THE YOSEMITE HALF DOME EXPERIENCE

So. This is one of those experiences that I said I NEVER WANTED TO HAVE AGAIN... but now that I'm rested I can't wait to go again.

My trip started when I left around five on friday. I got to the trail parking lot at around 10:00 pm. I was just going to sleep in my car but the rangers were going around with flashlights making sure people weren't car camping - which is so dumb because what are you supposed to do when all the campsites were taken?! So I decided to go for a walk to the trailhead to buy time and wait for them to leave. When I was walking up I saw a group of people with glow sticks on who were about to go hiking - I thought to myself "they are crazy!" When I got there the leader of the group shined their flashlight at me and started asking me all these questions. I told him that I was by myself and I was just going to hike the half dome tomorrow morning. He was like "well that isn't very safe, why don't you come with us?! we're leaving in five minutes (10:30pm)." I thought about it and was like sure why not! Then I won't have to worry about rangers waking me up at 1:00am and kicking me out. So I ran the half mile back to the car, changed and got my stuff. When I was walking back one of the leaders started talking about how this "is a church group of young single adults from 18-30" and when he said that I was like wait a minute that sounds familiar!! So it ended up that the group I was going with was an LDS singles ward activity. Funny how things work out eh? Now if that wasn't set up by Heavenly Father, I don't know what is...

We left at 11:00pm for the eight mile journey to the summit. IT WAS STRAIGHT UP FOR 80 PERCENT OF THE TRIP. Holy cow it was hard - plus I was tired - plus I was planning on going in the day so I was in shorts and a tshirt at night in the mountains (cold!) - but it was awesome hiking under the moon and stars. We got to the top at 6:00. The last half a mile is the hardest and most dangerous... so it didn't help that I was way tired and wobbly and if I tripped or fell there is sheer cliff on all sides haha. But point is that God kept me safe and I made it to the top for sunrise!!!!

I stood there!!!!



I had to leave very quickly after this was taken... I just about died from looking down haha



The cables that we climbed up in the dark... while completely exhausted... but we made it!! It was pretty steep.


All in all, good trip!!! 20 miles in 13 hours...