You'll Soon Need a Permit for Half Dome Cables

[DWK2]

They are implementing in May a quota system at 400/day to improve safety by cutting peak usage down from 1100-1200/day. Only a $1.50 processing fee now but I'll bet it's $10 in a few years....

If you climb the face, you can still come down the cables without a permit and for free!

DancesWithKnives

 

[skitertank]

yosemite is a beatiful place being ruined by society and idiots.next step,roller coasters and carousels cuz thats what its turning into,an amusement park.i guess everyone has forgot how nature was made to be experienced,for free.im glad they're trying to keep the number of people down on the trail,but they're fees for stuff are rediculous.

 

[DWK2]

I rarely frequent the place because of crowding, high fees, poor maintenance, and over regulation of small issues. However, it's still worth a visit for those who have never been there before.

DancesWithknives

 

[lambertiana]

Unfortunately, the Half Dome trail has been horribly overcrowded for a long time. The last time I went up the cables it was a huge traffic jam, and we spent a lot of time just standing there waiting for the people in front of us to continue. Of course, it did not help that someone in the group ahead of us was acrophobic and had to be coached through each and every step on the way up (literally every step required her friends to tell her many times where to place her feet).

I know of at least four fatalities on the cables in the last three years, plus another woman who was seriously injured but survived.

Yosemite is now so crowded that I rarely go there, even though I can be in Yosemite Valley in a little over three hours.

All that being said, I still think Half Dome is a great hike that everyone should do at least once. Here are some pics that I have posted before:

 

[vector001]

we can't be too harsh with them. some people shouldn't be up there.

at least with a permit, hopefully a ranger can look someone kindly in the eyes and say, "Sorry, Fatso. You just aren't going to make it. Come back fifty pounds lighter and I'll buy you the ticket myself."

vec

 

[wildmike]

I sure woldn't want to be below that fat guy when he loses his grip.

I tend to go further away from crowds.