Cables come down the 2nd Monday of October.
Pros: No permit, empty trail, way more fun.
Cons: You can die (fine with proper rig + weather).
Weather: Must be no snow / no frost. If sub-dome is icy → abort.
Forecast: Check mountain forecast
Stay: Curry Village
Start early: 5:30am → 5:18pm (hiking in the dark is not ideal)
Route: Curry Village → Mist Trail → Sub-Dome → Half Dome Peak (map)
Stats: 16 miles, 44k steps, 4.8k ft gain, 11 hr 48 min, ~5k calories
Gear: Harness, anchor rig, backup rig, gloves, headlamp, hiking shoes, 3L water, snacks
Anchor Rig (primary): Klemheist friction hitch (cable) → Carabiner → Static Sling 30cm → Carabiner (harness)
Backup Rig (used when you must unclip anchor): Carabiner (cable) → Static Sling 60cm (harness)
Arriving the night before in Yosemite. Driving past El Capitan and seeing the climbers on the mountain. Cool contrast with the stars.
Beginning the hike on the second morning. Half Dome is 8.2 miles away.
Half Dome from afar.
Arriving at the Half Dome cables.
Going up the cables.
Views from the top of Half Dome.
Edge of the sub-dome.
Going down the cables.