Half Dome Permits vs. A Second Tourist Lane

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Messages 1 - 10 of total 10 in this topic
Tom

Big Wall climber
San Luis Obispo CA
Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 11, 2010 - 05:13am PT
On a typical summer day, the Half Dome cable trail used to look like a disaster waiting to happen. In fact, four deaths in four years proved it to be a public hazard.

What's the solution?

I once asked Ranger Lincoln Else about the wisdom (wisdumb?) of putting up a third cable, to provide two structured, up and down, lane routes for Half Dome's trail. My dementhesis was that if there were two lanes, traffic would flow more easily and more safely. It would seem obvious that traffic would flow as intended, without any sort of policing function to ensure proper use.

Link's reply was that modifying the National Park was anethema to his role as keeper of the Park for future generations. His reasoning was 100% sound - if a third line of picket holes is percussionly drilled into Half Dome's shoulder, what's to stop the next "logical improvement" to the National Park? His professional mandate, and personal desire, was to maintain the National Park in its natural state, so that all could enjoy it for all time.


But now?

The NPS has invoked a traffic control system requiring permits, compleat with the requirement of a policing function at the base of the trail.

How is that according to the NPS mandate of ensuring the public can enjoy the National Park as intended by Congress?



I WANT YOUR VOTES AND COMMENTS:

A) - Third cable, to provide two structured traffic lanes for pedestrians

B) - Require pedestrian permits that limit public access to the trail

EDIT:

C) - remove the cables, limiting summit access to 5th class climbers

Tom

Big Wall climber
San Luis Obispo CA
Topic Author's Reply - Feb 11, 2010 - 05:34am PT
Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention what Lincoln's first response to my proposal was: remove the cables altogether, because they are an atavistic structure antagonistic to modern wilderness protection practice. I added a third vote choice above.
enjoimx

Big Wall climber
SLO Cal
Feb 11, 2010 - 06:35am PT
Consider this: If they put in an "extra cable", what do you think it would look like? The government couldnt just come in and install some rickety-@ss cable with 2x4s on the rock like they have now. Safety requirements would turn it into a RIDICULOUSLY hideous looking obstructive piece of railing that would be idiot proof, probably replete with mandatory clip in spots, dynamited steps, who knows what the hell else!

My vote: Just leave it the way it is. No permits, no extra cables. Let people police themselves. Risk is inherent and can NEVER be avoided. Publicize the deaths, put a small sign up saying that people die on this route all the time, do so at your own risk. Hopefully people will stay away because they will expect large crowds.

I wouldnt take the cables down, since the precident has been set. I wouldnt have put them up in the first place, but we cant take em down. We would have to remove all of our drilled bolts if we did to be fair.
tinker b

climber
the commonwealth
Feb 11, 2010 - 10:33am PT
d) none of the above
it seems that most of the accidents have happened when there has been wet or freezing weather up there. it does not seem as though the accidents have been a result of too many people up there. so i wonder if the permit system is going to encourage more people to go up when it is raining, since that will be there only day to go, rather than waiting for better weather.

i also disagree with putting up another line and drilling huge holes in sacred rock. i thought people got up in arms over rap bolting on growing up.

i think it is well documented that going up in storms is a bad idea. i believe that there is a little sign with a picture that says there have been many fatalities on half dome.
people need to take responsibility for their actions.
tooth

Trad climber
The Best Place On Earth
Feb 11, 2010 - 10:42am PT
I say remove it all.


I don't want them to make any policy moves that could be logically extended and screw us climbers.

Putting in permit systems can do that.

Putting in traffic cops at the base of the route can do that.

Charging for a route can do that.



Removing everything and letting people be responsible for their own way up (5th class) treats everyone like I would like to be treated, and treats the natural resources with respect. That will cut down on so much traffic, letting some of the park heal, while allowing all visitors open and fair access to the park.

I'm not American so I don't understand the emotional ties there are with those cables, but they seem so out of place in America, like a little part of europe or china in your park...
corniss chopper

Mountain climber
san jose, ca
Feb 11, 2010 - 01:07pm PT
Our wonderful and competent NPS 'paved' the trail up to the Vernal Falls Bridge. Good idea. Also note that that bridge is wide enough for 4 hikers
(maybe 5). Good planning there also.
Seems more than a little hypocritical not to complete the job
begun on the Half Dome Cables in 1919 by adding a third cable to make up and down lanes for hikers and ease congestion.

monolith

climber
Berkeley, CA
Feb 11, 2010 - 02:14pm PT
Yep, the original historic route has already been modified once to accomodate more climbers. Why not again?

One can always make slippery slope arguments no matter what the agenda.
corniss chopper

Mountain climber
san jose, ca
Feb 11, 2010 - 02:21pm PT
With a little shopping around I'm sure NPS can contract for pipes that look identical to the ones already there. Cable is also simple to buy.

The easiest will be procuring the weathered creaky cross boards
so no one will be able to tell which is the new lane.

John Moosie

climber
Beautiful California
Feb 11, 2010 - 02:21pm PT
Seems more than a little hypocritical not to complete the job
begun on the Half Dome Cables in 1919 by adding a third cable to make up and down lanes for hikers and ease congestion.

Excellent point. Plus we could mention the stair like steps to the top of Vernal falls. The guard rail. The block wall on the horse trail. The carved steps on Yosemite falls trail. The block wall at glacier point.

All things to make things safer and more accessible to the public.

I vote for..

A..
rockermike

Trad climber
Berkeley
Feb 11, 2010 - 03:24pm PT
how about sand blasting the current route so that its not so damn slippery. I think someone pointed out earlier that it the polish from so many people that makes the route increasingly slippery these days.

That or take the cables down. But that's not going to happen.
Messages 1 - 10 of total 10 in this topic
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