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Half Dome Death Slabs

Original Post
Jplotz · · Cashmere, WA · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 1,315

Question: How improbable is it to onsight the Death Slabs approach to the RNWF in the pre-dawn?

csproul · · Pittsboro...sort of, NC · Joined Dec 2009 · Points: 330

Only been up it once in the light myself. However, I thought it was a pretty easy path to follow, but it was much longer than I expected..

Guy H. · · Fort Collins CO · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 8,318

Probably not the best idea, if you are trying to do it in a day. You might even have a hard time finding the start of the climb in the dark, not to mention that everyone that spent the night at the base will be in front of you. Once you hit the slabs, it is nice to spot the next fixed rope and scope out the best path to get to it. You will probably add at least 30-45 minutes trying to figure out where to go.

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Guy H. wrote:Probably not the best idea, if you are trying to do it in a day. You might even have a hard time finding the start of the climb in the dark, not to mention that everyone that spent the night at the base will be in front of you. Once you hit the slabs, it is nice to spot the next fixed rope and scope out the best path to get to it. You will probably add at least 30-45 minutes trying to figure out where to go.
So in short, scope it out before you need to do it for real.
Austin Boren · · las vegas Nevada · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 20

Its possible but plan on getting lost for a bit. We did it recently and the real issue for us was finding the start of the trail near mirror lake. It is not marked. You pass a sign near the bottom of mirror lake then start looking in the trees for a small trail with random small cairns. The fixed ropes, although helpful also eat up energy. Finding the start of the climb is easy. The crack goes up a corner next to some bushes growing on the face. You can fill your water bottles at a spring about 20 feet past the start.
Good luck

Jplotz · · Cashmere, WA · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 1,315

Useful information thanks.

taipan jam · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2015 · Points: 30

Yep good advice, when we did it the section from mirror up the first 1/4 or so was very confusing and time consuming in broad daylight...

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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