A 37-year-old Japanese man was hiking up Half Dome in Yosemite. He was talking and laughing with his four friends as they worked their way up the backside where a series of anchored cables and steps are used to get up the final 400 feet. Then he slipped. He didn't have time to speak or even shout before he slid off the side of Half Dome to his death, becoming the third fatality within a year off the 4,800-foot granite dome.Melissa and I have been talking about doing this hike for the last couple of years and are hoping to be able to do it this Summer. However, there's absolutely no reason why you can't do this climb with a harness and an anchoring system (a piece of nylon tied to each other and another piece of nylon with a carabiner attached to the cables). Hardly anybody does the climb this way, but I'll be damned if a careless slip is going to cost us our lives.
The granite rock is slippery smooth from decades of climbers using the same path to ascend the slope. The way that we are planning on doing this, one of us would be attached to the cable by a carbiner at all times. If one of us slips, at least one will be tied to the cable. Sure it may slow us down to have to unclip and reclip the carabiner at each pole during the ascent, but this forces us to think clearly about our footing. We're definitely not going out like this guy.
Unfortunately, I was there to witness this tragic incident on that gloomy day. I was waiting in line at the base while I was taking some pics. I heard screams & as I looked up, he was standing up, facing towards downhill. I assumed he was coming down rather than climbing up. He started to skid & tumble. I don't know whether if he was trying to go around somebody & lost his grip or footing & then plunged to death. One must be focused & have some kind of fear while doing a dangerous activity. One can't be laughing & talking. My comment is that this would have been prevented if simply, he was holding onto the cables. It was a definitely a hike to remember & never will be forgotten.
It's sad and unfortunate that this happened, but I too agree that it could have been prevented. You're the only eyewitness account of the incident that I have heard. Thanks for the comment on my blog.
I first performed this climb in 1979. Start out at "O" dark thirty, take water, snacks and plenty of film. It is not as "dangerous" at it looks. Last year I took my 15 year old daughter. A climb up half dome is well worth the "risk"
HD is on my 51st year list. I plan to go in June. Did a 20 mile hike on the PC, first half marathon and Hiked napali coast trail last year. I pretty much just gutted it out. I plan to be more prepared this year. I say make a list!
I'm climbing half dome in June. Any idea what the weather is like? Suggestions on what to bring? We're doing it in a group of 10. Pretty excited. Training every day to get in shape for that climb. What kind of shoes are needed? Hiking boots, mountain climbing shoes, or regular trainers?
I prefer running shoes or trail runners. Some prefer hiking boots. Something worn in and comfortable. The rock on top can be slippery. The weather should be great in June, but Thundersorms can come any time of year and you should'nt go on the cables and top in a storm. 17 miles and takes about 10-12 hrs round trip. Elevation will increase about 5,000 ft. Bring gloves for the cables to protect your hands.
A harness? Are you kidding me? While we're at it, let's install some bubble wrap all over the park for safety. And don't forget your super cool helmet. OR, you could hold onto the safety cables with your hands. The rocks are a little slippery, perhaps, but there are wooden planks every couple feet that are quite sturdy. Unless you let go of the cables to take a picture or do something stupid like pass someone outside of the cables, you'll be fine. The number of deaths has been small compared to the amount of hikers.