So at this point, Grace decided that she didn't want to risk getting fined so she stayed at the base of sub-dome. I wasn't anticipating sub-dome. I had read about it, but I didn't realize exactly what I was getting into. For me, sub-dome was probably equally as scary as half dome. Flashbacks of Joshua tree literally flooded my mind. On sub-dome there are no cables, but there are obvious plots in the ground where cables once were. Why did they get taken out??? OBVIOUSLY at one point people needed the cables here?!?!?!?!? It is very similar to the beginning with steps carved into the granite. At the second half of subdome is an incredibly steep slate of granite you billy goat up After I cried a little, these other hikers kind of gave me some encouragement and I was able to continue to the (read as Samuel L Jackson) BASE OF HALF DOME. So at this point I realize that I had left my gloves in the car. GLOVES ARE ESSENTIAL PEOPLE, ESSENTIAL. Luckily, there was a little pile of gloves people have left for others to reuse. This woman coming down actually gave me her pair. They were kind of sweaty, but they worked well. The only way to actually understand how scary the cables are are to experience it. Between you and me, I almost didn't go. But the boys reminded me that we built the whole endersession around doing this hike, so I went. The boys were a lot faster at getting up the cables than I was, so for most of it, I was doing it with this younger guy behind me. I felt really bad and I asked him a few times if he wanted to pass me but he didn't. There was also this really cute ranger that passed by us on the way up. He warned me that I should turn around soon after we got to the top for fear of a thunderstorm. When I got to the top, it was probably one of the greatest feelings I have ever felt! I was very proud. After getting up there, I have no excuse to do any hike (besides, Mt. Whitney maybe). |