The Dome #4
This was year 4 for me. It was physically not hard because I've trained, it was emotionally hard because of the guy who died two weeks ago on it. Its amazing how your mind plays games. I just kept pushing it out of my mind and it was a great time. Here was the run down of the trip.
Left IE Tuesday afternoon in time to get some good tri-tip grub at Dog House in Fresno. Spent the night at Carlos' parents house. J and Hale-Yeah stopped by in the morning to say hi. Then we headed to Yosemite. 
Of coarse we had to take the traditional picture! Then we went to go and check in. 3 hours later we got this,
We were really nice but after 3 hours of checking in and getting assigned three wrong rooms they decided to give us some love. I laughed at the subject line that says "Guest Service Recovery". It was good HR.
After we ate we drove up to Glacer Point, its a look out that gives an amazing view of where we would be hiking to. 
You cant see the valley floor here but that is where we start. We go along the base of the mountain on the left, we hike stairs up the side of the first waterfall, cross the river on top of it then do switchback stairs up the second waterfall. Then we hike through that valley, then up around the mountain on the left to the back side of half dome. Its amazing how much you can travel in 6 hours up hill. 
Neal wasn't sold on this hike yet. He has that personality that is really fun to tell the worst case scenario
to and see his reaction. We played with his mind a lot in preparation to this hike.
Summer found this amazing verse about keeping our feet from slipping. It was so perfect.
4am 
5am
10am
11am
Hanging off.
1pm
4pm
Going down kills your body. I could barley walk. My knees felt like a knife was stabbing them with each step. Sounds fun huh. And that my friends is why I go back each year. H
awesome! it's smart of you guys to get started so early so that by the time you reached the cables, it was not packed with people. when we did it a few years ago, there were so many people on the cables, i kept thinking, "how strong are these posts put into the rock?" and we had to keep stopping and scooting to the side so people could come down as we went up. that made it a little scary (not to mention the girl that was frozen in fear 1/2 way up screaming, "I'M GONNA DIE!!!") she wasn't having fun at all. :) glad you're back safe.
Posted by: shan | July 01, 2007 at 07:02 PM
left a comment on Los blog as well, that looks friggin awesome... much cooler than any of the 'mountains' here in Ireland, is the mountain climable all year round? coz im hopfully comin to CA next year and would love to climb it...
Posted by: conzo | July 02, 2007 at 03:41 AM
When are we going next year?
Posted by: Jacinda | July 02, 2007 at 07:05 AM
the cables are up between the last weekend in may to the first weekend in october (usually) I think june is the best month because the water is still very high. It is beautiful no matter what. If you do want to go, and sleep in a hotel you need to book your room a year and a day in advance. They book up fast. You could stay in curry village which is a tent cabin and book it with in a few months of your travel, but the hotels book a year ahead. I just wanted to let you know. H
Posted by: whittakerwoman | July 02, 2007 at 10:44 AM
I'm so jealous!!!! We are so there next year!!! Just as soon as you run a marathon with me...
Posted by: Brittney Ekberg | July 02, 2007 at 11:16 AM
So..it's taken me weeks to comment back, but I am a daily reader of you and your hubby. Your hike looks awesome. I have a few questions for you about Losiah. We seem to parent the same way, always on the go, too busy for a schedule. (My kids went to bed around midnight last night..) Anyways, if you have a chance, could you drop me an e-mail? I would love to get your opinion about something. Thanks!
Posted by: rachel | July 02, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Looks like fun wss had by all! Chris was sad he missed this year. Maybe he can talk me into it sometime before 50:) Can't wait to see you guys in Oct...we are bringing the monkeys with us. Should be an interesting plane ride... but it's only 4 hours, we can do anything for 4 hours right? Two 2 year olds...4 hours on a plane... I am seriously, what do we have to worry about:) miss ya... me
Posted by: Tigernurse | July 02, 2007 at 01:42 PM
great pictures. i saw the video at your husband's site. i don't know if i could do it. i don't handle heights well. but it looks like a great accomplishment.
Posted by: Greg | July 05, 2007 at 10:39 AM
Oh, I'm so jealous. Wish I could do it too. The photo of you and Carlos standing alone on that cliff is awesome...and scary. Beautiful though.
Hugs!
Kat
Posted by: Kat | July 05, 2007 at 07:06 PM