CALIFORNIA

July 31- August 7, 2005

~ Half Dome ~

17 miles (27.4 km) round trip
4,800 ft (1,463 m) elevation gain
8,842 ft (2,695 m) above sea level
10-12 hours round trip!

Of all my fabulous outfits, this is not my most chic, but a trashbag makes a handy raincoat when you're going up the Mist Trail at 6:00 in the morning. Besides, I'm told it's tradition.

This borrowed photo shows the Mist Trail when Vernal Falls is very full. You can see why the trash bag is necessary!

Once you climb all the stairs on the Mist Trail, you arrive at the top of Vernal Falls. Despite many warnings, every year people are swept to their deaths by swimming in a pool above these falls. This happened to one tourist the day before we arrived.

Up a little further and you reach the base of Nevada Falls. Next step is to climb to the top of this waterfall! Huff, puff!

Here we are after hiking for 5 hours to get to the base of Half Dome. Look at all the people on the cables ahead. Don't they look like little ants? Keep in mind that at this point your legs are like jelly and you have to pull yourself all the way up to the top!
Are you ready Elliot? Let's go!

There's no turning back!

We made it to the top of Half Dome! We are literally sitting on the edge! Now can we buy an "I made it to the top" T-shirt for us and pin for Elliot!?!

Family photo at the top! T-shirts for everyone and pizza and drinks at Camp Curry tonight! Another family tradition.

If you're wondering who took the family photo, it was our new friend from Germany whom we met on the trail. He was a wonderful companion and conversationalist and he hiked the entire way to Half Dome and back with us.

Elliot's pin: "I made it to the top!"

Elliot: Shhhh! Don't tell anyone but I liked hiking to the top of Half Dome so much that I thought I'd take on the other famous Yosemite landmark: El Capitan! Yeehaw!