Is anyone reestablishing that Half Dome route today?

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Messages 1 - 131 of total 131 in this topic
Jobeezlies

Social climber
Cincinnati, OH
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 11, 2015 - 09:51am PT
Must be such a cool opportunity http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/jul/10/yosemite-half-dome-rock-climbing-rockfall
Bushman

Social climber
Elk Grove, California
Jul 11, 2015 - 04:16pm PT
The next King Swing!
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Jul 11, 2015 - 05:45pm PT
It will be a real game changer if somebody makes it 5.12+ slab, instead of an aid ladder or something.

One of the great "moderate" routes in the world could be no more.

I'm glad I did it when we were only climbing up to hard 10/ easy 11!!

We tried to free as much of the Zig Zags as we could, but didn't try and hang out and work moves and stuff. We just did as best we could onsight and slipped comfortably into aid bits.

But a desperate, mandatory free section would change all that.

What is the best thing for the community as a whole?
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Jul 11, 2015 - 06:11pm PT
CoZmic's Anasazi Variation!
climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Jul 11, 2015 - 07:29pm PT
It's not like it can't be fixed if someone truly f*#ks it up. I don't think anyone wants to be known forever as the person who screwed it up. Uhm.. James isn't in the valley right now is he?

Meh whatever gets done is gunna be argued about ad nauseum though...should be fun.
WBraun

climber
Jul 11, 2015 - 07:29pm PT
Cedar Wright will climb it first .....
ß Î Ø T Ç H

climber
Jul 11, 2015 - 08:26pm PT
Jardine
ß Î Ø T Ç H

climber
Jul 11, 2015 - 08:58pm PT
Nice pic from the link (too much snow to be 2015) http://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/2645e76ab6a454cc872ed46dd665f35978a6e1d9/0_199_3000_1800/master/3000.jpg?w=1920&q=85&auto=format&sharp=10&s=ee515a0dd82d1ddf8aeb848a65e7f0e1
rockermike

Trad climber
Berkeley
Jul 11, 2015 - 11:54pm PT
What would Robins do? Got to go to the man for permission.

Funny question.... why is chipping holds somehow more offensive than a bolt ladder? Just asking.
Dr.Sprock

Boulder climber
I'm James Brown, Bi-atch!
Jul 12, 2015 - 01:46am PT
paging Caldwell and Jorgeson - please report to the base of Half Dome,
donini

Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
Jul 12, 2015 - 08:22am PT
It's a big wall route that has some aid climbing for the VAST majority of climbers. Keep it in the same vein.
Those earlier posts about slab climbing....the ONLY climbers who talk about slab climbing are from Cali and North Carolina.
John M

climber
Jul 12, 2015 - 09:07am PT
Nobody has a photo?

a lot of photos on this thread..

http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/2651396/Half-Dome-Rockfall
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Jul 12, 2015 - 09:28am PT
As far as the Direct goes

Whoa, wait a minute! I've missed something...AGAIN!!
The Direct is falling off too?



Correction: IS no more.
I was talking about the 5.9 C-1 format, c'mon bro!
Bullwinkle

Boulder climber
Jul 12, 2015 - 09:59am PT
Cragman, I belive that Jerry Gallwas was 19 years old and single when he did the First Ascent of the NorthWest Face of HalfDome with Royal Robbins and Mike Sherrick. . .df

Edit, in fact I think that he was living at home and discovering the Dirtbag life of Climbing. .
the goat

climber
north central WA
Jul 12, 2015 - 10:11am PT
With all the technology today, is there any way to glue the ledge system back on?
Lorenzo

Trad climber
Portland Oregon
Jul 12, 2015 - 11:11am PT
Sure, there's some modern structural epoxies that might hold up to 50 years until UV degradation sets in...

Before that, though. You go to the base and start dry-fitting the shards back together. Should only be a few million of them.
looking sketchy there...

Social climber
Lassitude 33
Jul 12, 2015 - 11:30am PT
With all due respect to Royal Robbins and Gerry Galwas, the pitches they established and climbed do not exist anymore. As such, it is not for them to decide how a new section of rock should be climbed.

But, I have faith that a suitable replacement of the lost pitches, in keeping with the character and popularity of the route, will eventually be established.
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Jul 12, 2015 - 11:57am PT
A "reasonable" variation should definitely be one of the considerations in my mind.

I mean, a few thousands of 5.9 guys have done it, including Royal Robbins, let's go.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Jul 12, 2015 - 12:15pm PT
This is an iconic route and some thought needs to go into reestablishing it so as to maintain the original character and grade if possible at about 5.9 C3. Royal, Jerry and Mike did their best and we need to do ours now with clear focus on the lasting quality of result. At least until Big Sandy becomes Little Sandy LOL
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Jul 12, 2015 - 01:12pm PT
Bonatti Pillar.


Shlt happens.
coolrockclimberguy69

climber
Jul 12, 2015 - 03:19pm PT
via ferrata
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Jul 12, 2015 - 03:21pm PT
If I can reach my goal of $5000 on Jumpstart Funding,
I will do it and you can watch me drill with live streaming on the web!
At the $250 level, I will stamp your initials in one of the bolt hangers!
BLUEBLOCR

Social climber
joshua tree
Jul 12, 2015 - 03:45pm PT
Locker, let's us go put a nut in it, and call it 5.7, many would be stoked;D
BLUEBLOCR

Social climber
joshua tree
Jul 12, 2015 - 04:08pm PT

maaaannnnn that sound SO WRONG!^^^^^^;^)

haha! We could call it; "The Irregular Route".
Psilocyborg

climber
Jul 12, 2015 - 07:54pm PT
Done, and done. Like a thief in the night!
coolrockclimberguy69

climber
Jul 12, 2015 - 08:55pm PT
just bolt on a big traversing peg board and be done with it
no stupid A0 bolt ladder and no lame ass slab stinkbug action
add two (2) 1" dowels to the rack per wall jockey, rigged so you can clip them off
you ppl are overthinking this

ß Î Ø T Ç H

climber
Jul 12, 2015 - 11:08pm PT
I am more concerned about the soloing of it.
Is Honndo's the first and last FS?
Curt

climber
Gold Canyon, AZ
Jul 12, 2015 - 11:21pm PT
1. Who gets to establish the new pitches on the Regular Route?

Who ever gets around to it first.

Curt
Don Paul

Big Wall climber
Denver CO
Jul 14, 2015 - 06:29pm PT
Whatever happened to Royal Robbins?
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Jul 14, 2015 - 06:59pm PT
Whatever happened to Royal Robbins?
A lot of climbing happened between 1957 and the late 1970s, when he stopped climbing due to psoriatic arthritis in his wrist, and took up whitewater kayaking.
He turned 80 back in February:
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/2573871/Royal-Robbins-80th-Birthday
His health has declined in the last couple of years:
He has PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy). It’s a rare palsy that has some of the tendencies of Parkinson’s
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/2514032/Royal-Robbins-and-Valley-Uprising-Tomorrow-in-Modesto
ecflau

Gym climber
CA
Jul 14, 2015 - 07:35pm PT
Nanook (Erik) - thanks for your reply... I'm glad to hear that it may be kept at a moderate grade, so gumbies like me can still climb it. Its been my dream for the past few years to do Half Dome and I really wanted to do it this fall or next spring, but if its runout 5.12 slab I'm screwed...
son of stan

Boulder climber
San Jose CA
Jul 14, 2015 - 09:00pm PT
Can't decide which helmet will protect me from that big 'hang fire' driveway
sized slab, if it releases at the wrong time.

JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
Jul 14, 2015 - 10:36pm PT
Bullwinkle, Gallwas' Gallop was put up in 1953 by Jerry, Wilts and Robbins, so he would have been awfully young then. Of course, Guido was rather young on the FA of Coonyard, too, so it's possible but, in my opinion, unlikely, that he was still a teenager in 1957.

As for who puts up other options to get to the upper part of the route, Curt has it right.

John
ß Î Ø T Ç H

climber
Shittawk WA
Jul 14, 2015 - 11:20pm PT
The variation should go left onto easier ground, and come back to join the pitches above the rockfall, like nothing ever happend.
Roger Brown

climber
Oceano, California
Jul 15, 2015 - 08:55am PT
Clint,
If you drill a bolt ladder, and maybe you should, we can all rest assured it will be hand drilled in good style. The route will be repaired and then the free climbers can then free your bolt ladder. I vote for Clint.
AP

Trad climber
Calgary
Jul 15, 2015 - 09:08am PT
Maybe its time for Ray Jardine to come out of retirement to do a chipped traverse line.
Tamara Robbins

climber
not a climber, just related...
Jul 15, 2015 - 12:42pm PT
I'm running late returning to work after lunch, but thought I'd share what I wrote in response to something on climbing.com regarding the slab fall. For the record, I'm not speaking for dad here.... just sharing my opinion ;)

"Possibilities in climbing have been totally expanded and rewritten by today's generation in the sport. Several decades ago it was incomprehensible that free solos of the sort we're seeing could happen. It seems to me that leaving challenges like this open and available for future threshold-pushers would be an appropriately humble approach (no pun intended....). IMO, that route (or, pitch) is GONE. To try and bolt to recreate it really goes against the precepts it was formed on.... the idea of clean climbing...."
Bruce Morris

Social climber
Belmont, California
Jul 15, 2015 - 12:52pm PT
Before drilling a bolt ladder, someone needs to go up there and see if the slab traverse goes at a modest standard, say 5.10b/c. Until someone goes up there and checks out the free climbing possibilities, it's all speculative.

"Not an image of the thing, but the thing itself"

 Ezra Pound (after T.E. Hulme)
limpingcrab

Trad climber
the middle of CA
Jul 15, 2015 - 01:08pm PT
Dyno
Stephen McCabe

Trad climber
near Santa Cruz, CA
Jul 15, 2015 - 01:13pm PT
Dyno. ha. good one.
I don't think I have the best resolution photos, but if the traverse doesn't work well, people might even look at going way down and right, up cracks and then back left to the chimneys, once the dust settles.
Trashman

Trad climber
SLC
Jul 15, 2015 - 01:13pm PT
see if the slab traverse goes at a modest standard, say 5.10b/c.

ELITIST!!! If it's not 5.5 we should put bolts in every 5'. (sarchasm off)

Moderate or not, I think some high end free climbers should be up there if it gets rebolted. If there's going to be a bolt ladder it might as well follow the natural route for a change.

JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
Jul 15, 2015 - 01:24pm PT
If there's going to be a bolt ladder it might as well follow the natural route for a change.

The original route seemed rather natural - if circuitous - to me.

Tamara poses the most interesting question to my mind. In 1957, this climb broke new ground. While we think of it as a trade route now, it was quite elitist when first climbed. What, if anything, is worth preserving -- the "trade route difficulty," the cutting edge climbing, or something else?

John

Edit: I think El Cap expresses my own feelings pretty well.
pelut espania

Big Wall climber
Espania
Jul 15, 2015 - 01:43pm PT
Hola mi Americano Dogs!

The wall es back in the action by muy bold Espania hombres! No Americano could do so bueno route fix and rename of old classico route to nuevo standards! Bueno suerte mi Americano dogs as not hombre in USA has huevos of size rechoired for escalde ascent

Salut! Viva Espania!
tornado

climber
lawrence kansas
Jul 15, 2015 - 01:53pm PT
Pelut, I can't understand a thing you are saying because of your accent. It's gotten worse.
c wilmot

climber
Jul 15, 2015 - 01:55pm PT
do you have to clip bolts to free climb? Can you not just skip them if you want the challenge?
Trashman

Trad climber
SLC
Jul 15, 2015 - 02:34pm PT
The original route seemed rather natural - if circuitous - to me.

Agreed, wasn't referring to this route in particular, was actually thinking of the one in the pic below.
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Jul 15, 2015 - 03:06pm PT
I agree with Will that it would be dumb to ignore close free climbing possibilities while bolting it.
I free climb 5.10 these days, but 5.13 doesn't look impossible to me, so I'm not sure about that line of reasoning.
Sure, ideally it would be great if someone like Mikey Schaefer would be in town and up to do it.
But I suspect most of the 5.13 granite FA folks are off climbing elsewhere in mid summer.
(P.S. I hope I'm not the clown! :-) )
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Jul 15, 2015 - 03:28pm PT
Thanks.
I'll admit - I didn't think City Park or the Great Roof would go free.
But being wrong gives a chance to learn! (Wouldn't want to get Half Dome wrong, of course).
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Jul 15, 2015 - 04:07pm PT
Pelutted is back. Viva Trollo!
Don Paul

Big Wall climber
Denver CO
Jul 15, 2015 - 04:20pm PT
IMO, that route (or, pitch) is GONE. To try and bolt to recreate it really goes against the precepts it was formed on.... the idea of clean climbing...."

Well, I think its good that intermediate level climbers can climb up the face of half dome. A long moderate route with one or two really hard pitches in the middle would not be a good route. I liked the idea of going left into easier terrain if this is possible. (I have not actually done the route) Then if someone wants to free climb the "direct" face, feel free. But also keeping style in mind and making something that other people would want to repeat. On the other hand if there is really no work-around, and the only way up is to bolt something, then I would go for a grade more in keeping with the rest of it. Is your dad not interested in this at all? At one time he was especially interested in climbing ethics and this would be a good time to weigh in. - Paul
Highlander

Big Wall climber
Ouray, CO
Jul 15, 2015 - 04:21pm PT
Heard there was more rock fall up on the Dome today, it may change a little more before it's all said and done.
climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Jul 15, 2015 - 04:33pm PT
Or another team decides
reason

Big Wall climber
Fort Collins Co
Jul 16, 2015 - 09:46am PT
Just hope whomever re-establishs this section takes into consideration the over all route and that the Regular Route is very popular moderate route, this should be reestablished in that spirit. If the climbing on the new section cannot be aided and ends up being in the 5.10's there should be bolts added so it is possible to aid the route. It would be tragic if moderate 10 climbers where shut down on this moderate classic. I am a moderate 5.10 climber and have done this route two times. It is a very special big wall.
Lambone

Big Wall climber
Ashland, Or
Jul 16, 2015 - 09:56am PT
Regardless of where this thread on Supertaco goes, we all know that a bolt ladder is going to be drilled.

tahoemnts2

Trad climber
Truckee, CA
Jul 16, 2015 - 10:27am PT
How did Honold free this section? Just follow his lead...
Trashman

Trad climber
SLC
Jul 16, 2015 - 10:32am PT
Agreed Lambone, and since we know it will likely be freed again as well, just advocating that they follow the likely free path.

If that means aid climbers have to go sideways instead of directly from point A to B, so be it.
hayduke

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Jul 16, 2015 - 10:56am PT
A link with a few more details about yesterday's rockfall near Tis-Sa-Ack

http://gripped.com/news/another-huge-half-dome-rock-fall/
TheTye

Trad climber
Sacramento CA
Jul 16, 2015 - 12:16pm PT
The only place on Half Dome for moderate climbers is the cables? That seems a bit elitist and dickish...
Trashman

Trad climber
SLC
Jul 16, 2015 - 12:17pm PT
They've got snake hike too
Grippa

Trad climber
Salt Lake City, UT
Jul 16, 2015 - 12:41pm PT
Listen to all the goobers on here begging for an easy variation. You don't know what's up there, and what's offered. If someone goes up and puts up a new variation, and you don't feel comfortable climbing the variation that is established then either you don't climb the route or you go up with the intention of finding something that suits your skill level as an FA variant.

I hope whoever has the balls to step up to the killing fields up there puts in something free.

As Piton Ron said "Bonnati Pilar" haha.
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Jul 16, 2015 - 02:12pm PT
IMO the new section should simply be consistent with the rest of the route. It would be dumb to have a 5.14 mandatory free slab pitch in the middle of a 5.9 C1 route.

But we can debate all we want, whoever goes up there and establishes the new pitches will do what they want and unless it's terribly out of character with the rest of the route and Half Dome standards it will remain.
Maeday

Trad climber
San Francisco
Jul 16, 2015 - 03:57pm PT
Translation of Pelut's post.

The wall es back in the action by muy bold Espania hombres! No Americano could do so bueno route fix and rename of old classico route to nuevo standards! Bueno suerte mi Americano dogs as not hombre in USA has huevos of size rechoired for escalde ascent

Salut! Viva Espania

Can't wait to see who does it! The topo is there:)
Lorenzo

Trad climber
Portland Oregon
Jul 16, 2015 - 04:07pm PT
That's the worst Spanglish ever.
WBraun

climber
Jul 16, 2015 - 04:16pm PT
This thread is nothing but people guessing, yapping endless saying nothing.

You will be surprised what will be happening with this.

It's gonna be rough for n00000bs .....
Gene

climber
Jul 16, 2015 - 04:31pm PT
Once the RNWFHD is reestablished to approximate the original, would someone please replace the Rotten Log?

Thanks.
crankster

Trad climber
No. Tahoe
Jul 16, 2015 - 07:45pm PT
Jul 16, 2015 - 04:16pm PT
This thread is nothing but people guessing, yapping endless saying nothing.

Case in point.
Tamara Robbins

climber
not a climber, just related...
Jul 16, 2015 - 09:39pm PT
For those who were wondering what Royal's response is, I sent a copy of my post with a general explanation of context & he and Mom read it and responded with "Perfect!"

Led me to muse that I'd asked them at all - his words throughout the years, as well as his routes, pretty clearly "state" his stance about all things climbing (and ethics) related.


If it has indeed already been bolted, I'm sorry to hear it. Seems a precipitous response to an awesome change of the game by the universe/mother nature! Fortunately, even if so, it shouldn't affect the spirit of those who are stretching the limits, acting with integrity, and rising to challenges.... as nothing has the power to do that.


Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Jul 16, 2015 - 10:01pm PT
All this jabbering and it ain't done yet? Weak!
donald perry

Trad climber
kearny, NJ
Jul 17, 2015 - 03:56pm PT
How much time does one need to spend in the gym to get up this thing now? It's only a short section, I think to for hard core climbers to have one pitch there makes little to no sense, unless it is a variation. The ideal situation for all concerned would be to try to put something back there similar to what was there before if at all possible. Perhaps a pendulum of some kind or hooking up some "easy" free climbing sections for all the people who want to "repeat" the route.
Don Paul

Big Wall climber
Denver CO
Jul 17, 2015 - 04:22pm PT
Well, the first ascensionist has spoken and the traditional rules should be respected. I'm hoping there is a variation no harder than 5.10.

TLP

climber
Jul 17, 2015 - 09:04pm PT
Good mix of thoughts expressed. But this one deserves more attention, for two reasons:
if the traverse doesn't work well, people might even look at going way down and right, up cracks and then back left to the chimneys, once the dust settles.

It sure does seem like there might be a possibility to lower a ways then pendulum way right, then climb maybe some more fun aid up to connect with the remaining chimneys. That would leave the blank dirt-stained patch available for some rad free - with the pendulum bolt for the first minimalist point of pro. So, two really different variations to satisfy different camps of thought on this thread.

One really cool thing about the original route is that it connects features. Any substitute for the missing pitch or so should be consistent with that approach, even if it means a pretty significant variation and some actual aid to do in a part of the route that you used to just zoom up (uh, unless you bivvied, like we did, on the missing ledge). It would make it a better route albeit at the cost that you wouldn't do the Robbins Traverse anymore.

The other issue is "once the dust settles". Which could be a while if the next couple chimneys fall off too.
ß Î Ø T Ç H

Trad climber
Shittalkqua, WA
Jul 17, 2015 - 09:22pm PT
fun aid
... is neither.
bootysatva

Trad climber
Idyllwild / Joshua Tree Ca.
Jul 20, 2015 - 07:10am PT
If the new section is harder than 5.11a I'll have to settle for one of the other bazillion climbs I have yet to do. ( or train harder )
Every climb in the world need not be dumbed down to my level.
For me, climbing is about meeting the earth as it is and rising to the challenge without bringing it down to my ability of lack thereof.

Ernesto Ale'
david_cdx

Trad climber
Mexico City
Jul 22, 2015 - 06:24pm PT

There has not been any try ?
WBraun

climber
Jul 22, 2015 - 07:36pm PT
There has not been any try ?

There has.

Top secret .....
couchmaster

climber
Jul 22, 2015 - 07:40pm PT
I'll be the first to suggest that the 100 new bolts in the bolt ladder put in to link features to keep the route viable be named the "Robbins bolt ladder". In honor of....etc etc etc etc.


Warren has given a thumbs up they say.

Sits all i have. will sit and nosh popcorn as the discourse unfolds:

sorry, i really meant "will sit and nosh popcorn as "TEH" discourse unfolds....
Bivi Brothers

Trad climber
Oceanside California
Jul 27, 2015 - 09:50am PT
Just spent 5 days on the Route, 3 days of which were figuring out the proudest and safest way to link the missing pitch. Two variation now exist to bypass the fallen pitch!!!
Will post trip report with topo beta soon!!!
And yes it was a dream come true! Thanks to all my loved ones who believed in us that we could make it happen!
[photo[photo[photoid=420437]id=420437]id=420437]
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Jul 27, 2015 - 09:55am PT
Serious Bivi Brothers? SWEET!!

More info!

Trip report!

N00bs, Geezers and Hardmen alike want to know!!
Batrock

Trad climber
Burbank
Jul 27, 2015 - 10:33am PT
Bump,
Come on Josh, lets hear it. Cant wait!!
squishy

Mountain climber
Jul 27, 2015 - 10:50am PT
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Jul 27, 2015 - 11:13am PT
First post ever to a highly charged question?

Bivi Trolls?
survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Jul 27, 2015 - 11:54am PT
I don't think it's a troll.
Bivi Brothers

Trad climber
Oceanside California
Jul 27, 2015 - 12:09pm PT
Sorry definitely not a Troll.
I am just not that active on ST... Although I have had a user account since 2008! More of a MP person myself!
Anyways prior to making this adventure and following every forum about the given subject matter. I decided Super Topo should be one of the first places I sould share such a life changing and radical adventure!!!
I can tell everyone in the Climbing Comunity that all share in the spirit of the activity we love so much. I am waiting to get together with my partner to put our photos together and right a trip report!!🙏
limpingcrab

Trad climber
the middle of CA
Jul 27, 2015 - 12:21pm PT
Glad you didn't die, at least tell us the ratings!!!
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Jul 27, 2015 - 12:31pm PT
Sounds like good work.
Looking forward to the report and photos!
Roxy

Trad climber
CA Central Coast
Jul 27, 2015 - 01:10pm PT

awesome, this thread finally hatched...


Can't wait to see the topo and the TR!!
msiddens

Trad climber
Jul 27, 2015 - 01:16pm PT
Hurry up, details please! Lol solid work
JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
Jul 27, 2015 - 02:03pm PT
Bump to keep up the anticipation fo the TR.

John
GDavis

Social climber
SOL CAL
Jul 27, 2015 - 02:07pm PT
Glad you're safe buddy, we were worried down here with the recent storms. Rest up and extoll us of yer tales :D
canyoncat

Social climber
SoCal
Jul 27, 2015 - 02:11pm PT
I guess Chongo is too late, huh?
climbski2

Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
Jul 27, 2015 - 02:14pm PT
Oh..I hope it's good!
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Jul 27, 2015 - 02:50pm PT
Way to get out there and get it.

And two variations by one party sounds like a great idea. Can't wait for the TR.
socalrocks

climber
Jul 27, 2015 - 03:02pm PT
I can personally guarantee that Josh is not trolling here! Major props and I'm super excited to see the trip report! wah pah chaaaa buddy!!!
GDavis

Social climber
SOL CAL
Jul 27, 2015 - 03:35pm PT
2/10 troll.

Yeah that's my friend Josh, he actually did it. Nice try tho ;D just going to have to deal with being wrong!
pelut espania

Big Wall climber
Espania
Jul 27, 2015 - 07:09pm PT
Amigos y American Dogs!

How you say, un dia late and un peso short! The route glory es all for Espania and the manz from Espania that make the A6 real for all American dogs!


Viva Espania!
GDavis

Social climber
SOL CAL
Jul 27, 2015 - 07:18pm PT
Old Bolt, No Bueno


This needs to be on a T Shirt.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
Jul 27, 2015 - 07:24pm PT
That could not have been a trivial effort Bivi! Thanks for the update.

Looking forward to the report and photos as well!
sharperblue

Mountain climber
San Francisco, California
Jul 27, 2015 - 07:28pm PT
My side hurts; I think I peed myself. The Taco just made up for at least six months of RonA posts
Jim Herson

climber
Emerald Hills, CA
Jul 28, 2015 - 09:27am PT
We applaud the effort. But we were disappointed to find a line of 1/4" (or 5/16"? we forget) button heads linking the left side of the remnants of the ledge (pitch 11) to the base of the 11c corner (pitch 12).

1/4" or 5/16" button heads aren't suitable for a very heavily traveled, beginner trade route. The Regular Route's original 1/4" gear has long since been replaced. The ASCA toils endlessly to rid our climbing areas of these ticking time bombs. Indeed, the climbing community is still reeling from the recent fatal 5/16" button head failure in Owens. Standard 3/8" should have been used to reestablish this iconic climb.

Also, the first two bolts are too far apart. They will quickly be sporting tattered slings.

-Jim
mucci

Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
Jul 28, 2015 - 09:56am PT
Only way that line of bolts was gonna be 3/8ths is with the use of a power drill.
Largo

Sport climber
The Big Wide Open Face
Jul 28, 2015 - 11:33am PT
It's easy enough to yard out the bolts and redrill bigger holes. How many bolts are there? I'm still not at all clear what the new line involves.

JL
JLP

Social climber
The internet
Jul 28, 2015 - 12:47pm PT
Awesome - so some fuking noobs went up there and made a mess. I predict more noobs will rush up there to "fix" it.
limpingcrab

Trad climber
the middle of CA
Jul 28, 2015 - 12:49pm PT

Only way that line of bolts was gonna be 3/8ths is with the use of a power drill.

Probably preaching to the choir but 3/8" with a hand drill is definitely doable. I suck at it and can get a 2 1/2" in hard granite in under half an hour.

Anyway, 3/8" would have been better but it doesn't seem like a big problem, those button heads will hold hundreds of climbers for years, right? Penty of time for an upgrade.

If option 1 is a bolt ladder for the masses I'm really curious about option two.

I doubt there was any way to do it without catching tons of crap.

Has anyone looked past the new stuff to see how sketchy the rest of those flakes are?
Don Paul

Big Wall climber
Denver CO
Jul 28, 2015 - 01:00pm PT
Awesome - so some fuking noobs went up there and made a mess.

That was my first thought, too. We even got Royal Robbins on here.
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
Jul 28, 2015 - 03:22pm PT
S#it! I know Josh. He's a great guy. Way to get on it. Bring on the TR!
CCT

Trad climber
Jul 28, 2015 - 06:35pm PT
Crossing my fingers that the bolt ladder was designed to work for people under 5'6" too.

MisterE

Gym climber
Being In Sierra Happy Of Place
Jul 28, 2015 - 08:23pm PT
We need Clint and Roger to verify the goings-on, IMO.
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Jul 28, 2015 - 10:38pm PT
I'm sure Jim's info is solid.
I'm still waiting for the trip report/photos.
I could guess that being up there for 3 days on the "gap section",
it was mostly work on the free version.
The aid ladder can be upgraded to 3/8" stainless in 1 day on the wall.
I agree with Will - it's much harder to pull 5/16", so I hope it's 1/4"!
If it's 5/16", Roger has a reaming tool which will handle the difficult task of enlarging the hole, once the bolt is pulled.
Bivi Brothers

Trad climber
Oceanside California
Jul 29, 2015 - 10:42am PT
Here is a hand drawn Topo to hold everyone over for now. Been working on a TR and should have it submitted tonight. The variation out right we did not successfully complete but investigated and decided this's is how it would probably go and be the new free variation!
As for the button head ladder and how that came about. You will have to wait for the TR. Sorry to keep you all in suspense!!
couchmaster

climber
Jul 29, 2015 - 10:50am PT
Thanks! Can't wait. Wish I'd got some pics of me sleeping on that ledge before it went all vapor.....

Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Jul 29, 2015 - 11:20am PT
Nice topo!
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Jul 29, 2015 - 11:30am PT
Thanks for the topo - very helpful. Looking forward to the trip report when you finish it.

[Edit:] The trip report is now up at:
http://www.supertopo.com/tr/Not-your-typical-Trip-Report-RNWF-of-Half-Dome/t12800n.html
k-man

Gym climber
SCruz
Jul 29, 2015 - 11:30am PT
Nothing says it quite like "Sketchy giant hanging death flake."

Looks like a blast...
BASE104

Social climber
An Oil Field
Jul 29, 2015 - 11:30am PT
How hard are any mandatory free moves? One of the best things about the route was that you could easily do it without doing anything harder than 5.9 A1. It was one of the greatest routes in the valley. Everybody did it at least once.

There used to be a flake in those chimneys above the P11 ledge. You had to undercling around it, and it was kind of spooky. I know that it later fell off, making it easier.

Anyway, did it look clean enough to resume trade route status? No dangerous loose stuff? The topo shows some sketchy loose stuff. I wonder if you could take a prybar and trundle them when nobody is below.

I hope it is still a route for the masses. Just think what would happen if part of the E. Butt or S-S fell off. Scratch them as must do's. That would be a shame.

In this case, I am hoping for bolt ladders to get you through the damaged area. Can't believe I'm for a bolt ladder, but this route is a classic and has been done thousands of times
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Jul 29, 2015 - 11:50am PT
I am hoping for bolt ladders to get you through the damaged area.
Did you look at the topo above?
It answers your questions. (except about the pry bar)
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Jul 31, 2015 - 09:59am PT
Nat Geo article on the face:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/150731-is-half-dome-too-dangerous/

I like this graphic:

survival

Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
Jul 31, 2015 - 10:17am PT
Holy schmoly!!
mucci

Trad climber
The pitch of Bagalaar above you
Jul 31, 2015 - 11:19am PT
Liberty Cap, the first reported major rock fall in Yos History.

36,000 M cubed

Edge

Trad climber
Betwixt and Between Nederland & Boulder, CO
Jul 31, 2015 - 11:21am PT
Rhodo-Router

Gym climber
sawatch choss
Jul 31, 2015 - 11:35am PT
Nice (uncharacteristically bland but informative) NatGeo writing from Bisharat!

Bonus points for managing to pack all of the following into one sentence: verb 'scale', 'vertical', 'unclimbable', and 'sheer'.
gstock

climber
Yosemite Valley
Jul 31, 2015 - 11:36am PT
That is a nice graphic (and I'm wondering why I never thought of putting a person in for scale!), but I should point out that it only shows a few of the largest recent rockfalls and is not a complete charting of the "Biggest rockfalls in Yosemite". For example, a 200,000 m3 rockfall occurred from Taft Point in 1857, a 185,000 m3 rockfall occurred from near Yosemite Falls in 1858, and a 100,000 m3 rockslide occurred at Cookie Cliff in 1982 (http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/746/ ). The 1996 Happy Isles rockfall was 30,000 m3.

Just wanted to make the point that large rockfalls similar to those shown in the graphic are more common than you might think.
gstock

climber
Yosemite Valley
Jul 31, 2015 - 11:57am PT
^^^^^

"(1) From Wieczorek et al. (1989): "The May 25 shock sent a rock fall from well up the sharp ridge between Sierra Point and Grizzly Peak, which after hitting the base of the slope proceeded southwesterly as a rock avalanche toward Happy Isles and seriously injured two hikers on the Sierra Point Trail. The 15-30 m wide rock avalanche severed the Sierra Point Trail several times, snapping off trees at their bases and obliterating the trail in a mass of boulders. Most of the rock avalanche stopped shortly before reaching the Nevada Fall Trail. Beyond this point a few large boulders ... bounced or rolled across the trail." (2) From Gilliam (1982): "Below Sierra Point, on the main Vernal Fall trail near Happy Isles, is the 60-ton boulder that cut a swath through the trees as it bounded down from the point in the May earthquake." (3) From Jim Snyder (written commun., January 1990): An earthquake-generated slide destroyed 70% of the Sierra Point Trail, seriously injuring two people. The rock fall came from the crest of the ridge between Sierra Point and Grizzly Peak. (4) From U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center (2004): An earthquake of M6.1 occurred at Mammoth Lakes, California, about 70 km east of Yosemite Valley at about 9 a.m. on 25 May 1980."
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Jul 31, 2015 - 03:45pm PT
The current correct split rating is 5.9 C2 or 5.12 A0 ,
assuming nothing significant changed in the pitches above the rockfall.
Kalimon

Social climber
Ridgway, CO
Jul 31, 2015 - 08:43pm PT
3.75 million cubic yards . . . holy shit!
ryankelly

Trad climber
Bhumi
Jul 31, 2015 - 09:23pm PT
The Flying Monkeys are dying. Half Dome is falling apart. And now this goofy ass trip report. So weird. I don't get it.
clinker

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
Aug 1, 2015 - 08:12am PT
We teenage Pinnacles climbers were incredulous when we broke our first hold in Yosemite on Peruvian Flake. Granite doesn't break. Our perspective of potential danger was quite a ways off from reality.
Highlife

Trad climber
California
Aug 4, 2015 - 01:09pm PT
This is an article which everyone should be reading.

http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web15x/newswire-half-dome-rnwf-likely-climbable
aldude

climber
Monument Manor
Aug 4, 2015 - 01:20pm PT
Clint....does this mean that the route no longer goes free?
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Aug 4, 2015 - 02:03pm PT
Al,
Yeah - a free alternative to the new bolt ladder has not been done yet, as far as I know.
Apparently there are cracks in the freshly broken area right of the bolt
ladder, but it could be hazardous to climb there until it's been tested for loose blocks.
from
http://www.supertopo.com/tr/Not-your-typical-Trip-Report-RNWF-of-Half-Dome/t12800n.html

from
http://www.climbingyosemite.com/portfolio/half-dome-rockfall/
cuvvy

Sport climber
arkansas
Aug 14, 2015 - 12:16pm PT
All sounds a bit hasty. Not the sharpest"tools" going up so early after you rockfall
Rhodo-Router

Gym climber
sawatch choss
Aug 25, 2015 - 06:06am PT
Slander thread deleted?

Oh, the humanity!
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