POLES, PLANKS, and CABLES
Strenuous Half Dome Hikes- Embark on a journey of self discovery during this life altering experience. Panoramic views are as incomparable as the sense of achievement you will feel upon completion of this epic adventure.
Summiting Half Dome is a major accomplishment, and our Yosemite guides provide preparation, trail knowledge, coaching, and the benefit of added security for anyone attempting this remarkable feat. We prepare you for the long one-day journey, provide insight to the trails, offer assistance on the cables, and help you maintain your confidence throughout the day so you are able to focus on achieving your goal. Join us for a Strenuous Half Dome hiking tour and reward yourself with breathtaking views and a true sense of fulfillment.
Prices:
1 person- $225
2 people- $350 ($175 each)
3 people- $450 ($150 each)
Please call toll free at 800 886-8009 to receive discounts for groups of 4 or more
Private Hiking Tours- All Hiking Tours can be made private by adding $75 to the price of the Hike.
Please check our interactive Calendar for a hike on the date you plan to visit Yosemite. If one is not scheduled, we will be happy to customize a tour for you
|
Call or email us today:
(800) 886-8009
tours@yexplore.com
Custom Tours in Yosemite National Park
are available to Individuals,
Families, and Groups of all ages
and experience levels.
HALF DOME GEAR/TRAIL GUIDE
Food and Liquids-Protein and carbohydrates are essential for hiking so it would be wise to eat a fulfilling pasta meal the night before and a healthy breakfast the day of a hike. Please be certain to bring plenty of food. Everyone joining us should bring a sandwich for lunch and a variety of the following: Energy bars, trail mix, granola bars, fruit, dried fruit, nuts, raisins, cheese & crackers, pretzels, chocolate bar. You may also want to pack an extra sandwich and piece of fruit because of the length of time spent on the trail.
All hikers should bring at least 120 oz. of water (140 oz. would be ideal). A hydration pack is recommended. Please do not begin a strenuous hike with less that 120 oz of liquids (including a 20 oz. bottle of sports drink). Our guides carry over 4 liters of liquids on strenuous hikes in the summer. Water purification pumps and pills are a good fallback option.
Hydration- Dehydration can be a cause for concern while hiking on the trails in the sun and heat while at higher elevations. It can lead to headaches, dizziness and other potentially dangerous symptoms if not treated properly. Please be certain to bring plenty of water with you on your adventure and start hydrating the day before any strenuous hiking tour.
Electrolytes- As you sweat, your body needs to replace more than water. Electrolytes are essential. We have found an alternative to the traditional sugary sports drinks that does not contain Yellow 5, aka Tartrazine which can cause some uncomfortable allergic reactions. The product we bring on our guided hikes is called Electro Mix by the Alacer Company. After mixing the powder into water, you will have a potassium charged drink with no sugar, sodium, or any of that syrup in the back of your throat that you get from the traditional drinks. Electro Mix goes down clean and smooth and provides great energy.
Pre-Hydration- It is extremely important to pre-hydrate the day before a Strenuous Half Dome Hike. Make sure to drink at least 1 gallon of water and at least 16 oz of sports drink in the 24 hours leading up to the hike. You should also drink about 20 oz of water in the morning before you hit the trail. These steps will make your Yosemite experience a lot more enjoyable.
Clothing- It's a good idea to be prepared for all types of weather even in summer. Dressing in layers is always suggested when planning an outing in Yosemite. Very few hikes begin and end in only shorts and T-shirts. The temperatures vary based on the elevation level, amount of sunlight on a particular trail, and of course, the time of day. All adventurers should always pack an extra layer for colder weather. A good weather-proof (Gore Tex) jacket is recommended for most hikes with the exception of hiking during extreme summer months of July and August. It is a good idea to pack heavier at higher elevations even during those months. Please be sure to bring a heavier fleece and extra layers for colder months during fall and early spring.
Gloves- Gloves are required on the Half Dome Cables. Any hardware store will carry utility work gloves that would be suitable for this hike. Gloves with extra rubberized grip or suede gloves with double enforced palms would be useful. Leather gloves may slip. When pulling yourself up the cables, always "Trust the gloves".
Footwear- Lightweight hiking shoes can be used on any trail, but hiking boots would be ideal on this hike over difficult terrain. Waterproof hiking shoes and boots are necessary for hikes during spring and winter when trails are wet and snowy.
Additional Essentials-Sun Block, sunglasses, insect repellant, wide brimmed sun hat
Backpacks- Any day pack will do. Be certain your pack can carry all the water, food, and extra clothes your hike requires. Many newer models will have a slot for a hydration reservoir. A good tip would be to bring an extra heavyweight trash bag for inside your pack to protect your gear from rain and snow.
Additional Gear-mole skin for blisters and extra socks, head lamp, pocket knife, small pack of tissues
Half Dome Hikes- Require a greater dedication of time and effort. These taxing hikes will last all day, encounter dramatic elevation changes, and will provide greater challenges than any other tours. Half Dome Hikes are the most challenging of the strenuous hikes and require more planning than others. We strongly recommend completing a full training regimen when preparing for this hike. Please call us to discuss your plans to attempt Half Dome and how you are preparing for it.
|
