Read Part I ↗

Fast forward to day three of our 24-mile backcountry hike through Yosemite National Park.

I woke up around 5 a.m. so I could make a detour and climb Half Dome which was a bucket list item for me. We had spent most of day two hiking faster than usual, trying to outrun an incoming storm, and my wife had injured her knee along the way. I would be making the detour alone. Thankfully, the weather was cooperating, and I just couldn’t believe I was actually on my way to the summit.

Getting from camp to the base of the Half Dome cables was exhausting enough. By the time I reached it, I had almost no energy left.

Nearing the top, I had to stop and catch my breath every couple of steps. From the perspective of my timelapse shot, the cables don’t look like much, but in reality it’s a 400-foot climb up a 45-degree granite slab at over 8,800 feet above sea level.

Coming back down was easier physically, but maybe even more nerve-racking than going up. You have to descend facing the rock, moving backwards, and by that time of day, more hikers were making their way toward the summit, which meant carefully maneuvering past everyone heading up.

I’d consider myself to be in good physical shape, but this was one of the hardest, but most rewarding, experiences of my life.

On day four, we finally made it down into Yosemite Valley. Despite the pain, my wife never complained, and we still find ourselves reminiscing about that beautiful adventure.

So… when’s the next hike, Eve?