Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Death on Half Dome
I was saddened but not surprised to read in today's San Francisco Chronicle about the deaths on Yosemite's Half Dome. I did this hike several years ago (for a hint as to how long ago: I wrote the original eHow for doing the 17-mile hike in a single day) and found the cables to be the most difficult part. My thighs burned when I reached the top; it's like doing double- or triple-stairs up a ten-story building. In altitude.
Once I got to the top, I really wanted to look over the flat edge at the valley below. But the only way I could do so was to lay on my belly and slither to the dome's shear side.
The cables up Half Dome's shoulder are steep, difficult, and harrowing. From the Chronicle report it sounds like the most recent fellow who fell and died -- his name was Hirofumi Nohara -- was well-prepared, healthy, and traveling with a group. All smart moves. His fatal problem arose, perhaps, from a momentary lapse in concentration; we'll never know. I surely extend my compassion to Mr. Nohara's family, and also to Brian Mott who witnessed Mr. Nohara's fall up close.
Still, the hike up Half Dome is one of California's peak experiences. (No pun intended.) I'm glad I did it, and hope to do it again some day. We're entering the prime weeks for doing this hike, with long daylight hours; I encourage everyone who is trying the hike to be careful, be safe, and look out for your fellow hikers.
Once I got to the top, I really wanted to look over the flat edge at the valley below. But the only way I could do so was to lay on my belly and slither to the dome's shear side.
The cables up Half Dome's shoulder are steep, difficult, and harrowing. From the Chronicle report it sounds like the most recent fellow who fell and died -- his name was Hirofumi Nohara -- was well-prepared, healthy, and traveling with a group. All smart moves. His fatal problem arose, perhaps, from a momentary lapse in concentration; we'll never know. I surely extend my compassion to Mr. Nohara's family, and also to Brian Mott who witnessed Mr. Nohara's fall up close.
Still, the hike up Half Dome is one of California's peak experiences. (No pun intended.) I'm glad I did it, and hope to do it again some day. We're entering the prime weeks for doing this hike, with long daylight hours; I encourage everyone who is trying the hike to be careful, be safe, and look out for your fellow hikers.
