How to climb Half Dome

A friend recently asked me for advice on climbing Half Dome. Here are some of my tips if anyone out there is considering the strenuous hike.

ALISON!

You guys will kill it.

Here are some things you need (I am assuming you are doing it all in one day)

-camelbacks

-*water filter*

-first aide kit

-lots of snacks (don't even really need a full meal)

-*gloves for the cables (try to get wool ones with rubber on the hands and fingers at ACE hardware)* 

-flashlights

Leave as early in the morning as you can because you will get farther without heat. Also there will be less people on the cables the earlier you go. We left at 3 in the morning the second time and it was awesome.

Once you get to the top of Nevada falls there are no water sources other than the river. You need to fill up every chance you get and have back up water because the trail leaves the river after a while and there is no water for about 4 miles. 

Difficulty wise the hike isn't that bad. Its super steep until you get to the top of Nevada falls then it is pretty flat until you get to the actual dome. 

Right before the cables there is a 'bump' that is steep and super tiring that takes about 30 min once you get to the top of that all you have left is the cables.

For me the cables were some scary motherfuckers but I just looked at the step in front of me and took it one at a time. If you aren't scared of heights they aren't too bad. Coming down I went backwards which was the most comfortable for me but you will figure out what you want to do. The sketchiest part is when people have to pass you going up or down. 

I don't even remember how long it takes on the cables because you are so focused on just getting to the top.

Once you make it it is the best feeling ever!!!