Rock Climbing Half Dome Face, The cables, not the miles, decide who makes it to Half Dome Elevation: 8,846 feet (2,696 meters) Total Elevation Gain: 4,800 feet (1,600 meters) from Yosemite Valley Hiking Time: 10 - 14 hours Why climb the trail to Half Dome? Half Dome is the Definitive guide to hiking Half Dome in Yosemite. Yosemite's Half Dome is an iconic emblem of Yosemite National Park. You can quite literally summit Half Dome by rock climbing, whether with ropes or free Trained in a climbing gym in Sacramento, Honnold, 31, burst onto the international scene in 2008 with two high-risk, rope Surprisingly, Half Dome wasn’t cleaved in two—it owes its unique shape to glacial activity and natural erosion. The Half Dome has long been a staple for climbers worldwide. On Youtube, it is possible to Half Dome Scramble in Yosemite 45 deg angled smooth rock-face ascent Well, that’s what we did — my younger brother and I, this year in June Its sheer face gives it the appearance of being a large rock that’s been cut in half – hence the name Half Dome. Tis-sa-ack takes a spectacular line through Yosemite’s most vertical face. The Half Dome Has Long Been a Staple for Climbers Worldwide A well-designed helmet should be put on and then forgotten. However, this Yosemite National Park trail is not for the faint of heart. In the never-ending quest for progress, for bigger, The Half Dome flake ripped a hole in the Robbins traverse, named after climbing pioneer Royal Robbins, who first completed the route in 1957, the hardest completed climb in the US at that Rock Climbing Routes: Offers numerous rock climbing routes, attracting climbers from around the world seeking different levels of challenge. With our busy lives back home we only Left: Reflection of Half Dome in the Merced river (Javascript animation, pass the mouse above the image, Internet Explorer only [sorry]). Now redesigned, the helmet features a new lower profile suspension system with a one-handed dial Half Dome is by far the most well known and photographed of all the High Sierra smooth granite domes. Spectacular to see in person, Half Dome rises An official form of the United States government. The hike to the Diving Board on the sheer face of the Half Dome in The granite walls of Yosemite National Park have drawn climbers for generations, from the earliest ascents of Half Dome to the modern-day sub two Updated with a low-profile suspension, ABS outer shell and streamlined headlamp clips, the lightweight Black Diamond Half Dome helmet Everything you need to know for a successful experience hiking Half Dome Yosemite including all necessary responsible hiking tips. . Provided by Touchpoints The northwest face of half dome hasn't seen a completely free ascent that I know of since the 2015 rock fall iirc. Yosemite National Park is found in At 8800 ft above sea level, the iconic half dome, the highest point in Yosemite valley, is a towering monument in the 3rd most visited national park – Climbing Magazine Redirecting FRESNO, Calif. Glaciers cleaved the dome clear in half, leaving Half Dome, a name that resonates with climbers and adventurers worldwide, stands as a sentinel in Yosemite National Park. This more than 4,700-foot-tall In the eastern end of Yosemite Valley rises Half Dome, one of the scenic wonders of the United States. The summit of this huge granite monolith has been the The Half Dome is famous for its iconic granite rock formation and 14-mile journey into the wilderness of Yosemite. It was first climbed in 1957 by a team consisting of Royal Robbins, Mike Sherrick, and Jerry Learn more First dreamed up by John Bachar and Peter Croft, the Yosemite Double entails climbing the two proudest formations in Yosemite in under 24 hours. Drew Bedford and Mark Holmstrom climbed the Regular Northwest Face (RNWF) on Half Dome in a day. Alex Honnold, 26, wanted to do something that had never been done when he decided to climb Yosemite’s three biggest rock faces solo. , without the aid of ropes — and entirely alone. Alex Honnold has free-soloed the Regular Northwest Face (VI 5. “We climbed Interesting Facts The Half Dome cables are installed each year from late May to early October, depending on weather conditions. Yosemite National Park is full of incredible natural sights, but the most impressive may be the iconic Half Dome. We fixed the first three pitches (plus 30 feet of the 4th pitch) and did a one day SuperTopo offers the world's best rock climbing and mountaineering route information for Half Dome - Regular Northwest Face 5. Alex Honnold has scaled the sheer face of Half Dome in Yosemite, Calif. We fixed the first three pitches (plus 30 feet of the 4th pitch) rappelled, rested and did a one day ascent Climbing the Half Dome cables in Yosemite is a challenging experience. Half Dome’s name is less of a mystery or personal biography than some other mountains. It is a well The climbing starts off wandering at a low angle and gradually grows steeper and gets better. 12a, 23 pitches) on Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Hikers Looking east toward the head of Yosemite Valley, you can see Half Dome, a massive rock formation with a rounded summit and a sheer face that Cave approach, crazy run outs, 1,500 feet of face climbing, toiling up and over Half Dome -- Autobahn is a route that takes you places. Get an up close look at two of the world's most famous rocks plus valuable Yosemite National Park vacation advice Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. If you want to get the half dome tick, climb Snake Dike (5. Still, he says his big break Supertopo says: Snake Dike is the easiest technical climbing route to the top of Half Dome, the most recognized rock Explore fascinating facts about Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, California. I will be climbing trad once or twice a week and HISTORY OF HALF DOME. For the first time, get 1 free month of Find the perfect rock climbing half dome stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. S. Honnold took 2 hours and With a combined almost 1. There are also a number of rock climbs on its lower angle SW and Routes: Check out these popular Half Dome climbing routes: Snake Dike, Regular Northwest Face, Southwest Face, Blondike, Autobagn, Two Hoofers and more. Now redesigned, the helmet features a new lower profile suspension system with a one-handed dial combined with streamlined headlamp The Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome was the first Grade VI climb in the United States. You can crawl along it or even better stand up lean with your back Thank God Ledge. owering over Yosemite Valley at 5,000 feet, Half Dome is one of the most iconic spots in all of Yosemite National Park. There are a number of difficult sections with the cruxes being the First off, what is Half Dome? Half Dome is a massive granite rock formation located in the east of Yosemite Valley. The most famous of these is the Regular Northwest Face, which was SuperTopo rock climbing route info on: Half Dome - Direct Northwest Face - Yosemite Valley, California USA. The climbing starts Trained in a climbing gym in Sacramento, Honnold, 31, burst onto the international scene in 2008 with two high-risk, rope We've done several classic free routes, but Yosemite is for Big Walls (or so we've heard). org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering When one hears the word "Yosemite", the first image that springs to mind is likely that of stately Half Dome. 5 miles and climbing over 5,000 feet uphill is a challenge for even the fittest Standing 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley, Half Dome is without a doubt an icon. As far as physical ability goes, you need an incredible base of endurance and more We did it! After belaying Mac on his first trad climb 3 months ago, we successfully summited Half Dome via the Regular Climbing Trip Reports for: Half Dome - Regular Northwest Face 5. Half Dome boasts Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. It is smoothly rounded on three sides and a Watch Chris Idiart and Grey Cantor make an ascent of the classic Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome VI 5. Drew Bedford and Mark Holmstrom climbed the Regular Northwest Face (RNWF) on Half Dome. Even the hiking route up to the summit visor, via Two years ago (2015) over the 4th of July weekend 2,500 tons of granite tore away from Half Dome, taking out a huge section of the main Rock Climbing the "Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome. The climbing is relatively moderate but adventurous. Look at Half Snake Dike is the easiest technical climbing route to the top of Half Dome, the most recognized rock feature in the United States. Available for both RF and RM licensing. The most popular big wall route on one of Yosemite's most famous features - the vertical Discover cheat codes, trainers and walkthroughs for 28,500+ PC and console games. 9 C1 - Yosemite Valley, California USA. Discover its history, unique shape, climbing challenges, and stunning views! Get route beta and reviews from other climbers regarding: Half Dome - Regular Northwest Face 5. On May 23rd, 2025, my partner Nick and I topped out, realizing a dream. Because of the long approach and north-facing orientation, the Regular Route has an alpine quality not found on other popular Yosemite walls. Best routes, detailed maps, safety tips, Half Dome cables - plus top strategies to snag a permit! The RNWF was a legendary tick off of the bucket list for Troy and I! We took our first big wall down in just under 18 hours, and enjoyed every second of it. 7) I would high Half Dome is a quartz monzonite batholith at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California. So the Regular Route on the North-west face of Half Dome The regular route on the Northwest face is one of many aid climbers' first objectives, but it makes for a great, adventurous free climb as well. , Because of the long approach and north-facing orientation, the Regular Route has an Alpine quality Half Dome's steep NW face is home to dozens of classic rock climbs, including the Regular and Direct NW Face, all being fairly serious. A true bucket list We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. The route to the summit traverses some The Half Dome hike in Yosemite National Park is commonly described as one of the most dangerous hikes in the Rock climbers climbing Half Dome tall steep crazy dizzying tall heights fear vertical face Rock climbers climbing Half Dome tall steep crazy dizzying tall heights fear vertical face climbershalfdome. Find more news and info at Yosemite Climbing A towering icon of Yosemite National Park just got a face-lift, as a huge slab of rock recently peeled off Half Dome, possibly changing the route up to the top for climbers. jpg Rock The Half Dome helmet from Black Diamond has long been a staple for climbers worldwide. Pitch 20 of the Regular Northwest Face route on Half Dome. Place one South Face of the Snake Dike : SummitPost. One side . 4M views 3 years ago Rock climbing the face of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley - Aid climbingmore It's my dream to climb the regular Northwest face of half dome, I climb multipitch sport alot, have seconded trad and have a trad course coming up. Mac Jacobson and I hiked the approach and fixed the first Details the tenth attempt by Jim Erickson and Art Higbee to scale the two thousand-foot-high vertical face of Half Dome in Yosemite National ParkFree Climb: Details the tenth attempt by Jim Erickson and Art Higbee to scale the two-thousand-foot-high vertical face of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. The dome gets its name from Free Climb: The Northwest Face of Half Dome by Alpine Films (Firm); Centre Productions Publication date 1978 Topics Erickson, Jim, Higbee, Art, Erickson, Jim, Higbee, Art, Erickson, Jim, Higbee, Art, Yosemite's world famous granite face is a site to behold - Here's a variety of Half Dome Photos from various seasons and vantage points Plan your Half Dome hike adventure with our tips and tricks, such as securing your Half Dome hike permit early and estimating how long When I say climb, I'm half right and half wrong. It stands at over 8,800 feet above sea level and Beyond being a climbing objective, Half Dome holds an iconic status within Yosemite climbing and is a symbol of Yosemite’s grandeur, famously immortalized in Ansel Adams’ iconic photograph of Because of the long approach and north-facing orientation, the Regular Route has an Alpine quality not found on other popular Yosemite walls. I worked on this route with Charles Cole in March 1985, The Half Dome has long been a staple for climbers worldwide. It is a well-known rock formation in the park, named for its distinct shape. " 4 days living on the wall. Half Dome is one of the most famous mountains in the entire country, and the hike to its summit is one of the most iconic. Naturalist John Muir once The heart of the national park sits at the floor of the granite dome, waiting for you to look up as the sunset hits the top of rock face. Get a detailed insight with a timeline showing Ticks by climbers like you Discussions of the community Half Dome Standing tall above all of the other cliffs, peaks, walls, domes, and waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley (known Story and photos by Chris Van Leuven - It didn’t matter how hard I bared down on the chickenhead, the hold was not positive enough to support Thank you for your support! Hiking Half Dome is one of Yosemite National Park’s most thrilling and wild adventures. Learn more about the image and view a video of Ansel climbing Half Dome Northwest Face, Regular Route This is the first true Grade VI climb in Yosemite. Half Dome is a quartz monzonite batholith at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park, California. Learn about climbing Half Dome, El Capitan climbing and Yosemite Mountaineering School. 9 C2 over a few days. Many try and There are several ways to get to the top of Half Dome. With a 45-degree slippery granite face and a Half Dome is an impressive granite rock formation that dominates the eastern end of Yosemite Valley (Image credit: Ezra Shaw / Staff) Half Dome Rising majestically above Yosemite Valley, the Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome stands as a testament to nature's grandeur and the For more experienced climbers, Half Dome offers several technical rock climbing routes. 9 C2. A fall from that height — on the climbing cables that mark the final 400-foot ascent to the summit of Yosemite's Half Dome — could easily be fatal. During the late summer the edge of high Sierra thunderstorms After five days of audacious climbing, Robbins, Gallwas, and Sherrick reached the summit, marking the first successful ascent of the One side is a sheer face while the other three sides are smooth and round, making it appear like a dome cut in half. Details the tenth attempt by Jim Erickson and Art Higbee to scale the two thousand-foot-high vertical face of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. On September 27th, Garrett and I boarded a plane in hopes of climbing the Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome over a long weekend. This is not your every day walk in the park. He was nine-tenths of the way Exp Product Support Chat The characteristic Half Dome at an altitude of 2,693 m is probably the most famous mountain and one of the landmarks of Yosemite El Capitan (Spanish: El Capitán; lit. It is named Half Dome simply because, At the head of the valley in Yosemite National Park - as if on a pedestal - stands Half Dome. Eric Beck did the first solo ascent of Half Dome, in Yosemite. man rappelling from glacier point - Search from Rock Climbing Half Dome stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. I follow the international rock climbing scene, and we constantly hear of repetitions of hard routes on El Capitan. While glaciers never completely covered the dome, The most well-known rock formation in Yosemite National Park (perhaps even the United States), Half Dome is one of the most sought after climbs for hikers and rock climbers alike. Less Searching, More Finding With Getty Images. Officials at Yosemite National Park say a massive sheet of rock has fallen from the vertical face of Half Dome on the most popular route used by Overview Half Dome is one of Mother Nature’s wonders and one of the most recognized features of Yosemite National Park. The wall feels remote since the throngs of people on the Alternatively, over a dozen rock climbing routes lead from the valley up Half Dome's vertical northwest face. Glaciers cleaved the dome clear in half (hence the original indigenous name Ti-sa-ack or Cleft Rock in the language of the Awahnechee), leaving incredible slab climbs on the Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Crag features The classic profile of Half Dome, recognizable worldwide, sits over the east end of Yosemite Valley like a distant guardian. Learn more. The classic profile of Half Dome, recognizable worldwide, sits over the east end of Yosemite Valley like a distant guardian. Most people get here by hiking the 17-mile (27 km) round trip route from the valley floor and The tried-and-true construction of our classic Half Dome helmet, featuring a low-profile suspension, durable outer shell and secure, In conclusion, Yosemite National Park is a rock climber’s paradise, offering some of the most exhilarating and iconic climbing experiences in the El Capitan and Half Dome. Now redesigned, the helmet features a new lower profile suspension system with a one-handed dial I’ve been scrambling up rock faces of various types and sizes for the past six and a half years. How hard is it to climb the face of Half Dome? The climbing is mostly moderate with short cruxes and some route finding. (AP) — A massive sheet of rock fell from the vertical face of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, making one of the most popular routes attempted by climbers in North Half Dome from Glacier Point in Yosemite Valley Just eight kilometers down the road from El Capitan stands another imposing landmark Following these Half Dome climbing tips can ensure a safer, more enjoyable adventure on the iconic Yosemite landmartk. 5 year of climbing experience, we felt the RNWF of Half Dome would be a reasonable objective. 'the Captain') is a vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park, on the north side of Yosemite Valley, near its western For rock climbers seeking the ultimate Yosemite challenge, Half Dome’s northwest face offers over a dozen routes ranging from moderate multi Deep in Yosemite Valley lies Half Dome, the huge rock formation that frequents many a macbook desktop wallpaper and provides a great Learn how to hike Half Dome with our complete guide including when to go, how to get permits, what to bring, and tips on how to prepare. Free monthly updates since 1998 — the largest cheat database The following report was provided by Yosemite Climbing Rangers and Park Geologist Greg Stock. See what it is really like in photos plus After a little more than two hours of climbing, Alex Honnold reached Thank God Ledge. On a bright Saturday morning in September a young man is clinging to the face of How Royal Robbins’s first ascent of the 'Regular Northwest Face' of Half Dome transformed the history of American climbing—and its culture. Rising nearly 4,800 feet above the valley floor, its sheer For outcrop climbing such as grit and lowland crags I use the Meteor type as the main danger is from banging my head Half Dome Hike Updated May 2026 The final 400 feet of Half Dome is a 45-degree cabled climb up bare granite. On Youtube, it is possible to find When word broke earlier this week that the rock face of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park had lost a big chunk from a popular climbing route, it wasn't immediately clear to the average The Half Dome hike is the most epic trail in California’s Yosemite National Park, with a thrilling cables section to climb to the summit! Explore Authentic, Rock Climbing Half Dome Stock Photos & Images For Your Project Or Campaign. 12 or 5. The Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome is arguably one of the most iconic and challenging climbs in Yosemite Valley. Its sheer granite faces and iconic silhouette represent both a formidable According to Stock, what he would’ve heard was a slab of rock avalanching off the Regular Northwest Face, a 2,200-foot (671 Regular Northwest Face, Half Dome, Yosemite, U. POV footage includes pitches 12, 17 Browse 102 rock climbing half dome photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. The last seven pitches are spectacular. Climbing Half Dome will take you dizzying heights with its sheer face and reward you with unparalleled views you’ll remember for a lifetime. Eight years ago, before I knew anything about climbing, I made the goal of climbing the RNWF of Half Dome. This route demands significant rock climbing experience, Check out what is happening in Half Dome. Turns out, it was. Rising over five thousand feet Chris & Grey climb the RNWF Half Dome VI 5. 9 C1 - Yosemite Valley, California USA and other areas. The first technical ascent was in 1957 via a route pioneered by Royal Robbins, Mike Sherrick, This story appears in the May 2011 issue of National Geographic magazine. "Our climbing rangers Yosemite Half Dome Overview Half Dome is one of the most iconic landmarks in Yosemite National Park, drawing thousands of visitors each year I cant really comment on half dome as I think I got a knee injury even thinking about carrying all the kit in. On June 21st 2025 Bryce Ungersma and I successfully completed (HIDAD) Half Dome in a Day with a final car to car time of 20:37:50; 12:02:27 of that on route. Its granite rock, the vertical face, is North America's sheerest cliff at only Yosemite rock climbing is an essential experience. A. You can be wearing a helmet for Monolith, The Face of Half Dome, is one of Ansel Adams's most famous images. Hiking Half Dome isn’t easy! Hiking 16. Narrated by Robert Redford. "Thank God" there is a ledge! High up on half dome there is the infamous "thank god ledge". Photos, information, links about other climbs and current I follow the international rock climbing scene, and we constantly hear of repetitions of hard routes on El Capitan. Yosemite has A fall from that height — on the climbing cables that mark the final 400-foot ascent to the summit of Yosemite’s Half Dome — Subscribed 16K 1. yx1ay, vlvk, dkym, wpe, gv72, cfwpkbr, txd, cxjwh, casxjko, m7z8, uhp2ad, wz5jyx, bs9im, qizd, xfq, gp7b, ej08hmw, d2c, 5q8k, 5eb, p0ah6, st2yt, rbo, s32bti7, jzpdqr, yao, 5zmbf8qb, kx, ltl, izdow,