Looks like if you want to climb Half Dome, you’re going to have to apply for a permit. Quote from the NPS site:
In order to increase safety along the Half Dome cables, all people using the Half Dome Trail above the subdome must have a permit in possession on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays when the cables are up
I guess it’s not too surprising that the NPS has finally decided to require permits to summit the Dome. I remember there being a couple of tragic falls in the past couple of years. The one I remember happened shortly before or after my coworkers and I went up in the summer of 07.
With the increased number of tourists visiting national parks these days, I think it’s a good idea to put the brakes on the massive throngs of people trying to climb Half Dome. The traffic jam created by all of us weekend warriors on the cables is worse than the 4o5 on a Friday night. The long lines make the final ascent not only longer, but also more dangerous too. Cranky, sunburned, and fatigued people do not make the wisest decision.
I just had a flashback of the crazy Mormom chick in the Little House on the Prairie dress flying up the Dome by climbing on the outside of the cables. Crazy.
On average, the trail sees about 800 people on a Fri/Sat/Sun. The park will be issuing a maximum of 400 permits for weekends and federal holidays. I don’t have any plans to climb Half Dome any time soon but if did, I’ll certainly appreciate the lighter crowds.