Half Dome

Hi all. Excuse my novice question. I'm an avid hiker but not really a climber. I'm taking a trip to Half Dome with my family, and we want to use climbing harnesses. We all have Black Diamond Momentum harnesses, but I'm not sure what to use to clip the harness to the cables. Ideally, I'd be able to use a via ferrata setup, but 1) It's really expensive and 2) I only have a short time before my trip, and can't get the setup shipped to me in time. Besides, I get that a via ferrata would be necessary with the possibility of a straight-up free-fall, but the type of fall much more likely on half dome is a tumble down the slope, which is a lot less of a shock load than a free fall.

So, my question is, any ideas on what I can rig up, and what to buy to do it? I need two ropes from the harness with a carabiner on the end of each, so that we're always clipped into the cables at one point. Engineer here, feel free to be technical.

Thanks so much!

No one can instruct you how to be safe on the HD cables via the internet.

Honestly, if you don't think you are safe just grabbing the cable like countless thousands before you then you probably are not up for the 18 mile hike with 5000' of elevation gain.

This said at the risk of insulting you, but in the hope you are safe.

Keep in mind a permit is required as well.

Do Cloud's Rest instead. Better view and no cables.

I'd use a long nylon runner girth hitched to your harness and some carabiners (twist lock if you feel the need since they're quick and easy to open and close) attached at the ends. If you can find any runners long enough you can always make your own with some tubular webbing tied with a water knot, just make sure the tails are long enough

Allen Rocha wrote: I'd use a long nylon runner girth hitched to your harness and some carabiners (twist lock if you feel the need since they're quick and easy to open and close) attached at the ends. If you can find any runners long enough you can always make your own with some tubular webbing tied with a water knot, just make sure the tails are long enough

And there you have it.

What could go wrong with a nylon runner rubbing on cable under load?

The cable is too fat to be clipped with a carabiner IIRC and they are not designed for this application.

You could easily just use two slings, each half hitched to your harness belay loop with carabiners on each loop. I would understand wanting you child to do this, but like Harumpfster said, if you feel the need to do this on this hike, it probably would be better to do a different hike. Just stay safe!

I understand. And yep. Have the permit.

Honestly, from the description, I've done much harder hikes, I'm not too concerned about the endurance (although we'll see, sometimes hikes surprise you). After research, I do want to use a harness even though I don't think pulling myself up the cables will be a problem of being physically unfit, but rather a precaution in case of tripping. I guess my question is more: any suggestions about what I can use for the 3 ft sections of rope from my harness to the cables?

I'll keep cloud's rest in mind though, sounds fun.

Mo C wrote: I understand. And yep. Have the permit.

Honestly, from the description, I've done much harder hikes, I'm not too concerned about the endurance (although we'll see, sometimes hikes surprise you). After research, I do want to use a harness even though I don't think pulling myself up the cables will be a problem of being physically unfit, but rather a precaution in case of tripping. I guess my question is more: any suggestions about what I can use for the 3 ft sections of rope from my harness to the cables?

I'll keep cloud's rest in mind though, sounds fun.

How many 18 mile hikes have you done at 9000' above sea level?

All you do is walk up the granite slab. The cables are just there for your balance and to give the tourists some sense of security.

Here is what I did with my 11 year old daughter.  We climbed up the Snake Dike ( a climbing route) and down the cables.  We each had 2 60 cm slings girthed hitched to our harness.  And we had two regular carabiners.  We clipped both carabiners to the cable.  And unclipped each one at a time as we passed the cable poles.  

Why?  We had the gear, and if I killed her I would never hear the end of it.

Sometimes you have to tell the mom you were safe.  Honestly...at the time she could lead 5.10, and she thought the whole thing was stupid.  But safer.

The decent is scarier than the climb.  That's what I thought.  

Only a couple people fall per decade.  So the safety stuff is for an outlier event. It would be nice to have if it were raining or snowing however.

Harumpfster Boondoggle wrote:

And there you have it.

What could go wrong with a nylon runner rubbing on cable under load?

The cable is too fat to be clipped with a carabiner IIRC and they are not designed for this application.

Wrong. Done it several times. 

To the OP- In all honesty, hampster bongwaffel^^^ might be right that you should consider if you're really up for this.

http://www.supertopo.com/tr/Half-Dome-cables-with-an-autistic-boy-er-young-man/t11115n.html
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1359960/Tying-into-Half-Dome-Cables
In the second linked thread, a guy says a BD Neutrino carabiner can clip the cables, so most biners should be able to do it.
I think you only need one tether and biner, like the guy who did it with his autistic son.
You climb up and stand on the next step.  Then unclip your biner and reclip it to the cable above the step.

The rock surface is polished and somewhat slick at the steepest part.

I agree with Nathan H.  Bring plenty of water and snacks. We ran out of food on way down and my small 13 year old daughter tan or of glycogen/ hit the wall. Miserable for last hour and nothing we could do. Recovered quickly at happy isles snack stand. Recommend dinner at Ahwahnee or Mountain Room broiler at Yosemite Lodge to celebrate.  

Go to the mountain shop when you get to the valley. They’ll sort you out.

Welp YGD so YOLO?

2/10

Sounds like a lot of fun!

North Dome also has an amazing summit view without crowds & permit lotteries . The Porcupine Creek trailhead on Hwy.120 is only 4 miles from the summit . The Upper Yosemite Falls Overlook is only 3 miles further on the North Rim trail &Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is another 3 miles downhill. YARTS goes back to Hwy. 120 .

Just go up there and you'll be fine. Especially don't listen to nut cases like Harumpfster Boondoggle.
Just clip your leash onto the cable and you'll be bomber.

expat exodus wrote: Just go up there and you'll be fine. Especially don't listen to nut cases like Harumpfster Boondoggle.
Just clip your leash onto the cable and you'll be bomber.

I prefer "crusty dad" hamster bongwaffle. : p

The cables are definitely clippable with normal biners.

The best thing to use something reasonably dynamic, or something with a progressive tear shock absorber (like a via ferrata lanyard). I would avoid taking even a small fall on a sling.

Bring good leather gloves for the cables. Your hands will thank you.

Harumpfster Boondoggle wrote:

I prefer "crusty dad" hamster bongwaffle. : p

Can we requisition a new name for Mr. Boondoggle? I like this suggestion, very funny for 9:21am cubicle entertainment