Half Dome

A truly spectacular peak, Half Dome is rightly revered as one Yosemite's great landmarks. It was first climbed in 1875 by George Anderson, despite being described in a report 10 years earlier as "perfectly inaccessible, being probably the only one of the prominent points about the Yosemite which never has been, and never will be, trodden by human foot". Nowadays it is an attainable (but still tough) hike with a famous section of cables close to the summit. The hike is 14-16 miles long (depending on exactly how you do it) and gains 4800 feet in that time. Most hikers take 10 - 12 hours to complete the roundtrip having started at sunrise. The hike up is clear and well marked but 400 feet below the summit a series of cables begin. You will need to haul yourself up these (although there is a wooden walkway underfoot to help you grip) to reach the very top. The cables are not very steep but concentration is still required if you are to stay safe while climbing them. Once at the top of the cables, take in the extraordinary panorama across one of the Country's best known and most dramatic valleys. There is also the option to crawl to the edge of the 2000 feet high north-west face and peer down it, but only if you have a head for heights! Descend back down the same route to the valley floor.