Yosemite Half Dome: On the way up and on top.

Last week Phong asked me if I liked hiking and I answered with a "yes." He then asked me if Id like to hike Half Dome with them... but at NIGHT. I thought that this would be way more fun than the regular hike with the sun out cause that's what everyone else does and this will give us a different kind of experience and how many people do you know would do this?

It definitely increased the danger level with bears and rattle snakes being active at the time we would be hiking. We actually almost rescheduled to do it in the day time but eventually decided to go through with it.

Here we are getting ready.



Beginning of the trail.

HUGE ants.
8.2 miles to the top.


Couldnt take that many pictures throughout the way cause it was pitch black. There was no moon in the sky but that meant we were able to see more stars and the milky way! Also a whole bunch of shooting stars throughout the night.
Also because we were running late on our schedule. We were on a really fast pace and caught up with some hikers that started before us. But these two, Judy and Gloria, decided to stick with us all the way to the top.

Thanh getting a cramp and Phong giving him a massage. Cute right?
Finally at the top. This is the pile of loaner gloves. You need them to climb up the cables or your hands will be messed up.
The cables sucked for me because my shoes had no grip and I just kept slipping and all I was basically using were my arms/hands and I was starting to cramp. But I eventually made it up. Here we are waiting for the sunrise.
At this point I was basically crawling my way to the top cause my legs were cramping in all different places.
Waiting.
Here we go! This was actually pretty cool. You just see a burst of light break through the mountains.

Everyone rushing to get their cameras.



Sleeping.








Here are pictures from the famous "ledge" that everyone takes a picture on when they reach the top.







These last few shots were stolen from Thanh and Aria taken with their DSLRs.


Group shot!
This was such a fun experience. Even though it was very painful it is one of the most rewarding feelings once you get up there and see the view. All that hard work just paid off. We did the hike in a little over 4 hours which is suppose to take 5-6. Cant wait to do this and other hikes again!