A VERY SCARY day on the HALF DOME cables! | Yosemite National Park hiking and camping

Lucas & Terra Do Stuff
Lucas & Terra Do Stuff
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Published 2023-11-04
Yosemite's Half Dome hike, with its infamous, intimidating cable section, has been on my bucket list for many years. Getting there is tricky, you have to win a lottery for a cable section permit, as only a limited amount of people are allowed up each day. After years of failed tries, we finally won the lottery, and set out on one of the biggest adventures and longest hikes of our lives so far.
We decided to split the hike up over 2 days, camping at little Yosemite Valley on night 1, and finishing the hike on day 2.
An overcast day with intermittent rain meant that the dome could be very slick and possibly dangerous. Things got scary and we didn't know if we would be able to climb the cable section of the hike. Come along for this epic journey in Yosemite.

#yosemite #halfdome #halfdomecables
All Comments (21)
  • @thegteam4349
    Lucas, the physical reaction I had watching you creep out to the edge, I almost couldn't watch. I have such a terror of heights, I couldn't do this. Thank you for taking me along virtually! Terra, smart move choosing not to continue on. A profound real-world example of why women live longer than men 🙂
  • @Farbar1955
    I did the climb up Half Dome in 1984 and enjoyed it. Back then there were no climb permits required or offered. You just showed up and started climbing the cables (without gloves in my case but it was okay) and nobody had harnesses to hook onto the cables. You just held on. I spent about a half hour on top and watched a couple of guys tossing a football around and a just-married couple had spent two days climbing up the sheer side for their honeymoon and had reached the top while I was there! Suddenly storm clouds moved in and we were all told to evacuate and get down the cables as quick as we could because the granite top of Half Dome attracted lightning. There were about 100 people scampering down the cables, several on the outside of the cables very quickly. We all got down okay and watched the storm pass. Since I'm much older now I won't do it again (I'm physically able though) but it is a wonderful memory and I have some terrific photos.
  • @trailrunner925
    Smart of Terra to know her limits and not go beyond. I lived in CA for 20 years, and Half Dome is something many friends have done (using climbing harness), not something I could bring myself to do though. High Peaks trail in Pinnacles was bad enuf for me!
  • @joncozzi1701
    You two are very relatable and real great video. A good lifelong friend of mine lost his beautiful daughter off the cables on half dome. Not sure what all happened but it was so sad and tragic. Every bit of caution is well spent attempting this.
  • @ellenwoods3918
    Knowing and respecting your limitations is a good thing. Way back in the early 90's, before permits and the double cables were installed, I faced the single cable and I nixed going any further. It is okay to stop.
  • @GMD64
    Wow! Great job to both of you! It's challenging just getting to the cables so great job Terra. I had to hold my breath when you got near the edge Lucas, I've been on top two times but never near the edge so now I know what it looks like. You guys both did awesome, thanks for sharing.
  • @Henry_Churches
    Heavy packs with no hip belts, no trekking poles, no water bladders, and wearing heavy jeans to hike all day?? You two were asking for a challenging! Lol
  • @paulk8121
    Dude... that 360 shot on the edge... my sphincter was puckered the whole time!
  • @sallycowan853
    Amazing, scary, and beautiful! You both are great 👍🏻
  • @alpschild
    Thank you for sharing your adventure! 🍁🌲⛰️🐿️
  • @jimjohngirard
    My hat is off to you two brave souls....what tenacity and grit. Thank you so much for sharing this....God Bless
  • @nerakdane
    Love the honest and detailed video. Spectacular views and a real honest account of what it is like for 'ordinary people'. I too am terrified of heights so I totally admire your bravery and well done
  • @user-sj9vk9cc8m
    So beautiful! I’m with Terra on that one, but good for you, Luke for making it to the top.
  • @Kevins93cobra
    Great video man! I did it about 8 years ago, up and back from Curry Village, all in one day. My only problem besides having never hiked, was carrying too much water. I probably had a gallon in my bladder, which is like 10lbs. I didn't drink 1/5th of it. I thought the cables were the easiest part. I had gloves with a nitrile coating on the palms. Those were like glue on the cables. I never once felt unsafe or even worried. I would love to do the hike again. Besides the gloves, what helped me the most were hiking poles. No joke, I sort of jogged the way down, and the poles saved me from rolling my ankles a couple times. I think it was like 13 hours roundtrip for me. Long day but well worth it.
  • @andygolborne5747
    Amazing trails. I'd hugely recommend walking poles for those big gradients and heavy packs. Saves on the knee wear....
  • @cfrtravel7734
    Good job!! Have been to Yosemite twice but never made it to half-dome. This is a very insightful video, and motivating. Thanks for sharing!