A session for everyone so you can have all of your pre-hike questions answered before you go to bed. We encourage you to have your day hike attire and gear ready and packed before you go to sleep. Please try to arrive at the campsite before 9:30 pm.

By 6:00am on Saturday, we'll be awake and enjoying a continental breakfast in camp. We'll drive from our campsite to the trailhead and shoot to be on the trail by 7:00. to give us about 13 hours of sunlight to complete the hike. Bring headlamps/flashlights in case we finish our hike in the dark. After the hike, we'll have a well deserved pizza dinner in Curry Village.

If you become winded along the trail, don’t worry. There are many places where you can stop and wait out the hike. What this means is if you can’t go on, we will not send you back down the mountain on your own. Instead, you can sit back and enjoy incredible scenery then rejoin the group on the decent.

Sunday morning will be more relaxed. Sleep in and awake to a hearty breakfast served in camp. Rested and fed, you can choose to go on a pleasant hike nearby or just relax in camp until you're ready to head home.

Level of experience recommended:

Although nearly 400 people do this hike every day, the trip is considered strenuous. You should be in good physical shape and at a minimum should have day hiking experience involving distances of 12+ miles.

This trip is limited to two people. Grab a friend and register for this private guided Half Dome Trip!

Where is this trip?
Here's a Google Map to the general area:

View Yosemite in larger map

Specific driving directions for the trip will come with your confirmed reservation.

Includes:

Your own professional guide for the weekend, certified as a Wilderness First Responder
All permits necessary for camping in Yosemite and hiking the Half Dome Trail
Camping in Yosemite National Park for two nights
Guided hiking on Saturday to Half Dome
Guided hiking on Sunday in Yosemite
Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner (drinks not included at dinner)
Sunday breakfast and lunch
Life-long memories

A complete gear list, driving directions and other detailswill be sent to confirmed participants prior the trip.

The Outdoor Adventure Club has camping gear available to rent if you don't have your own. Pricing for rental gear can be found on our Camping Rentals page.

Pricing:
OAC Members: $800- This is the total price for up to two people.
Non-members: $850

Sounds fun- Sign me up!!

Trip Cancellation Policy