How many miles is it to the top of Half Dome?
17 miles
How long does it take to hike up Half Dome?
10 to 12 hours
How long is the cable section of Half Dome?
14 to 16 miles
How dangerous is the Half Dome hike?
Most years, hikers safely summit and descend from Half Dome with no fatalities. However, adverse weather conditions and lack of caution on the cables can put you in danger. Make sure to plan ahead, don’t attempt the hike if a storm is approaching, and prepare for a difficult climb.
Do you need hiking boots for Half Dome?
Equipment and gear you should bring for the Half Dome hike are: Work gloves to grip the cables that take you up the last stretch to the top of Half Dome. Well-gripping hiking boots or trail shoes.
Do people die on Half Dome cables?
Shawn Slimp was climbing the steepest part of Yosemite’s Half Dome with his friends when a woman above them slipped and fell under the cable handrails. Since 2005, there have been at least 13 deaths, 291 accidents and 140 search-and-rescue missions on Half Dome (2010 data not included).
Can anyone hike Half Dome?
You must obtain a permit to hike to the summit of Half Dome. Preparation and safety are key to having a fantastic experience. This is a hike that requires users to be in good shape. Most people take 10 to 12 hours to hike to Half Dome and back, depending on the way chosen to come down.
How do you prepare for Half Dome hiking?
How to Train For Half Dome
- Work your way up to a 15 mile hike by adding 1-2 miles onto your longest hike every week.
- Feel comfortable climbing at least 4,000 feet in one day.
- Do some pulling exercises like seated rows for a few weeks before the hike.
- Try to spend some time at altitude before you hike Half Dome.
How fit do you need to be for Half Dome?
The trail up Half Dome is very steep and very slippery. This is not the place to confront your fears. You must have a very good level of physical fitness. You will be climbing (and then descending) 5,500 feet.
Are there bathrooms on Half Dome?
Half Dome Hike Facts Best Time to Hike: Early season when the waterfalls are at their fullest from snowmelt. Facilities: Bathrooms are available at Happy Isles, below Vernal Falls, and above Vernal Falls.
Which side of Half Dome is the steepest?
The impression from the valley floor that this is a round dome that has lost its northwest half, is just an illusion. From Washburn Point, Half Dome can be seen as a thin ridge of rock, an arête, that is oriented northeast-southwest, with its southeast side almost as steep as its northwest side except for the very top.