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You learned that you needed to train your body in order to increase your endurance. You didn’t take this trail/hike serious enough. No walk in the park here.

Very proud of you for not giving up and making your goal a reality. I will admit I got vertigo and just looking at you guys standing on the edge of half Dome so this is probably something I will never do. However, visiting Yosemite is on my bucket list at some point. Thank you for sharing your adventure with us.♥️❤️

Congrats getting up Half Dome. It's such a challenging hike and the summit views are ridiculous. Summitted it once myself and my arms were jelly by the end from holding onto the cables haha. Lots more cool stuff in Yosemite. If you have never done Clouds Rest, Mount Hoffmann, Mount Dana, or North Dome, those are all ridiculously awesome dayhikes mid to late summer, depending how high the snowfall was in winter and spring. North Dome is maybe the best view you can get of Half Dome on a trail. Clouds Rest has this amazing spine on the summit ridge with big dropoffs into Tenaya Canyon on one side. Hoffmann has another pretty unique view of Half Dome and a great one of Clouds Rest too. Then Dana you can see Mono Lake and the Lyell Glacier, and it's also the second highest peak in the park (the highest is Lyell but requires technical climbing and glacier traversal). Love that hike from Glacier Point to Illilouette from when I did it on a Four Mile Trail to Panorama Trail to Mist Trail loop from the valley. Definitely want to go up Illilouette Creek from Happy Isles one day to the base of Illilouette Fall (definitely a late summer route though).

Just came across your video of successfully hiking Half Dome. I really enjoyed it, and was struck by the joy you expressed throughout the description of your experience. You have an amazing personality! Congratulations on finishing this extremely difficult challenge!

awesome video you got my support i just subscribed i will be trying this campground in the near future looks amazing thanks for sharing

😅 you bought back memories. THOSE STONE steps are killer on the Hamstrings!!!(very high steps) ...was 70 at the time.. . .😊 hey.. GREAT VIDEO "

I wouldn't consider it a fail. I've never been on anything as challenging as Half Dome, but hike a good bit in the Appalachians and the best advice I ever got from a veteran hiker/rock climber was to just enjoy the experience no matter what it is, even if you don't make it to the top or where you're planning on going. There's always some great scenery to look at, experiences with animals/nature, etc. that makes each hike or trip out enjoyable. The mountains and trails will always be there, long after we're gone, so there's always more opportunities to go try again and improve each time. If you push it when you're not ready or there's other circumstances affecting the outcome, it's a recipe for bad things to happen. Better to trust your gut/feelings and live to enjoy it again another day. You still got some absolutely incredible views and photos and video, and had an amazing experience that you can build on for the next time or next trip, wherever it might be. I noticed in the side bar a video that you did it, so off to check that one out, lol.

Thank you for showing a real persons expectations of hiking the half dome. I’ve been watching hikers for a while now in my head I’m like yeah I can do that. They always show them hiking up, but never coming back. I’m in no way shape perform able to do that, but thank you for giving me a chance to see the trail Vicariously through your adventures. I admire your determination and your inspiration to try it again. I can’t wait to see the video of your success.❤️🚶🏻‍♀️⛰️

You did not fail. You were smart and you succeeded in keeping yourself safe.

My simple plan, that worked great. Leave for hike around 4am, if not 3:30am- for real. It is far more pleasant hiking in the dark and before that hot sun comes up (fast.) Yes, there are bears and other apex predators in those woods. It is a risk you take. Most hikers are not attacked. Bring a headlamp and extra batteries. Bring a lot of water, like 3x more than you think and some salty snacks. Bring and use a harness. People die all the time. Danielle Burnett died the day after we hiked it. Be sure to have great boots with great traction and over the ankle support. Sunscreen and cover up as much as possible. Do not rush. Be prepared for Sub Dome. I hated that. It comes before Half Dome. No cables to clip to and it's very steep, slippery- think slick rock with some dirt on top and it is very exposed and a long way down. You sort of zig zag up this rock face. It's tricky. Not as high up as half dome, but high up enough to die. I felt very unsafe. By contrast, I found Half Dome easy. I am in good shape- big mountain skier who jumps off cliffs. I am not a wimp or easily intimidated, but I did not like sub dome. One slip and you are done.

This is cool

Thank you for documenting your experience. Beautiful video and definitely a unique way to do the hike. To those who see this comment, do NOT climb half dome if the sky looks like what it did in this video. It looks very treacherous, certainly possibility of rain.

Do I need an off road vehicle?

Thanks! How were the bathrooms?

Wasn't so much fun for Grace Rohloff and her dad recently (July 2024), so maybe bucket lists aren't so great for some. A simple single-clip fall arrester harness would seem essential for this type of "via ferrata" type activity. Of course, if that's not your thing, just fill your boots and go for it.

Didn't see that coming? People in shape struggle, when your 50lb+ overweight its not a surprise you failed. Keep it up keep moving get in shape.

Great advice and bravo for listening to your body and being safe.

How did the stars look at night ?

Yep. It’s no joke. My friend and I did it in the summer of 2009. I was 47 years old and I was in great shape. We got started at 5am, we made it by lunch. We spent 1 hour on top and made it back to the parking lot at 5:30. We had 2 liter water packs and our mistake was not bringing filtration. Fortunately we found someone that refilled our water because we ran out. But SHOCKINGLY..there were people trying to make with “A” water bottle. One girl was coming to Sub-dome stairs IN SOCKS! She was carrying her shoes. Her feet were going to hamburger meat. So many people unprepared. if I recall correctly it’s 9 miles each way and if you’re in GREAT SHAPE…it’s 12 hours round-trip.

Give you shout outs. Im a male in decent shape but i would need to train for next 12 months to shed dead weight & increase my upper body strength alot. And cardio & build leg strength as well. Those cables are vertical, not easy nor forgiving.

The vault pit-style rest rooms are less stenchy than what you would normally expect?

this is awesome!

What camp spot # did you get?

Congrats! Let’s go! 💪

No judgement here. It’s not an easy trail/hike. Good on you to stop where you did. Can’t wait to see the second attempt! 🤙

Great video, thanks for sharing! Subbed :)

Wuestion did u charge bfore u camp for the night?

Congrats on making it! … and doing it in a different way. Great job!

Thank you for this video. Gives me an idea on what to expect on my trip 🤗❤️

I hiked vernal Falls last week. It kicked my 🍑. You didn’t fail at all! Love your story telling.

How many total restrooms are there? I am going in a few months and it'll be my first time. I have not been able to find much information on the bathroom situation. I am assuming with how much water that is needed to stay hydrated I will need to go a lot. What is your best suggestion on this?? Did you or did you see people going to the bathroom not at the designated restrooms?

I've been living 30 mins from JT for 20 years and have never been there. Although I do go to JT farmers market when I can on Saturdays. I will some day go Solo camping because you made it look so easy. Thank you😊

Planning to go today until the weakened.

Thank you for a helpful video, especially about the asthma attack, very informative and inspiring.

I went with a group last year. I made it up to the ranger and a couple switchbacks up subdome…I started catching really bad quad cramps which slowed me down, then I became acutely aware of my fear of heights and the anxiety set in. I got the opportunity to go back, which will be later this month, and I plan to summit this time. I’m supposed to be doing angels landing at Zion later this year too, so I better get used to the heights thing 😅

What kind of training did you do? We’re going this year

Good job Alex!

good for you for being brave and not allowing fear to hold you back

Yea,I guess your ok.Look at the screw balls that do the wing

Being from Shreveport, LA, this was quite a treat. I went there in the summer of about '93 or '94 with a friend of mine on a self directed trip to Calif.. We even saw some wildlife up there and on the way up in the form of squirrels and the like. The view from the top is just beautiful. You can see the whole Coachella Valley. I'd do it again easily.

Start earlier next time! 😁 I started at 3am. Got to half dome around 11. Then hung out at the top for at least two hours, and made it back to the car around 9pm. Hiking back in the dark is fun but scary lol that’s why you have to always carry a flashlight. And yes. not only do leg day at gym but do TONS AND TONS AND TOOOONSSSS OF STAIRS and treadmill uphill

dont do it anymore

This video is so inspirational. Your positive energy is so awesome.

Awesome video. So glad you made this video!

No risk, no magic! I like :)! Are you down for friends? If so maybe we can get sponsored? I have a Maverick truck that Ive been working on turning into a camper. Let me know :)

That looks like you had a great time! I love JT

Thank you so much for sharing your experience!!

Should be a good year this year too!

I think this is a great video. I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability. The half dome hike is a beast. As a hiker, and in your case someone who posts videos that people enjoy watching, its pretty great that you're so honest and knowing your limit and listening to yourself is a very important trait to have with these big hikes. I've been blessed to have done half dome twice over the past 3 years. I definitely think its a great idea to take the JMT at least one way. Its longer but a lot more gradual ascent up to Nevada Falls. Oh yeah, also, as you've probably heard, the sub-dome is a mini beast! Similar to Mist trail stone steps, just higher elevation and tired legs. You didn't fail! You did great, amazing day.

Anza Borrego looks so beautiful. I live in Orange County and have never been to A.B. I hope I can make it out there this spring, and I appreciate all your tips and videos!