Yosemite Trail Map - Yosemite Valley to Half Dome

Half Dome Hiking Team Members

Brian "I'll bring a 30-pack to camp"

Hike Mates!

Charles (President - Time Wasters Incorporated)

Lee - "The Chef"

Millicent ("Milly")

Charles (Time Wasters Incorporated)

A view from the top of Half Dome! This is the eye candy that you get at the top. Behind me is north toward Tuollome Meadows and "Clouds Rest".

"TIP" - layer clothing and wear a nylon type shirt. Sweating profusely is likely and these are great to keep the moisture away. COTTON KILLS!

"TIP" - Shoes - invest in comfortable lightweight hiking shoes. good socks. I use a thin nylon "liner" and then a heavy wool "smartwool" sock. The liner reduces friction on the foot and prevents blisters. Blisters can make the trip miserable ... so get good foot gear, know your bod, break in the gear, and bring blister protection.

"Tip" - buy moleskin and keep it in your pack. It will be a lifesaver if you get a blister. Before the hike tape with athletic tape and / or duct tape any spot on our foot that rub with the shoes.

"Experience" - I had blisters twice on Half Dome hikes. My "over prepared and the guy you want to be with in case you run into trouble" friend John S shared his wisdom and wha-lah! No more blisters .... have seen many hikers that are unprepared ... glad I'm not them.

Safety - I am requesting that everyone on the prepare themselves for safety and bring a climbing harness, locking caribeaner, and connection rope (climbing loop). REI is the best place to get this. This can save your bacon. Each year someone unfortunately looses their footing and looses their death grip on the cables. Some have been banged up pretty bad and some have not returned. I use the following setup. At the final climb ..."You Fall .. You Die" The harness, beaner, loop adds safety, confidence, and ability to use the gear to rest while going up the cables.

"Experience" - Waterbottles and cameras have come loose from climbers / hikers in the final summit ... kind of an erie sound ..... thump ..... thump ................. thump ................................................................ and then silence ...

Please all take the safety part seriously and get a harness, locking carabeaner (twist type - not the screw locking type) and climbing loop.

It is a great trip! We can all do it safely and have a awesome time with good preparation - mind, body, gear, attitude.

Pat's Training Log

3/3 - Eliptical 32 minutes and stairmaster - 15 minutes, level 10, 70 flights) - felt good ... getting easier.

3/1/09 - Trainig went well today. Behind the curve a bit .. working toward Mt Shasta hike in early April. 65lb pack on treadmill as high as it will go. 3 miles in 68 minutes. Shoulder straps a but uncomfortable and feet a bit sore ... benefit of having good hiking shoes - I had on cross trainig shoes.

4/9 - Getting back into shape. Current weight 210 ("El Gordo") and need to get to under 200... Bart and I have a friendly bet for a buck. Running was good - approx 3 miles ... and building up cardio. NEED TO KEEP GOING!