Half Dome

While Erin was in Tennessee visiting my family, I decided to have an adventure of my own. It has been almost 10 years in the making! When I was on my mission in the Philippines, my mother's side of the family all got together for a reunion in Yosemite National Park. There were only 2 things that I felt I "missed" while I was gone. My oldest sister getting married and this family reunion.

Anyway... I decided I wanted to climb Half Dome. My friend Nick Hutson went with me. As soon as we parked the van and started walking to the trail head this is what we saw:




The Trailhead


Bottom of Vernal Falls


Vernal Falls


Top pf Vernal Falls


Nevada Falls




The Trail


Yea!!! (A Bridge)


The Dome


The Cables to the Top (that is a line of people)


I MADE IT!!!!




Half Dome Stats:
4,800 ft of elevation gain
17 miles round trip (from where we parked)
8.5 hours

All in all it was a great hike. Everything I read said that it takes 12-14 hours round trip. I was excited when I did it in 8.5. I felt pretty bad for Nick. He told me the night before that he has a torn acl in his right knee. It bothered him from the beginning. He had to turn back before we got to the top of Vernal Falls. I was left to carry the torch. I am glad that I was able to make up for missing Half Dome while I was on a mission.