Half Dome Hike and Camp Weekend (Possibly with the cables down)
May 21-23, 2010
Register for this trip here!
 What else can we say- this is the classic trip to Yosemite!
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 over the back of Half Dome are typically put up for Memorial Day Weekend, which means a couple of things for our trip. First, it means the cables probably won't be up for this trip. (The cables will be in place, as they are permanently bolted to Half Dome, but the handrails and wooden steps won't  be.) It also means there won't be crowds on our trip to Half Dome. We'll have a rare opportunity to hike to Half Dome in relative peace.
When the Outdoor Adventure Club hikes Half Dome with the cables down, we provide climbing harnesses and a dual tether system that allows you to tether yourself to the cables for security.
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.
 The Trip:
Meet at our campsite in Yosemite National Park on Friday night. Camping may be in Yosemite Valley or may be in another campground inside Yosemite National park. 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 through the nearby giant sequoia groves, 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.
Space is limited on this trip so we encourage early sign ups for this one.
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:
- A professional guide, certified in Wilderness First Aid
- 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
- A carpool list so you can arrange rides to the trip
- Life-long memories
A complete gear list, directions and a carpool list will be sent to confirmed participants the week 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: $209
Non-members: $259
Sounds fun- Sign me up!!
Trip Cancellation Policy
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