Snake Dike

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Overview: The Rothinator and I set our sites on "the best moderate on the planet.' After a day getting used to Yosemite Valley slab and crack, we spent a big day getting to the top of one of the most recognizable pieces of granite in the world.

Itinerary:
Sat: Get a site somewhere in yosemite valley so we didn't have to hike and camp. Climb Commitment and Church Bowl Lieback. Catch evening alpenglow on Half Dome to quell any doubts of a summit attempt.
Sun: Wake up early, hike a lot, climb Snake Dike, descend, take pictures and drink tasty beer

Conditions:
- Chilly breeze blowing down from little yosemite over Nevada and Vernal Falls made for perfect temps to scale the 2500' approach between 0500 and 0830 PDT.
- As soon as the sun came up on the southeast side of half dome, it was shorts and tee-shirt weather...oh California, your weather is inimitable.
- After first pitch shade, cloudless skies with a slight breeze kept temps ideal.
- Many Bolts on pitches two and three appear as originally placed by the first ascent party, and inspire no confidence of withstanding a leader fall

Recommendations:
- Combine pitches two and three with a 70m rope for immediate Dike access
- If rain is in the forecast, bring a second rope to bail, as topping out requires endless 3rd class friction where the only thing stopping you from tumbling down the route you just climbed is the coefficient of static friction between your shoe and half dome's granite.

Personal Notes:
- Being surrounded by the immense, shear granite walls and cascading water falls in yosemite valley is ethereal
- Peanut butter Co.'s Dark Chocolate Dreams is a gustatory manifestation of heaven
- Best observed quote on the day, observed by a foreign visitor on the decent while watching in awe as thousands of gallons of water gush over Vernal Falls: "This is what I love about America, everything here is so f*ing big."

[img::aligncenter:medium:"It just might go." The route from just below the first pitch start. The chosen dike for climbing is in full view]

[img::aligncenter:medium:Getting used to slab: Pitch 1 done in style by the Rothinator]

[img::aligncenter:medium:Pitch 6: finishing up with the dike]

[img::aligncenter:medium:pitch 8: rounding the top, and hitting the end of roped climbing]

[img::aligncenter:medium:"Put the gear away and let's finish this pig."]

[img::aligncenter:medium:"Endless third class"]

[img::aligncenter:medium:words don't do it justice]

[img::aligncenter:medium:the descent isn't all a walk in the park]

[img::aligncenter:medium:Her Majesty Half Dome's Profile from the north]

[img::aligncenter:medium:An attempt to do justice to Vernal Falls...and failing]