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the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
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I loved Huell's trip up the cables too! "Isn't this AMAZING!". When the guy offers him an alcoholic shot, the camera cuts away for a few minutes, then comes back to Hugh, extra happy!
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. If you are complaining about the cables because of what you saw when YOU were on the cables....
At first I was put off by the new permit system. But, I like it now. I bet it has cut back a LOT on the yahoos on the cables. You can't just do it on a whim now. You have to plan in advance. When someone starts researching how to get a permit they will probably also find out a lot about what it's like and what is required.
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 7, 2011 - 07:40pm PT
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Cragman, you and I obviously don't agree on the cables and you have some very good points regarding your case- comparison with the Meadows isn't one of them. Every National Park has high density areas replete with hotels, resturants and stores. What happens in the wilderness areas of the Parks is another concern altogether.
Oh, and yes, I have been to the Valley lately.
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Cosimon
climber
Boulder, CO
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Apr 20, 2011 - 04:55pm PT
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Ascending the cables of half dome at age 8 is one of the coolest things I have ever done.
I might not have grown to appreciate the wilderness if I didn't get such a cool opportunity.
Also, it's pretty darn convenient to run down the cables after doing the regular route on the face!
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pcg
climber
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Apr 20, 2011 - 05:04pm PT
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"the cables mar the landscape"
Probably the least mar of any other structure in the valley.
"create a circus like atmosphere"
It's a national park...
"enable unqualified people to get in harms way"
Yes, but many of those same unqualified people would scramble up there if the cables were gone as well, and more would then be in harm's way.
My suggestion to those who object is to not go there, and be grateful that it attracts people away from other places you might want to go.
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bjj
climber
beyond the sun
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Apr 20, 2011 - 06:41pm PT
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I've never been over to the cables, or 1/2 dome at all for that matter. Can you just shoe up and climb up or down solo 6 feet to the left? It looks like low angle 5.5 all the way.
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tomtom
Social climber
Seattle, Wa
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Apr 20, 2011 - 06:45pm PT
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It's time to remove all the bolts and fixed gear from El Cap as well!
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oldtopangalizard
Social climber
ca
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Apr 20, 2011 - 07:26pm PT
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OK, Survival's list (#5 and #6 specifically) seals the deal. The cables stay!
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fongschway
Social climber
Plainfield, VT
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Apr 20, 2011 - 09:32pm PT
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Why don't we add a second set of cables?....
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Ahwahnee Bartender
Big Wall climber
Fog Town
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Apr 20, 2011 - 10:09pm PT
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So it's 1975 and me and my buddy are working in YOSE Valley. We decide to hike to the top of Half Dome on our days off. We get there and <OOPS> the cables aren't up yet. So we batman up the cables and there is hardly a soul around. At 3/4's the way up I step on an eye bolt and take this shot. Ahhhh, the good 'ol days.
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Kalimon
Trad climber
Ridgway, CO
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Apr 20, 2011 - 10:32pm PT
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What is wrong with Via Ferrata? We should have more of them.
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frog (the real frog)
Trad climber
San Diego
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Apr 20, 2011 - 11:30pm PT
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I've a different take ... I'm in my 69th year ... I've been up the cables about 10 times, and down the cables about 11 times (Snake dyke about '05 - yeah I know)... the last time 3 yrs ago on the spur of the moment about 1300 starting from the rock above the bridge to Vernal - in Tevas and a windup flashlight ... I anticipate more adventures (if I can get a permit) ...
My Dad did HD (for the first and only time)in '87 at the age of 69 1/2 ...
My wife, both daughters, one son-in-law (all 4 several times), one granddaughter, a hiking buddy, and about a dozen fellow Yosemite (we call it "mysemite") lovers have been up the cables ........ without the cables only two of us might have made it to the top ...
My hiking buddy backed off HD twice before the cables due to the exposure ... but after he literally crawled across the narrow ridge to Clouds Rest (I had his back pack and his keys) he stood on top of HD the next day ...
These folks all experienced something akin to you guys topping out on El Cap ... they faced fears ... they learned something about themselves ... they have memories that will last to the grave - and grow with each retelling ... and 4 additional grandkids have learned to love Yosemite (almost ready for the "trek") ...
Without the cables - none of these adventures ...
So I say leave the cables ... if one wants solitude there are other ways to the top ... there are places in the valley where one can be alone ... we climbers have our "cables" all over Yosemite in the form of bolts and anchors ...
In this world where "big brother" thinks he knows best and wants to rule every aspect of our lives, let's grant this bit of adventure where folks can confront their spirit and see who dwells therein ...
As for the permits ... they will lead to more accidents ........... if one has one permit for a specific day, one will push beyond good judgement 'cause that's his only shot ...
Just an old guys rant re "mysemite" ...
***
-where body ... mind ... will struggle no higher .....
there confront spirit - may you like whom you meet there ...
- bnthr -
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Tom
Big Wall climber
San Luis Obispo CA
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Apr 20, 2011 - 11:44pm PT
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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Apr 21, 2011 - 12:59am PT
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hey there all, say..... just been reading and listening to all this...
thanks for all the shares...
:)
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Tom
Big Wall climber
San Luis Obispo CA
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Apr 21, 2011 - 02:34am PT
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Check out how China does it . . .
Or the Germans/Austrians, with the Zugspitze:
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Apr 21, 2011 - 03:10am PT
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I'm fairly astonished by this.
Once again, people interested in doing something to control the lives/activities of others. Are you all Repubs?
If these deface the rock, then bolts deface the rock. Outlaw it all.
Or....be reasonable and accommodating of others.
The 100,000 or so NON_CLIMBING VOTERS (!) that have climbed it in the last 10 years dwarf the voting climbing community (part of which would rather vote for Nader, than a winning candidate).
Keep the voters away from wilderness areas, and pretty soon, they'll have no reason to support the existance of such areas.
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MTucker
Ice climber
Arizona
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Apr 21, 2011 - 03:18am PT
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The 100,000 or so NON_CLIMBING VOTERS (!) that have climbed it in the last 10 years dwarf the voting climbing community (part of which would rather vote for Nader, than a winning candidate).
Try about 100,000 a year. Before 2010.
NPS Stat
(Before the permit system was implemented in 2010, about 400 people used this trail on weekdays, while about 800 people used this trail on weekends and holidays, on average.)
2010 and after.
Permits to hike to the top of Half Dome are now required seven days per week when the cables are up.
HD permits are being traded and scalped on Craigslist.
A maximum of 400 permits will be issued each of these days.
Average time the cables are up is 130 days. (52,000 people)
If the HD cables are up 100 days that is 40,000 people.
That is just permitted days starting 2010.
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
San Diego
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Apr 21, 2011 - 03:34am PT
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Hey, I got an idea.
I could give tandem paragiding rides off the visor on HD back down to the valley floor to ease the cable burden.
Hey, a compromise. I'm trying to work with you here people . . .
A few less tourists going down the cables would help wouldn't it?
Would be cool. Also it would help cover my summer time expenses. Tips only of course.
What do you think?
I would only do it because it's the right environmental thing to do. I want to ease the overuse of the cables and trail up to HD.
I should be heralded as a a hero by the LEO of the NPS.
I'm only thinking of the environment and reducing the number of cable users. What ever I can do to help. Only altruistic motives.
Honestly.
I mean really.
I really mean it.
C'mon I wouldn't joke about something as serious as this.
:-))
(I'm think I'm tapping into the spirit of Earl Redfern)
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gonamok
climber
dont make me come over there
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Apr 21, 2011 - 03:56am PT
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I think the cables have been there long enough to earn eminent domain. I know those boards are mighty nice to walk down after you climb the other side.
One half dome attraction that few would miss if it were eliminated - the steenking mule trains that ferry tourists up the trail. They tear up the ground, raise dust and demand the right of way, and the mules are surly as hell. You should at least have to walk up to the cables if you are going to climb them.
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Wack
climber
Dazevue
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Apr 21, 2011 - 07:21am PT
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Talk to normal people about hiking HD. The experience is one of their few adventures into the epic area, the experience of a lifetime. The NPS is constantly dumbing things down to the lowest common denominator. I find that they are leaving the cables up encouraging. Oh and bring back the Firefall.
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