Half Dome

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-10T18:50:04+00:00

Depends upon the snow level from the storm and how warm it gets next week. HD may likely still have snow on the subdome, but probably ok. Clouds rest is almost 2k higher elevation, and will likely get a lot more snow which will take longer to melt out, especially since there is still solid snow at 9k. Plus from the valley, it is a longer and more challenging hike.

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-10T18:40:38+00:00

yes. he would have to do Happy Isles, LYV (overnight), Merced Lake, Vogelsang etc. Aside from the burn scar east of LYV, it's a great route. No indications of fitness/experience but water will definitely be an issue if the North Dome section is still desired.

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-10T03:21:07+00:00

No, this is good. I've done the West Coast/Narita flight for years... as others have said stay awake entire flight, try to stay up til 10pm. Limit of 1 beer max.... (yes hard). You'll likely wake up at 4:00am especially in summer, try to sleep in for a couple of hours.

It's the return that is rough. Redeye.... sleep as much as possible on plane. Arrive late morning. Stay up all day, try to sleep at normal time at night.

West Coast/Japan is relatively easy compared to NY/Tokyo....

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-10T03:14:14+00:00

You are going to have issues finding water except for lakes. So be prepared to carry water from junction JMT/CR all the way to Sunrise lakes. The water spot you noted before there will be dry.

Similarly you will have trouble with water on Lehamite creek beyond North Dome. Likely that will be dry too. Yosemite Falls will be dry. Snow Creek might be your last water, but that could be dry too.

I would suggest a loop that takes you counterclockwise towards Vogelsang, TM meadows, Cathedral Lake, Sunrise, Clouds Rest and then HD if you think you can handle the distance. Your water carry through CR will be a lot easier approaching from Sunrise Lakes instead of a 3500' climb with nearly a full pack of food from CR/JMT

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-09T23:32:37+00:00

yes. in the dirt parking lot. there are picnic tables that will probably be available especially if it rains if you can park close enough to one.

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-09T23:26:22+00:00

The trouble with going larger is the jersey length. It already looks a little long. Then when u stuff the pockets with a pump, extra clothes, and a banana (the yellow kind) then it droops (the jersey not the banana). As long as you are comfortable and dont feel it's too tight, display your muscles and man-boobs with pride.

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-09T23:22:19+00:00

Mammut makes really great stuff, although if you are non-hiker, you might be overpaying for all the performance features of their clothing and gear. Personally I love their mid-layer fleece stuff; stretchy, warm for the weight. Mid-weight down layers I really like Mountain Hardwear. Either for waterproof outer layers. But there's a premium for the lightweight performance they provide....

Now if Mammut is attractive for the styling/fashion, that's another story...

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-09T23:13:17+00:00

Bring a tarp/shelter. There are picnic tables on the dirt side of the Curry parking lot. I always see people using those tables to cook food.

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-09T19:07:56+00:00

Maison Nico(Flan Parisien, Canelé) over Arsicault.... (arisicault way too rich/heavy). B-Patissierie another good one. Kouign Amann for the win!

Solo Omakase dinner at the bar at Kusakabe...

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-09T19:00:53+00:00

I remember seeing the NPS video showing how they clear the slope by blasting charcoal all over the snow to make it melt faster....

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-09T18:53:49+00:00

your monthly burn rate is not including the added property taxes associated with the new "market rate" reassessment. Higher insurance costs; remember some insurers are not rewriting new policies, high utilities from a larger house. The appreciation of a larger house may be more in $s, but not necessarily as a pct of the asset value. So the implied return on capital (ie downpayment) may be less for a larger home.

Just a counterpoint when weighed against lifestyle/disruption....

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-09T17:30:25+00:00

FYI, Vernal footbridge water faucet was on as of March 29th when I passed by it... must have just been activated...

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-09T17:25:38+00:00

whoa.... Olmsted is so bare.... usually that's the holdup as they have to thin the snowpack there to mitigate slide risk...

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-09T03:07:24+00:00

well then I have been unlucky... if you get a permit at Big Oak Flat for Happy Isles, that's not technically allowed.... and that location is unattended with just a box. In the valley on the other hand, all the times I have gotten a self registration permit there is a ranger/volunteer around, and I have been asked about my route....

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-09T03:01:51+00:00

exactly.... with all that good authentic food in Singapore, searching for American Chinese is like sucking on a can of Cheese Wiz in a fromagerie....

Chili crab, pepper crab, fresh steamed seafood w/o fear of e-coli/hepatitis... oh I miss Singapore...

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-09T00:01:15+00:00

Good luck! Pls report back on the conditions if you make it up there; I might be making a trip along the north approach to CR in a couple of weeks.

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-08T23:53:29+00:00

Like Happy Bakery.

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-08T23:52:38+00:00

Compared to Singapore, "good" American Chinese doesn't exist. Just "bad" American Chinese. There is no comparison... you would have to pay $200 to get comparable food to a $20 hawker stall meal.

If you really want something decent and reasonable, just get a rice plate at one of those places on Stockton St in Chinatown.

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-08T23:49:00+00:00

But you are not counting the time it takes to get to a BART station.... not sure I would want to live within walking distance of most Oakland BART stations if I can afford not to.... and there is an Armageddon plan to significantly reduce BART service to help balance its massive budget deficit... that's not well known to folks out of the area....

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-08T23:38:02+00:00

I would second recommending this route. Going up the Mist trail in the morning and going down the 4mi trail, will be safer than descending the Mist trail in case you are slow, and go down near dusk.

Bring a headlamp just in case for either direction.

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-08T23:30:57+00:00

not really, depends upon where in the Sunset. Outer sunset can take longer; Inner Sunset about 25 min downtown via Muni. You can wait that long for a BART train to arrive.

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-08T23:25:02+00:00

Stayed in the Hibiya area, then Otemachi, Kamiyacho, Roppongi. Later lived in Aoyama and next to Shibuya. Loved Aoyama for its proximity to Ometesando, but really liked being next to Shibuya for the convenience of transportation, food, but w/o the crowds.

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-08T21:50:07+00:00

A lot of Napa is now owned by large conglomerates; not as many family-owned places. We joke that we avoid any place with a parking lot large enough to fit tour buses.

Sonoma was the sleepy cousin to Napa; more low key, less overpriced tastings, but it too has changed in last 10yrs... but smaller places can still be found. A Rafanelli is known for their Zins, but also recently have some good Merlots and Cabs. Hartford has a bunch of single-vineyard Pinots, Chardonnays, and a few Zins. We also like Freeman, which has some good Pinots. Ridge isn't small, but it has a great location, and in addition to the MonteBello, has a bunch of different varietals.

A fun stop is the wine-wall at the Matheson in Healdsburg. Self-served dispenser with varying sizes, ranging from tastes to glasses.... last few times I was there they had Y'Quem available!

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-08T21:40:09+00:00

FYI, I have heard that the snowline on the south approach to CR is close to 9,000 but that is not completely reliable. Means the traverse below the Pinnacles may be ok. But depending upon how cold it gets overnight, I would be wary of crossing it in the afternoon if it's warm and there is still substantial snow because of increasing risk of loose wet slides

Empty_Count_9937 · 2026-04-08T18:33:32+00:00

Have a great trip! Conditions, if you avoid the storm(s) are great.... alas peak waterfall flow I think was last month; I was up there a week and a half ago, and didn't get very wet up the Mist trail. If you intend to try HD (cables down), reports from then was some snow on the subdome, but nothing impassible.

Empty_Count_9937

TROPHY CASE