Night Climb Half Dome

Scaling Half Dome under the stars was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. The cables felt different in the dark, and the summit views at sunrise were absolutely breathtaking.

Starting the hike at 2 AM meant we had the trail mostly to ourselves. The headlamps created an otherworldly atmosphere as we navigated the switchbacks up the Mist Trail. The sound of Vernal Falls was amplified in the darkness, creating a soundtrack for our ascent.

Reaching the cables section before dawn was both terrifying and exhilarating. Without the visual reference of daylight, every handhold felt more deliberate. The metal cables were cold and slick with morning dew, but our determination pushed us forward.

The summit at sunrise was worth every challenging moment. Watching the first light hit Yosemite Valley from 8,800 feet above sea level was a spiritual experience. The granite domes glowed golden as the sun rose over the Sierra Nevada.

Descending in daylight revealed the true scale of what we had accomplished. The cables that had felt so precarious in the dark now seemed manageable, but the memory of our night climb will stay with me forever.