Climbing Half Dome is a bucket list item for many people but what is the safest way to climb it? Here I will detail various considerations for deciding whether to climb Half Dome during the regular season (with the cables up) or in the off season (with the cables down), and discuss whether to make the climb as a day hike or a backpacking trip. Along the way, we'll look at the safety gear I recommend for each method.

CONTENTS:
So you want to climb Half Dome? 0:00
Avoid the Dangerous "Safety" System 0:54
Day Hike vs. Backpacking Considerations 3:49
Total Distance and Elevation 4:11
Water, Food, Clothing 5:32
Wilderness and Half Dome Permits 6:43
Climbing Method Considerations 8:25
Regular Season (Cables Up) 8:50
Off Season (Cables Down) 10:20
Crowd Dangers 10:58
Safety System Danger 13:11
Climbing Gear for Cables Up 14:33
Gloves 15:19
Shoes 16:09
Why Climb with Cables Down? 16:55
Climbing Gear for Cables Down 18:35
Summary of Reasons to Climb with Cables Up / Down 19:50
Skills for Climbing with Cables Down 20:31
Prusik Hitch with Sterling Hollowblock 20:45
Prusik with Sewn Prusik Cord 21:39
Klemheist with Sewn Prusik Cord 21:58
Personal Anchor System (PAS) 22:24
Autoblock Hitch 23:10
Valdotain Tresse with VT Prusik Cord 23:29
Conclusion 23:53

GEAR USED IN VIDEO
APPROACH SHOES: Evolv Cruzer Psyche Approach Shoe https://amzn.to/3Kfsxwo
SPIKES: Hillsound Trail Crampon https://amzn.to/3C7ipSl
GLOVES: Mad Grip F100 Pro Palm Knuckler https://amzn.to/3jctMzj
& Petzl Cordex https://amzn.to/3EcpP8M
HARNESS: Black Diamond Momentum https://amzn.to/3t4emn1
or (cheap) Weanas Thicken Climbing Harness https://amzn.to/3h9tibn
PERSONAL ANCHOR SYSTEM: Sterling Chain Reactor Pro https://amzn.to/37plLWw
SLINGS: GM 16mm Nylon Sling Runner 48" https://amzn.to/3eDp2PY
CARABINERS: Black Diamond Rocklock Screwgate Carabiner https://amzn.to/3fFf95w
& Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Eco Triple FG (NonAnodized) Locking Carabiner https://amzn.to/32Hcbwc
CORDS: Sterling 6.8mm HollowBlock2 Loop 13.5" https://amzn.to/3hEtiDJ
& RockNRescue 8mm Sewn Prusik Loop 24" https://amzn.to/3IGOtjR
& Bluewater 7mm VT (Valdotain Tresse) Prusik 32" https://amzn.to/3ydp0tg
VIA FERRATA LANYARDS:
Black Diamond Iron Cruiser Via Ferrata https://amzn.to/3zNx6ek
Petzl Easy Rider Via Ferrata Lanyard https://amzn.to/3T8SC44
CAMP Kinetic Gyro Rewind Pro Via Ferrata Lanyard https://amzn.to/3TfPH9v

INFORMATION LINKS
Safety Gear for Climbing Half Dome (Cables Up)    • The Best Safety Gear for Climbing Hal...  
Climbing Gear for Hikers    • Safe on Sketchy Routes . . . Climbing...  
Half Dome Hiking: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisi...
Yosemite Wilderness Permits: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisi...
Yosemite Wilderness Stations: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisi...
Friction Hitches    • Prusik, Auto Blocks, and Klemheist Br...  
Fall Factor and Impact Force Theory: https://www.petzl.com/US/en/Sport/Fal...
Climbing Glove Reviews https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics...
Snake Dike Beta https://www.mountainproject.com/route...
Half Dome Deaths (SFGate Article) https://www.sfgate.com/outdoors/artic...
Half Dome Deaths: https://www.businessinsider.com/howm...
Tying a Prusik https://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/p...
Tying a Klemheist https://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/k...
Tying an Autoblock https://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/a...
Tying a Valdotain Tresse https://www.netknots.com/rope_knots/v...

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MUSIC
Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com