Half Dome Fatality

[Burnin' oil]

Last month a man fell from the Half Dome cables and died. Every time this happens (rarely) there are always people who want to limit access, or "make it safe," etc. My thought is if you think something is dangerous, then don't do it, but don't ruin it for everyone else.

By the way, Todd? . . .




http://www.friendsofyosar.org/rescues/2009/6-13-09_HalfDomeFatality.html

[trekkor]

I remember the story.

Seems that statistically, 1 in 50-100,000 visitors die on the climb/hike each year.
( or something like that )


KT

[JavaBrewer]

That sort of thing is definitely NOT up my alley. I'll enjoy the view from the valley with a glass of pinot noir in my hand thanks.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I remember being up there a few years ago stuck in traffic on the cables. A guy and his gf are in front of me (she was in front of me, following him). I remember him asking her to get a bottle of water out of his backpack, which she did. As she reached up to hand it to him, it slipped out of her hand and instinctively she wheeled around and went for it - by this time it was rocketing down the face. I literally had to grab her and throw her bodily back onto the cables (the guy she was with was standing there white as a sheet). If I hadn't, she'd have gone sailing down the mountain after the water bottle; she was already "committed" to it with her body weight and balance. Not that she intended to kill herself, it was just an instinctive reaction that took her off the cable and shifted her weight in such a way that she'd have undoubtedly gone skidding off after it. As soon as she realized what had happened she said thank you and meekly went back to plodding up the cables. Crazy. I literally would have seen someone get seriously hurt or maybe even killed that day just because of a reflex action and because of all the dopes that get up the rock face and then just panic and "freeze" on the cables, plugging up traffic.

[Tidybuoy]

My experience with Half Dome:

It's a miserable hike. I remember catching my breath on the endless switchbacks as 75+ seniors sprinted by me.

I hiked it twice. The first time, I thought we were almost there when we hit Vernal Falls - boy was I wrong. Shortly before the cables, it started to sprinkle and ocasional thunder were in the distance. There's a big sign at the bottom that warns you to not go up the cables if there are thunder clouds in the area. But, there were hundreds of people doing it. I decided to go up as the girls I was with declined. About 200 feet up, a large lightning bolt hit a nearby mountain across the valley. Instantly, all the people came running down.

I was truely dissapointed that we hiked all that way but couldn't do the last 900 feet.

The next time, which was a few months later, I was more prepared. I knew it would be a very long hike (takes all day). But I was happy to make it up the cables. It was very crowded and I hung on to the cables from the outside (not between the two cables). I was very careful because that is one steep hill. The view from the top was spectacular but I was not able to get any closer than 4' from the edge. There were kids sitting on the edge eating lunch and I looked like a big baby crawling on my knees to get close to the edge - a 5000 ft fall was not on my adgenda.

Although I still think it is a miserable punnishing hike, I reccomend it to all. You really feel good after doing it. It's really an accomplishment.

[vash]

i have done it once..almost. we went with a large group. we plodded along, dropping people along the way. it got down to the fittest and the ones with the most heart. i was so proud of my girlfriend (now wife). she was not even in the best shape amongst the women, but she was the only one (chick) that headed for the cables at the very end. we dropped this super hot chinese chick at the end. 2.5 miles from the top. people that have done it, know there is a sign in the trees that says so. the chick didnt want to mess up our journey, so she decided to take a nap in the trees. we pleaded with her not to quit. she didnt give in, so 3 guys, and my gf went for it. we started to feel bad, just leaving a single chick sleeping near the trail. so we bagged the last bit. i have to admit, going back down was way harder for me.

it turned out to be a blessing to have dropped a few people early. they had the biggest bbq chicken dinner waiting for us, when we dragged back. my gf took a shower, put on her pj's, sat in bed. i handed her a plate of food, she ate, and toppled over into bed. i found her just passed out, with chicken bones surrounding her. it was funny. i was so proud of her. i felt great. booze helped.

that last bit is dangerous. bringing gloves is a good idea. i will do it again soon...no wife tho..

[cl8ton]

I have a friend that is on the Sierra Search & Rescue team. (They rescued “Survivor Man” last year in the Sierras)
He has been called many times to pick up the pieces of hikers that stumble and fall off mountain faces up there.

All the rock edges are worn over time with decreasing radius edges; the further you fall the more you cartwheel
with increasing velocity until you meet the valley floor, not very pretty according to him.

[SteveinTO]

The first time I went up 25 years ago, the cables were deserted in the morning. About half way up, it's like being outside a Manhattan skyscraper, only you can't see the bottom or the top. Suddenly I heard a blood curdling scream from above, and the cables started oscillating violently.

Turned out a guy grabbed the cable to pull forward and the pipe supporting the cable came out of the rock, allowing him to swing around and observe the 180 degree panoramic view of the the high Sierras.

I saw the finger grip marks he left in the cable, right near the brown spot.

[450knotOffice]

No way in hell would I climb that big rock (well...maybe I would. If I had a tether).

[slodave]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

No way in hell would I climb that big rock (well...maybe I would. If I had a tether).

But you have no problem coming out of turn 9 at Willow.

[fuelie600]

pic of a few that made it. (the ants on top!) Taken last summer from glacier point.



Didn't make the climb ourselves, my kids were pooped after the steps up the falls.

A local hiker recommend parking in the valley and taking the shuttle to glacier point, then taking the Panorama Trail to Half Dome, then back to the valley via the mist trail. Will follow this advice if/when we go back....

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by cl8ton

I have a friend that is on the Sierra Search & Rescue team. (They rescued “Survivor Man” last year in the Sierras)

You make it sound like Les Stroud was in real trouble. He wasn't. And I think his production company paid all the costs of the "rescue."

Originally Posted by slodave

But you have no problem coming out of turn 9 at Willow.

Keeping your right foot down through 8 is a bigger scare for me. Once through there and on the brakes, 9 to 7a is a piece of cake.

[Schumi]

Wiki says 5 people have died falling off since 1919. 5 people in 90 years doesn't sound too bad.

[Seahawk]

I hovered next to Half Dome in the '80's...the Park Service was not amused, nor was my CO.

It was winter, they were discontent.