So, for the past 2 years in a row Ryan has done this CRAZY midnight hike up to Half Dome with a buddy of his. This year, he was bound and determined for me to go with him. I decided I guess I'd better go or I would never hear the end of it! It turned out to be really fun, but I still think it is, as I said before, CRAZY. Let me tell you the story...
The hike really began at 4 PM when we left Santa Cruz. A mere 7 hours later we finally pulled into the Trailhead parking lot (we had to pick up our friend in San Jose and there was traffic). Upon arrival we noticed a ranger in his truck driving around the parking lot frantically flashing his lights, clapping and yelling "HEY BEAR!" This wasn't looking good. We were warned that there had been a bear wandering around and to NOT leave ANY food in the car. I had to toss a perfectly good bag of pretzels... but, I stuffed the beef jerkey in Ryan's pack--he could probably take a smallish size bear, right? Then my head lamp broke...before we even got out of the parking lot. Nevertheless, we persevered. I'm glad we did.
Most of the hike was not that bad--the steps up to the sub dome were challenging, but surmountable. But, to be truly honest, there was a moment shortly after beginning the cable climb, that I wasn't sure I was going to make it up! (If you've never seen them, you'll see why in a minute)! Let's just say I kept a prayer in my heart!
Prayers answered--we made it. We arrived up the cables at about 4:15 AM. That made a total of just under 5 hours of hiking. And here we are at the top at about 5:45 AM!
After about 2 hours of huddling for warmth and trying to get a little shut eye, the sun finally began to rise (about 6AM). Yes, we did attempt to both snuggle up on that little camping mat. We didn't get much sleep. After I came to terms with the fact that rest just wasn't in the cards for me, I got up and decided to check out what the big deal was about "Half Dome".
Turns out, it is a big deal.
Here's me--it's kind of nice up here I guess.
Oh, and Ryan took full advantage of my wanderings.
But alas, we had partaken of the majesty of the rock and now it was time for us to depart. I knew from the beginning of this thing that once I got up the cables and back down again, I was home free.
Crazy.
Phew--Check that off the list.
On the way down, we got to experience the beauty of Yosemite in the light of day. Waterfalls were a big highlight.
But, our trip was not complete until came across another one of nature's wonders:
I have really sweet telephoto...just kidding. We did see a bear though, just not this one. I think it was a female because it was a bit smaller than this big guy, and it took me too long to get my camera out so all I got of her was this:
If you look closely, that brown spot in the middle of the picture is her butt. Thankfully, she was running away from us, out of our lives, and gone forever.
Now, I'm still not a nature girl, but to look up at that beast from the parking lot and realize that I climbed to the top of THAT in the middle of the night is something I'm proud to own. Ryan's under the impression that now I'm somehow "hooked", but the jury is still out. I got a few mosquito bites, and I had to squat to pee once, so... He should know better than anyone that it takes more than a pretty face to seduce the likes of me. We'll see. Maybe we will meet again my friend--we'll leave it in the hands of fate. Until then, stay beautiful, difficult and scary,
and so will I.
