Yosemite's Half Dome: The Ultimate Granite Climbing Challenge

The iconic symbol of Yosemite! Standing at 8,842 feet, this granite dome offers the ultimate climbing experience, requiring a permit for this extreme challenge and rewarding climbers with breathtaking panoramic views. 🎫 Permit Application: · Day-use climbing permits open for application every March via a lottery system · Application fee: $10; successful applicants pay an additional $25 per person climbing fee · Lottery success rate: approximately 10-20%; multiple applications recommended to increase chances · Same-day permits: A limited number are released at 10 AM two days prior 🗺️ Climbing Routes: · Mist Trail: Passes Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, steeper but offers stunning views · John Muir Trail: Gentler slope but longer distance · One-way distance: 14-16 miles with an elevation gain of 4,800 feet · Climbing time: 12-16 hours round trip, requiring exceptional physical fitness ⛓️ Cable Section: · Final 400 feet involves climbing a 45-degree granite slope · Steel cables assist climbers; gloves are essential to prevent cuts · Cables are installed only from May to October; climbing is prohibited outside this period · Those with acrophobia or insufficient stamina are advised to turn back at Sub Dome 📸 Photography Opportunities: · Summit 360-degree views: Capture the entirety of Yosemite Valley · Sunrise: Witness the Sierra Nevada mountains bathed in morning light · Overlook views: Marvel at the winding Tenaya Canyon and Merced River · Cable section: Document the unforgettable climbing experience Half Dome was formed 87 million years ago from cooled granite magma, sculpted over 2 million years by glacial activity. Its unique half-dome shape wasn’t cut in half but naturally formed through vertical joint surface erosion!