I'd like to get into the mind of ordinary visitors to Yosemite Valley and get other's inputs on what inner maybe subtle motivations were behind their desire to hike to the top of Half Dome. Speculations on why? Here I'm talking about before the current quota system was put in place since obviously people cannot at a whim just take off anymore from their riverside campspot in the morning after eating Mom's bacon. And here I'm not talking about climbing and peak baggers on this forum as many of us are hard core enthusiasts that have developed deep meanings, feelings, and skills about engaging in their sport. But rather those who infrequently visit our mountains and come here as novices often with modest hiking experience. Well actually maybe for some of you Half Dome was your first real peak and that fired your enthusiasm to become a climber?
Some decided to take up the Half Dome challenge before they got here maybe because they talked about it with friends or traded web postings with others that have done so and caught onto to an excitement others were projecting on the challenge. And others after getting here, meeting people about the valley and at campgrounds, and reading information in brochures etc suddenly decided to have a go at it too. Why was it such an attractive challenge despite the fact most had probably seen the ridiculous pictures of people back to back on the cable section? The total mileage and vertical is considerable so one doesn't just decide to do it say like hiking to Nevada Falls. It isn't like Half Dome is the only difficult challenging hike from the Valley Floor. Yosemite Falls, Four Mile Trail, Panorama Dome to Glacier Point are a few of the obvious other hikes that get a few participants every day. In comparison those going up to Half Dome were legion, and day after day, week after week. Maybe because it had become an IN thing to do...if one was up to it? Maybe there is a tendency for many ordinary people to want to hike in a big parade, be scared to death grabbing up the cables with like others back to back, and arrive at the top to join a big mob much like people like to go to sporting events and take part in the stadium atmosphere? What else?
http://www.davidsenesac.com
David