Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Before attempting to climb Half Dome, you should be extremely comfortable with 10-mile hikes. If you do not exercise regularly, begin with 1-3 mile walks. Build up your length and then add hills. You will need to bring a significant amount of water on your hike, so incorporate a water-carrying device, such as a CamelBak, with 2 liters to a gallon of water into your practice hikes.
One of the most notable features of the Half Dome height is the sharp increase in elevation. In addition to hiking stamina, you need to practice long stair runs. Repeated climbs of an internal staircase in a tall building or the bleachers at a sports stadium will help prepare you for these sections of the hike.
The final ascent from Sub Dome to Half Dome is a vertical ascent where you pull yourself up the side of the mountain using cables. This section of the hike requires upper body strength and you should maintain a regular weightlifting or bouldering routine to prepare.
As with any day hike, you need to bring adequate water and nourishment to hike Half Dome. Park rangers will check to make sure you have enough water, so bring no less than 1 gallon per person if you plan to do the entire hike to the summit.
Traction is an enormous issue on the final ascent, so be sure that your hiking shoes not only fit well, but have considerable grip on the soles. You should also pack gloves with a solid grip for climbing with cables.
If you are planning to make the trip Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you will need a permit to show the rangers. The permits are in high demand and must be reserved at least a week in advance.
The most daunting part of the Half Dome hike is the final ascent. Your only guide up the sheer cliff face are cables and iron poles bolted into the granite. Every 10 feet, a wooden board lies at the base of the poles, providing a foot hold to rest and regain your balance. It is possible to lose your grip and fall, so do not let any other hiker pressure you into going faster than you are comfortable going.
The cable route is only open from mid-May or early June to mid-October, and you should not hike to the summit when the cables are down. During or after a rainstorm, the cables, poles and granite rock face are extremely slippery. This is when climbing accidents are most likely to occur and you should avoid making the ascent in wet conditions.