Half Dome

I just had my third visit to Half Dome - reacquainting myself with my monolith of a friend. It's quite an interesting relationship as I am always slightly intimidated in the beginning expecting some pain and judgment but always leaving quite filled and satisfied. I was able to gain a slightly different perspective on this visit hiking up in the darkness and making a lonely summit up the cables by the light of a full moon. On my two previous trips there were throng of hikers so distracting that you couldn't even hear nature anymore. However, on this journey it seemed my breathing was the only thing taking up space.

About half-way up on the hike I panicked. It wasn't because it was dark or that I didn't feel strong enough to make the journey. In spite of having two companions, I felt very lonely, or more specifically, I felt insignificant. Here I was plodding along, step after step, where thousands have walked before. It seemed my small party was the only thing transient in that moment - just passing through this landscape of gushing waterfalls, granite walls, and giant trees. They were there before us and will survive long after we have passed. What shook me out of that very tiny mortal feeling was awe and gratitude. Here I was along for an extraordinary ride, the rhythms of my body commanded by the setting and rising of a moon or sun.

That's when the door opened and I felt amazed by everything. Just above the treeline we paused to watch a massive lightning storm off to the East. More intimately, I peed behind a tree, but took the opportunity to face opposite the trunk in order to view the Southern ranges - relieving AND breathtaking! I watched a trail of headlamps inching up the cables to the summit ahead of us. The last headlamp fell behind and hesitated much too long at each post. The first headlamp turned around at the top, and made his way back down the cables to help his friend finish the climb. I dozed off on the summit and woke up disoriented only to pleasantly realize I was napping on half dome! I saw the shadows across the valley fade into light and the chill leave my bones as the sun peeked out over the horizon. I could go on but I keep thinking about the bathroom experience I just mentioned. Why didn't I ever realize before to turn around?

80 oz of water, 1 gatorade, two GU's, one plum, trail mix, PB&J, one pair of stripped gloves, and multiple doses of Advil later, I am still feeling a little sore. I keep saying this is my last trip to half dome. But I don't quite believe myself.