How to Use a Climbing Rope on Half Dome Cables
Each summer, over 50,000 hikers brave the 425-foot, slick backside of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. The view from atop this 8,800-foot summit is spectacular. This high point lures hikers to trek the 16-mile round-trip journey to gain this Sierra Nevada summit. The climb up the Cable Route ascends a 45-degree granite slab located on the back side of the massive dome. Although climbers ascend this face without rope, using a rope makes the climb much safer.
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Instructions
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Put on your harness and prepare two pieces of 3-foot-long rope. Climbing grade rope is the safest, but a strong, thick-diameter rope that is in good condition is acceptable.
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Using figure-eight knots, tie one end of both ropes into a climbing harness. Be sure to tie the rope into the harness belay point near the pelvis.
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Tie figure-eight knots into the other ends of the rope and clip locking carabiners into these ends.
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Clip both carabiners into the cables and begin ascending the route. When you reach the metal rods, unlock one of the carabiners and switch it over the rod and back onto the cable.
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Relock the carabiner and repeat the previous step for the other side, leapfrogging the ropes over the rods as you make forward progress up the route.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear gloves on the climb to reduce abrasion on your skin from the cables, especially on the descent.
Bring a headlamp in case you run behind schedule.
Watch for summer storms; Half Dome is frequently struck by lightning during storms.
Always keep one of the carabiners locked while passing the rods on the cables.
