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Home » Adventure Blog » A Hundred Half Domes » Page 3

December 3, 2014 By YExplore Leave a Comment

#2 Getting to Know You

Learning the Ropes  
by John P. DeGrazio 
Yosemite-HalfDome-Visor-YExplore-DeGrazio-MAY2006
Jacob and John Sitting on the Visor of Half Dome

My legs are really burning. I don’t remember these cables being so hard the last time. That’s because this IS harder. I didn’t realize this cable would be so heavy. At least we’re both sharing the load. Hey, don’t sit there! I’m barely holding on.

“Sorry” Jacob apologized as he sat in the only crack in the granite while slightly nudging me backward for a moment. “I didn’t realize there wasn’t any room.” Jacob inched to his right to make a spot for me to slide into the crack with him. “I really needed to stop for a moment” he politely added. He was so polite that it was impossible to get mad at him, even for a second. “It’s alright” I assured him as the initial anxiety eroded. Here we were about halfway up the cables on an already spectacular morning! We continued up the cables and made our way to the dome that was still partially covered in snow. “So this is what it’s like without any people” I bemused and was immediately hooked on this new solitary experience. It was only my second time to the top, but I realized the stark contradiction to the festival atmosphere of the summit on a summer afternoon. The year was 2006, long before the park service decided to limit the amount of hikers allowed to pursue the cable route from the Sub Dome with the permit system lottery. This was a true wilderness experience, and I could hardly contain myself as I lept from rock to rock snapping photos like the tourist I was.

In 2006 I founded YExplore, an adventure company offering guided photography tours in Yosemite National Park. Our concept was simple. We would offer photography classes in Yosemite Valley that were designed and instructed by local professional photographers. We hired Walter Flint who became our lead photographer and a great mentor for me as I learned the lay of the land. A funny thing happened when we received our very first booking though. The client asked if we knew of a company who could lead his family on a hiking tour after the conclusion of his photo field session. Catherine excitedly called me on that day and repeated the question. My response was to confidently tell him we do. “We do?” she gasped. “We do now!” was my retort.

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Jacob on Half Dome with Snow by John P. DeGrazio

Jacob Smith answered our first and only ad we placed in search of local guides for our newly developed Yosemite family tours. He was a bright young entrepreneur with an outgoing personality and an extensive knowledge of camping in Yosemite. He was perfect. He was hired. Actually, it was not until his second interview that I hired him. For his follow up interview, I had Jacob lead me (and another friend, we’ll call him D) on a hike to the top of the Upper Yosemite Fall. I will save sharing that tale for another time but would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention it will always be referred to as D-Day. In spite of many theatrics from our friend D, Jacob decided to take the job, and we formed an early bond as we explored many trails in Yosemite that spring and summer. I needed to learn as much as possible, and we weren’t actually blowing away our competition for clients that year. We proudly led 9 total tours that season so there was plenty of time for exploration.

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Waking up to Half Dome by John P. DeGrazio

In mid May Jacob and I decided to embark on an overnight scouting trip of the Half Dome trail. This would be our last preseason tune up before we would begin leading tours. Half Dome was not yet on our list of offerings, but I had been yearning to return to its summit since the move. It was only a two day outing, but I was excited because it was my first official wilderness backpack in Yosemite National Park. In case you’re wondering, we moved to Yosemite in 2005 with a 3 month old daughter so most of my forays into the wild were of the one day variety. Sure, we covered a lot of ground on some of those uber hikes, but now was my first chance to sleep under the stars in a place I was growing to love exponentially more with every adventure. Jacob was great. He helped me prepare by sharing a packing list with everything I needed and even drove us. We stopped to pick up our permits in the Valley and set our sights for the John Muir Trail.

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Jacob the Expert Campfire Builder by John P. DeGrazio

We decided to forego Little Yosemite Valley after spending some time atop Nevada Fall. Jacob didn’t want my first wilderness camping experience to be in a designated campsite. We found a previously impacted site as we were taught in the Leave No Trace trainers class we attended together and set up camp. Jacob was efficient and thorough as he built a fire in the established fire ring. He made sure to only collect branches from fallen trees that were no thicker than his wrist. I was learning so much from Jacob and he really helped me develop a proper set of ethics for being in the wilderness. “If it’s a place you love and are passionate about, it’s easy to respect and protect the areas where you camp.” I remember him sharing.

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Rainbow on Yosemite Falls by John P. DeGrazio

We woke early the next morning, ate our oatmeal, and were on our way up the trail. It was a short walk of about 2 miles, but it was chilly so the movement helped. By the time we reached Sub Dome, the sun had warmed us quite a bit. Once we managed the cables, we explored every inch of Half Dome making new tracks over much of the snow covered hump while photographing several waterfalls from vantage points we never knew existed. I snapped images of Snow Creek, Illilouette, Staircase, and Yosemite Falls from the summit, and there was a beautiful rainbow on Yosemite Falls. Although I didn’t catch Half Dome fever on this trip, it would come later, I was truly amazed by the ability to see all these waterfalls from up high. It definitely piqued my interest in exploring more of Yosemite’s backcountry.

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Illilouette Fall from Half Dome by John P. DeGrazio

Satisfied with our mission, we finally decided to begin our long descent to the Valley. It was mostly uneventful, you know. It had your typical wildlife sightings; some mule deer, a  bear, and a California ground squirrel fighting off a rattlesnake who was too close to her burrow. At least I managed to photograph the bear though admittedly not very well. It wasn’t my first bear sighting in Yosemite but the first time I was able to observe one in its natural wilderness habitat. This bear was grubbing which is when a bear uses its claws to rip apart fallen trees while searching for insect larva called grubs. I was fascinated by this hunting behavior. It wasn’t quite the same experience as watching the brown bears fish for salmon at Katmai but still a thrill. Black bears in Yosemite actually are not hunters in the sense of their Alaskan counterparts. I’ve mostly observed them feeding on grasses, berries, acorns, and even pine cones. I am told they will not hunt a deer or other mammals but would likely feed on some carrion left behind by a mountain lion.

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Snow Creek Falls by John P. DeGrazio
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Yosemite Black Bear Grubbing by John P. DeGrazio

We returned to the trailhead in the early evening a little exhausted but ready for our next adventure. I remember the feeling of being overwhelmed by the magnitude of this place and never felt smaller. I didn’t know then but know now that this was the true beginning of my own Yosemite exploration. Sure, I had hike several trails in and around the Valley and Glacier Point; but it became apparent after this trip that I needed to expand my horizons. I was certain I would hike as many trails as I could see in the park requiring longer trips on far more isolated trails, and I was alright with that.

YExplore Lead Adventure Guide John P. DeGrazio has reached the summit of Half Dome more than 100 times. In this series, he will share stories from some of the most interesting journeys along the trail of Yosemite’s most popular peak. He will reflect on some of the most inspirational moments he has shared with hundreds of others while achieving their lifelong dreams. John will also share tips on how to properly prepare for such a long, arduous trek while providing insights on how to successfully complete this quest. He’ll also discuss changes to this hike he has witnessed throughout the years as well as many interesting encounters along the way.

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Filed Under: A Hundred Half Domes, Adventure Blog

November 26, 2014 By YExplore Leave a Comment

#72 A Couple of Buckeyes on Half Dome

2 Hikes with 2 Buckeyes 
by John P. DeGrazio 
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Bob & Brian Show their Buckeye love on top of Half Dome

We were all standing on top of Clouds Rest, and Bob leaned over to me to ask “How many miles is it again?” My answer was 17. Of course, we still had about 7 1/2 half miles remaining on our day’s hike down from the summit of Clouds Rest, but he was already looking ahead to Thursday’s hike of Half Dome.

I often get asked “What is your favorite hike in Yosemite?” My answer is always that it’s too hard to just pick one. When pressed further, I list a few trails including Half Dome and Clouds Rest. Since the Half Dome permit system has been in place, many explorers have been forced to make a choice. When Yosemite visitors can’t secure a permit to hike Half Dome, we offer several excellent alternative, and the Clouds Rest hike is always at the top of our list.

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Bob And Brian on the Summit of Clouds Rest by John P. DeGrazio

On this trip, Bob and Brian were visiting from New Albany, Ohio and wanted to maximize their Yosemite adventure potential. They ambitiously chose both the Clouds Rest and Half Dome hikes and were a bit concerned about having the stamina to do both. We were happy to schedule each hike sandwiched around a much needed rest day in September 2011. The Clouds Rest trek was an excellent challenge with an incredible reward. At nearly 10,000 feet above sea level, 9,926 to be exact, we had an expansive view of almost the entire Yosemite National Park. As an added bonus, we peered down at the summit of Half Dome from our perch.

Thursday came, and we were poised to complete the Yosemite double. We made our way up the Mist Trail, around the backside of Half Dome and over the Sub Dome. All that was between us and our stated goal was the cables. After successfully navigating this final obstacle, we found ourselves celebrating at 8,842 feet above sea level.

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OHIO on the Half Dome Visor by John P. DeGrazio

Bob and Brian were big football fans, and when they reached the Half Dome visor, they decided to show their support for their favorite team, The Ohio State Buckeyes. As the NCAA prepares for the first ever 4 team playoffs, The Ohio State university has been knocking on the door to the playoff equation. As my Alma Mater, Rutgers University, has recently joined the Big Ten, I am reminded of the importance of football in Big Ten country. On our way down from the summit of Half Dome, Bob admitted to me that after 2 days of extreme hiking, he was very tired. When I asked him if he ever doubted making the Half Dome summit, he answered that he was making it all the way so he could submit this photo to his alumni association.

Goal setting is critical when trying to accomplish anything worthwhile, and it’s always a good idea to set them on a summit hike to supply extra motivation when it’s needed most. Many people succeed on these endurance adventure treks because they set goals to deal with the mental aspect of such a long day. It’s very important to begin a trip like this with that type of mental preparation. This was one of  Bob’s proudest moments, and it was a success story on so many levels. It was also another example how sports can bring families together. Bob and Brian thoroughly enjoyed their days in Yosemite and have some of their favorite photos of this journey together to reflect on their achievement. If you are ever fortunate enough to make one or both of these hikes, be sure to prepare both physically and mentally. Also be sure to set goals that will help guide you through each new challenge.

YExplore Lead Adventure Guide John P. DeGrazio has reached the summit of Half Dome more than 100 times. In this series, he will share stories from some of the most interesting journeys along the trail of Yosemite’s most popular peak. He will reflect on some of the most inspirational moments he has shared with hundreds of others while achieving their lifelong dreams. John will also share tips on how to properly prepare for such a long, arduous trek while providing insights on how to successfully complete this quest. He’ll also discuss changes to this hike he has witnessed throughout the years as well as many interesting encounters along the way.

 

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Filed Under: A Hundred Half Domes, Adventure Blog

November 19, 2014 By YExplore 4 Comments

#63 On Top of Half Dome at 70 Years Old

Guiding a 70th Celebration On Top of Half Dome 
by John P. DeGrazio 
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Stanley Celebrates his 70th Birthday on Top of Half Dome in Yosemite by John P. DeGrazio

“What is the age of the oldest person you’ve ever guided up Half Dome?” I often get this question, and here’s the answer I always tell. “Let me tell you a little story about a man named Stanley Kowalczyk.” Stanley Kowalczyk has more determination in his little finger than most people have in their entire body. Stanley loves Yosemite, and he decided to celebrate his 70th birthday with a visit to his beloved national park and an attempt to summit Yosemite Valley’s most recognizable landmark, Half Dome. This story is more than just Stanley and his epic journey, but also about a group that ranged in age from 19 to 70 but worked together as a team to reach the summit.

The day started as all other summit attempts begin at our meeting location with introductions and a safety orientation. During the introductions, we learned about everyone’s age, background, and various hiking experiences that would be shared throughout the rest of the day. It was a game of one upmanship as we made our way around the group starting with the Fergusons who were in their mid forties. Then came the Uhler clan with ages ranging from 50 to 62. Ed was confident he was the oldest in the group until we turned to Stanley who announced he just celebrated his 70th birthday. Then we turned to Jennifer, our assistant guide who hadn’t turned 19 yet, and you could cut through the tension with a knife. Ok, not really, but some fun comments did follow. As we hiked to the trailhead, we shared more stories, and when I announced I grew up in Freehold, New Jersey, Bob Uhler quickly turned the conversation into a lovefest for the Boss, Bruce Springsteen. I was happy to oblige.

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The Team on Top of Half Dome in Yosemite

It was a fantastic day for a hike, and everyone kept an even pace working together to reach our shared goal. The miles started adding up and so did the soreness for some of our group members. Stanley confided in me at our rest stop with just under two miles to the summit that things were becoming more difficult. I explained to him that safety is our number one priority and asked him if he wanted to continue. He affirmatively replied as if it weren’t even a question. Our pace had slowed a bit on the upper mountain, but that is natural with just about every group. I assured everyone we were doing well and were soon at the base of the Sub Dome.

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The Uhler Tribute on the Half Dome Summit by John P. DeGrazio

We took our time making it from the Sub Dome to the cables, and stopped for our last safety orientation below the final 600 foot ascent. On the cables, we worked as a team going board to board in a methodical fashion. Over the past 10 years, I’ve seen so many different approaches on the Half Dome cables. While, technically there is no wrong way to ascend them, I believe strongly in pulling yourself up using only one cable on the right side. I’ve seen countless people trying to navigate their way through this steep section by grabbing both cables and trying to swing themselves upward. I find two problems with this method. First, this becomes very tiring and burns out your forearms quickly. Climbing the cables requires both arm and leg strength, and, just as in rock climbing, I like to rely more on my legs because they are a lot stronger. This also allows me to reserve my arm strength for farther up the line when we pull ourselves up over some three foot granite steps on our route before we reach the summit. The second reason I teach our groups to use one cable is what goes up must come down. As in other hikers. When up climbers and down climbers both want to use both cables, it creates a huge logjam. If everyone stayed on one cable when there is two way traffic, there would less time that hikers will be stuck on the steepest, slickest part of the climb. It makes sense and can help prevent fatigue. What I love about sharing some of our techniques with others who are not in our group is the reactions we receive. The vast majority is receptive to our concepts, and many thank me at the top. Others, well, you can’t please everyone. My only goal is to avoid stress and make this a safer environment for everyone.

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Stacey Celebrates on the Summit of Half Dome by John P. DeGrazio

After several extended breaks on the roughly 60 boards leading to the summit, we made it. Stanley and the rest of our group were overjoyed. It was truly a special moment as Karen, Ed, and Bob unrolled a homemade banner in a tribute to their dad. Bob even removed his favorite Bruce Springsteen t shirt from his pack to wear for this special occasion. Karen’s husband Kevin and their friend Matt also joined in the celebration. Greg and Stacey were giddy as they hopped on all the rocks as they posed for their victory photos. Then there was Jennifer who hardly broke a sweat. I was happy to share this moment with every member of our group and honored to be the lead guide for a moment that was so special to everyone. Before we descended, I kidnapped Stanley and forced him to sit in a spot that was fitting for his accomplishment. He regally accepted the challenge and gazed into the Tenaya Canyon with amazement. We took a long time descending that day, and all were delighted to reach the parking lot. It was another spectacular day in Yosemite and one each of us will never forget.

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King Stanley Opts for an Exciting View by Stacey Ferguson

YExplore Lead Adventure Guide John P. DeGrazio has reached the summit of Half Dome more than one hundred times. In this series, he will share stories from some of the most interesting journeys along the trail of Yosemite’s most popular peak. He will reflect on some of the most inspirational moments he has shared with hundreds of others while achieving their lifelong dreams. John will also share tips on how to properly prepare for such a long, arduous trek while providing insights on how to successfully complete this quest. He’ll also discuss changes to this hike he has witnessed throughout the years as well as many interesting encounters along the way.

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Filed Under: A Hundred Half Domes, Adventure Blog, Safety Tips

November 12, 2014 By YExplore Leave a Comment

#33 Half Dome and Baseball

Snowy Field of Dreams 

By John P. DeGrazio 

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Tom and Chris Atop Half Dome in Yosemite by John P. DeGrazio

Nothing brings a father and son together like a good game of catch. Sunny days, baseball diamonds, and the smell of leather and fresh cut grass usually conjure up memories of America’s pastime. It’s a special game and one that is passed on from generation to generation.

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Snow in the outfield by John P. DeGrazio

Half Dome was our diamond in May 2010, and the outfield was covered in snow. There was no grass, no leather, and hardly any sun; but that didn’t stop Tom and Chris from enjoying this time honored tradition at 8,842 feet above sea level. After a long arduous trek through waterfalls and snow, we made our way to the summit. We were thrilled to drink in our reward for making such a long journey and also had the opportunity for true wilderness solitude as the only hikers on the summit that day.

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Father and Son on Half Dome by John P. DeGrazio

After lunch and a brief photo session, Tom reached into his backpack and revealed a familiar stitched spherical object that immediately caught the attention of his son Chris. It was a baseball, and it brought a smile to all of our faces. Tom asked Chris to have a catch with him, and the two men began tossing as if it were the famous scene from the movie “A Field of Dreams”. Tom asked me to capture the moment with his camera, and I happily obliged. After a short while, I was invited into the game. We shared fastballs, curves, and sliders and laughed heartily at the sting caused by each throw to our mittless hands on this raw afternoon. The unbridled joy was contagious and will never be forgotten.

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The Half Dome Visor covered in snow by John P. DeGrazio

On our return trip down the cables, the Yankees v. Red Sox banter that we initiated from the beginning of the trek reached a crescendo. We laughed the entire way down as if we were floating. Unfortunately, Tom misplaced his camera when he rearranged his pack at our rest spot below the Sub Dome. He hadn’t realized it was missing until one and a half miles farther down the trail. I offered to retrace our steps to retrieve the camera, but Tom refused. This was another valuable lesson learned. Besides the obvious ‘always surveying your area before leaving’, Tom taught me something so much deeper. He didn’t need photo prints of his special moment to remember its magnitude. He assured us all it was a memory forever etched in his mind and his heart. Chris and I accepted this after making one last futile attempt to persuade him to head back up the hill to find the lost treasures.

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Nevada Fall and the Merced River by John P. DeGrazio

I led a group up to Half Dome a few days later and searched valiantly for Tom’s camera to no avail. I even placed a lost and found claim in Yosemite Valley and followed it up with a blog post asking for the person who hiked up to Half Dome that week (May 18-25, 2010) to keep the camera but return the images. No answer. I remain optimistic my message will be seen by someone who will realize the importance of those photos.

A few weeks had passed when I received a package and a special note from Tom thanking me for that trip. It contained two books, an Ansel Adams photo book and a pictorial history of the New York Yankees. The note explained how much pain it brought a Red Sox fan to even purchase such an epic volume of triumph, but he wanted to show his appreciation and how much that experience truly meant to him. Words cannot describe how fortunate I am to receive such gifts. Every time I see those two symbols of gratitude on my bookshelf, I think what a wonderful opportunity I took in my life to not only change who I want to be but also how I can help make positive changes in the lives of others.

To this day, I think about the catch on top of that great big snow covered ballfield, and it always brings a smile to my face. Yosemite’s Half Dome is a place where dreams come true.

YExplore Lead Adventure Guide John P. DeGrazio has reached the summit of Half Dome more than one hundred times. In this series, he will share stories from some of the most interesting journeys on Yosemite’s most popular peak. He will reflect on some of the most inspirational moments he has shared with hundreds of others while achieving their lifelong dreams. He will also share tips on how to properly prepare for such a long, arduous trek while providing insights on how to successfully complete this quest. He’ll also discuss changes he has witnessed to the overall landscape of this trail as well as many interesting encounters along the way.

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Filed Under: A Hundred Half Domes, Adventure Blog

November 4, 2014 By YExplore Leave a Comment

#1 A Hundred Half Domes, the Series Begins

You Always Remember Your First Time 
By John P. DeGrazio 
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John, Dave, Ed, & Ram enjoy the views from the summit of Half Dome

It’s got to be at least 95 today. I think my sweat is sweating. I need to change this shirt. It stinks. And where did all these people come from? This trail is packed. Making our way down this longer trail was harder than I imagined, especially with no water. Why didn’t I just drink the iodine water? My left knee is barking like my dog when she sees a squirrel running through the trees outside my apartment window, but I’m going to try to ignore it. It’s not working. At least I have these raisins to suck on. Wow, did we do a lot of things wrong on this trip, but we made it to the top. What a view! What’s next?

It’s hard to believe that was already 11 years and over one hundred times ago. Half Dome has been calling my name ever since we planned that fateful Yosemite trip for the Fourth of July weekend in 2003. It was a trip that changed everything. I went from being an adventurous weekend warrior to dreaming about starting my own adventure company in a matter of 12 hours. My questions went from asking about how long was it going to take to how can I find a way to come back here. Permanently. In retrospect, it was a magical day.

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The Half Dome Journey begins with Rod, Ed, & Dave on the Mist Trail

The day started early. 3am! We stayed in a quaint little B&B that rented their private guest house to our rowdy (hardly) group of 5. They couldn’t believe that we chose to forego breakfast (definitely the best part of any B&B) in order to start our pre dawn hike. Our lodging was relatively close to Yosemite Valley in terms of mileage but the lower speed limits on windy roads left us preparing for additional drive time. We drove through Mariposa to pick up the rest of our hiking team and were in the Valley by around 6am.

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Catherine DeGrazio on her first journey up the Mist Trail

The hike began up the Mist Trail  and we made steady progress to Nevada Fall. Looking back at these photos of Vernal and Nevada, you can see this was a pretty healthy snow year.

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Booming Vernal Fall with Dave & Ed

We posed for a quick photo along the trail and parted ways with Catherine and Alice who were content with reaching the top of the waterfall before taking their time heading down the JMT at a leisurely pace.

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John and Catherine DeGrazio with Nevada Fall

They were determined to enjoy the rest of the day back at the lodge and more importantly, go to the store to prepare for a feast when we returned.

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The Original YExplore Team Atop the Mist Trail

Cindy, Rod, Dave, Ram, Ed, and I continued on to the summit and trudged our way up to Sub Dome. At that point, Cindy found the comfort of a shady Jeffrey Pine to read her book and recharge her battery. Rod had reached down for his last ounce of energy and decided it was time for us to leave him behind as well. We tried to convince him to stick it out but eventually relented and moved on without him. We were down to four. On the Sub Dome, our legs and lungs began to burn. Step by step, we were accomplishing our goal.

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Ed, Dave, Ram, & John on top of Sub Dome

Facing the cables for the first time was a bit unnerving. We settled down on a rock and removed our suede garden gloves from our packs. The cables were difficult. So difficult that I remember thinking that I might not have what it takes to make it to the top. This, of course, was crazy talk since I had already accomplished a much more difficult summit in Mt. Rainier; but doubt is a real thing and can strike at any time. We huffed and puffed and made our way up the chaotic cables to the top where Ram immediately plopped himself down on a nearby rock. Elation overcame us all, and we were quickly scampering around the summit posing for victory photos. I remember that feeling like it was yesterday.

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John P. DeGrazio First Half Dome Summit

Back then I saw it as conquering the Dome. A transformation occurred many years later in how I viewed this accomplishment, but the feeling of unbridled excitement remains with every successful summit.

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Ed Chao on top of Half Dome
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Living on the Edge with John P. DeGrazio

We ate our lunch along with our cans of peaches, and took some more photos before retreating. We returned to the cables and gleefully witnessed Rod making his final ascent. It was an amazing story, and one that helped shape my outlook as a guide. Rod had never given up on the climb, he just needed a little more time to make it. Knowing what I know now, I would have been more assertive to accomplish the goal together as long as Rod had been willing to try; but back then, I was more focused on my own achievement. It was a truly valuable lesson for all of us, and Ed and Dave went back up to the summit with Rod while Ram and I enjoyed a little extra rest before we all departed together down the tangled sea of humanity. It was the pre-permit days, but not quite the madhouse of 2010.

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Dave & Ed celebrate the summit of Half Dome from the Visor
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Ram crashes on the Half Dome Summit
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Sea of Humanity on the Half Dome Cables

On the return trip, we shared lots of great ideas. Crazy, far fetched ideas. I never claim to be the smartest guy in the room and would rather choose another room to be in if it’s close so it was a fruitful exercise in preparing a business plan. This trip was more than just a weekend adventure for me, and on that summit, I realized that the mountains were where I wanted to start the next chapter of my life. I’m not going to lie and say John Muir’s “The mountains are calling and I must go.” was my call to action. I hardly even knew who Muir was at the time, but I did share his burning desire to spend my days out in the wilderness as he did over a century prior to our excursion.  I knew one thing, the mountains and these adventures made me feel more alive than anything else so I began to ask myself, how can I turn this into a new career. I remember Ed distinctly focusing on the photography aspect of our day. It was the dawn of the digital camera age and his idea to find a way to create special adventures for people to share while learning how to use their expensive new toys. “Where else than in the land of Ansel Adams?” he so eloquently inquired. The idea was hatched.

The rest of the long slog back to the parking lot had me thirsting for more ideas and more water. We returned to the Merced River, and they dropped iodine pills into their water bottles. I was not thrilled with the idea and decided to hold out just a few more miles until we reached the water station at the Vernal Fall footbridge. Another lesson was learned, and I now bring my Katadyn Hiker water filter on every Half Dome summit trip. I sucked on raisins all the way down the John Muir trail until we reached the fanciful faucets of the filling station and drank until we were bloated. It was my insatiable thirst for adventure that would not be quenched that day, however.

We returned to our rented home for a delicious BBQ prepared by Catherine and Alice at around 8pm and were admittedly a little boisterous, but who could blame us? After a good night sleep, we were finally able to enjoy that hearty breakfast served by Kathy and Barney, packed our minivan, and headed off on our next adventure.

YExplore Lead Adventure Guide John P. DeGrazio has reached the summit of Half Dome more than one hundred times. In this series, he will share stories from some of the most interesting journeys on Yosemite’s most popular peak. He will reflect on some of the most inspirational moments he has shared with hundreds of others while achieving their lifelong dreams. He will also share tips on how to properly prepare for such a long, arduous trek while providing insights on how to successfully complete this quest. He’ll also discuss changes he has witnessed to the overall landscape of this trail as well as many interesting encounters along the way. 

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Filed Under: A Hundred Half Domes, Adventure Blog, Yosemite Adventures

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