Half Dome

Yosemite's Signature Peak

May 30, 2004  --  20 miles  --  4,800' elevation gain

	We LOVE Yosemite!  It is absolutely awesome!  We had the opportunity to hike from Curry Village, up the Mist Trail, to Half Dome and then down via the JMT (other half of the Mist Trail Loop) with our Boy Scout troop, Troop 93 in Fullerton, Ca.  By the time I post this they will probably have the troop pictures of the hike posted.
	We gathered at 4:45 AM and set out by 5:00 on the hike.  We were looking forward to this hike because it is the longest hike we've done and we're planning on doing Whitney as a day hike in July.  While Whitney is a lot tougher, this is the closest training hike we could find statistically speaking.  This is Patrick & John a mile or two into the hike.
	The Mist Trail was awesome - we look forward to doing it with Tiffany in the future.  This is Patrick with Vernal Falls in the background.
	"Mist Trail" is an appropriate name.  The whole troop wore rain gear because of the amount of spray that the falls kick up.  Going up the stairs on the way up (some parts very steep), I was expecting to pass Frodo, Sam & Gollum on their way to Mordor.
	This reminds me of Ireland - wet, green & rocks.
	Patrick & I at the top of Vernal Falls & beside Emerald Pool.  The ware warning signs telling people not to play in Emerald Pool [which is right before the water goes over the falls]...  well DUH!
	Just a teaser of a dome.  Still too early to get excited.
	Crossing over what would be a rush to kayak if you didn't have a serious plunge up ahead.
	Maybe a little over half way up we hit Nevada Falls.  Yosemite is a place that God sure shows his artistry!
	Yosemite is a place with some awesome vistas and the higher you go, the more majestic they get!
	Starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I'm starting to be impressed with the steepness of the back side of the rock.
	The forest ended about a quarter-mile before getting to the chains and then began an ascent of numerous switch-backs across what seemed to be a giant pile of granite-rubble.  If you haven't gone here yet, don't be afraid to catch your breath a couple times on the way up this!
	Wow.  It's a lot steeper in person.  Can't stop now.  On the way up, we passed many people who were on their way back, but on our way back I understood why we left so early - a lot more people were going up!  I didn't look at my watch, but I think I got to this point at about 12:30.
	Going up & down the chains wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be!  Thank God for the 2X4's at the base of the posts!  If you do this bring Gloves!  We had a scout catch a help a girl down who was freaking out on the way up and then the same scout caught a girl who fainted on the way up the chains.  Having a bunch of Boy Scouts on a trip like this is a good thing!
	The view of Yosemite Valley from the top of Half Dome!  Makes you dizzy just looking at it, huh?
	Wow!  I am so glad I did this!
	Patrick & I sitting on the edge.  It's a shear drop at the back of Patrick's butt.
	Nevada Falls on the way down.  I developed iliotibial band syndrome on the way down.  When it was flat or up-hill I could go like a champ but the pain on the outside rear of my left knee was excruciating when going down hill. With descending 4,800' on the way down, that was a lot.  Thought about getting the hero-scout to carry me down, but that would show too much of my wimp-factor.  But it's nothing a good deep-tissue massage and a few exercises didn't take care of.  It'll be ready for Whitney in July!

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