List maintained by Dr. Jay Dunbar: send additions/corrections to drjay@magictortoise.com

Suggested reading: Bob Madgic, Shattered Air: A True Account of Catastrophe and Courage on Yosemite's Half Dome. Burford Books, 2005.

Check out a live view of Half Dome, sponsored by the Yosemite Association, a non-profit park support group. The image is updated every couple of minutes: http://www.yosemite.org/vryos/index.htm

See this webpage for a map and a good description of the hike: http://www.rahul.net/kenton/fun/yosemite/ .

Also, check out http://www.yosemitevacation.com/hike.halfdome.htm for crucial information regarding the Half Dome Hike. For example, the list below is from that site, although the version presented here has been somewhat revised:

1. Water. Lots of water. Recommended amount is 1/2 -1 gallon.
2. Water purifier pills (“Potable Aqua” is a two-tablet set where one purifies and another neutralizes the taste of the first), a micro-filter or micro-filter water bottle. Streams may contain parasites.
3. Food (high energy, light weight), such as food bars, Lunchables, trail mix (“gorp”), granola bars, dried fruit, raisins, cheese & crackers or high protein drinks like Ensure.
4. Gloves (leather or rawhide, not winter type), to protect your hands on the cables. (A pile of castoff gloves is usually at the base of the cables... if you want to take a chance the gloves will be there).
5. Spare socks (to put on after cooling feet in a stream on the way down).
6. Mole skin (to put on sore spots on toes, precut or bring pocket knife).
7. Kleenex or toilet paper (only pit stops are at Vernal Fall bridge, Nevada Fall, & Little Yosemite Valley campground), and plastic zip-lock bag to pack out your waste paper.
8. Plastic bag containing: Band-Aids, gauze pads & tape, Neosporin, pain reliever, rub-on ointment like Ben Gay, Traumeel, Arnica, etc. for sore muscles… whatever other first aid items that would make you feel better prepared.
9. Dramamine (while this is certainly optional, many have found that it helps fend off climber’s vertigo!)
10. Nail clipper/pocket knife.
11. Bandanna (nice to wet in streams along the way to wet the face/neck).
12. Sunscreen (apply frequently since you will be perspiring often).
13. Bug repellent (mosquitoes are out in early day and evening, pesky small flies, too).
14. Hat (cover over the back of neck is good as the sun will be on your back most of the way).
15. Backpack or waist pack (some use two waist packs, one front the other back). If you use a backpack, make sure it has a chest strap to pull the shoulder straps toward the center.
16. Knee/ankle brace (or a wrapable Ace bandage with clips).
17. Hiking boots, light weight with good ankle support and rugged soles (sneakers are slippery on rocks).
18. Depending on the time of year, you may want a longsleeve shirt, lightweight windbreaker, or jacket.
19. Poncho (a small, inexpensive, disposable one will do).
20. Small flashlight (hike may take you longer than expected). Better yet, an L.E.D. headlamp (keeps your hands free)… and bring an extra set of batteries.
21. Camera (put around neck or in backpack while going up the cables).
22. You may prefer to hike with a walking stick, which aids balance and lets your arms assist your legs… or trekking poles (good idea to learn to use these in advance).
23. Topo map (just in case).
24. Silver warmth emergency blanket.
25. Money to get ice cream at Curry Village at end of hike.