Half Dome – Yosemite Musing
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Since we have been talking about Yosemite’s waterfalls lately, here’s one for you. Zambia’s Victoria Falls is the largest in the world (length) and it is a couple tads higher than our Vernal Fall. It is 5,604 ftwide and has a height of 108 ft, forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world. During our autumn, flow is down so people with small brains go out to the edge and look down. Watch this. Maybe we can start this at our favorite National Park.
On a brighter note, the US Air Force Band of the Golden West is performing in Oakhurst at the Oakhurst Community Park on Saturday, Aug. 20 at 7 pm.
And on-site report back from Yosemite by blog reader Maureen sez that Vernal and Nevada falls look like the end of May in a low-water year and ponchos were not needed on the Mist Trail. Carry one anyway in case of seasonal afternoon thunderstorms. The Avalanche Fire smoke does dampen the view from the top of HD and its smoke settles in the Valley overnight. So now hard hats for the rockfalls and gas masks for smoke. Got it. That fire is 25% contained with 1040 acres burned and a date of Sept 1 estimated for extinguishment.
She also echos a suggestion that I’ve made and to ask for a tent cabin in the 700 series when you arrive at Curry Village. This will put you away from the hordes with no manners and closer to the trailhead. Bring earplugs and a loud alarm.
Unrelated thought worth quoting: “You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.” – Abraham Lincoln
*MrHalfDome – Rick Deutsch – www.HikeHalfDome.com
MrHalfDome's Blog 
August 18, 2011 at 4:50 pm |
Don’t see any railing in Zimbabwae..
August 18, 2011 at 8:51 pm |
That’s why their life expectancy is 30!!!
August 18, 2011 at 4:51 pm |
🙂
August 18, 2011 at 5:10 pm |
Well Rick, it appears that one thing none of us can fix is being STUPID. I take some liberties with nature,but to me that just is not the brightest thing to do. I thoroughly enjoy your blog. Keep it goin….
August 18, 2011 at 5:22 pm |
P.S. I met you on your descent from your 30th Half-Dome hike. I was the tallest guy on the Dome that day. I made a comment to you on the people using body harnesses,and clipping onto the cables at each post. They made it so miserably slow,They cause people to pass them,sometimes dangerously. I also have some pics of you and your group,which I will send you when I figure out how. By the way, it was your blog that got us 2 permits to make our ascent. For that I thank you most graciously.
John Stillman
August 18, 2011 at 8:49 pm |
Thanks John…Yeah Harnesses are not needed if you do it as I suggest..but folks can do what they want – just no camping in on top and you need a permit.
August 18, 2011 at 7:09 pm |
I’ve seen Vic Falls…and it’s beautiful…but what is depicted on this video seems ridiculously stupid! This is why people think they can just climb over barriers and stand in the waters above falls. I couldn’t even finish watching it I was so appalled.
August 18, 2011 at 10:14 pm |
Yes, it seems ridiculous indeed. However to my knowledge nobody ever died swimming in Devil’s Pool (but – of course – there have been casualties at Victoria Falls). Due to it’s structure is relatively “safe” (no strong current) and you’ll even find pictures of moms with very young children enjoying the view. Being somewhat of an safety advocat I have to admit I think I would do it too. 😉
August 19, 2011 at 1:54 am |
Call me boring but I’ve recently become a ‘not wading atop insanely high waterfalls’ advocate. I think I wet myself watching that video. I don’t care if no one has ever died doing it, I don’t plan on being the first lol!
August 19, 2011 at 10:01 am |
That’s not boring – it’s smart. 🙂