Half Dome via Snake Dike, American Wet Dream
May 27, 28, 2012
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Memorial day was supposed to be a 3-day rafting trip, but with complicated logistics, several people bailing, and an iffy weather forecast, we called it off. Instead we went to Yosemite again with our friend Shannon, who had never rock climbed before, ever! On Saturday it snowed and rained all day, so we drove around, hiked, and slacklined a bit in the evening (or rather, fell off the slackline!) On Sunday we went to do Snake Dike, hoping the snow & rain the day before would keep the crowds away. Sadly that didn't help and we had two extremely slow parties in front - we eventually passed them via a variation I did to the right... phew. What an awesome climb for beginners! Being on top of Half Dome, of course, is a big part of the cool factor too.

On the third day of the long weekend, Tuolumne was in the cards - we climbed American Wet Dream, a fun climb right next to the road. The descent was running with water and quite sketchy, but we took it very slow.

  Saturday it rained all day! Half Dome during a small clearing window from Glacier Point! Going there tomorrow!  
  Saturday it rained all day! Half Dome during a small clearing window from Glacier Point! Going there tomorrow!

   
 

  The approach slabs to Snake Dike First pitch crux of Snake Dike (actually you downclimb after placing pro and traverse left)  
  The approach slabs to Snake Dike First pitch crux of Snake Dike (actually you downclimb after placing pro and traverse left)

  Other climbers on Snake Dike  
  Other climbers on Snake Dike

  Shannon on her first climb ever! Second pitch of Snake Dike  
  Shannon on her first climb ever! Second pitch of Snake Dike

  Giants salute The dike is cool - that's what the climb is named after... Topping out  
  Giants salute The dike is cool - that's what the climb is named after... Topping out

  3rd class slabs on the top The team on top!  
  3rd class slabs on the top The team on top!

  Friends on top of Half Dome!  
  Friends on top of Half Dome!

   
 

  Panorama from Half Dome Beautiful view!  
  Panorama from Half Dome Beautiful view!

  Chubby marmot. Coming down the cables Cables madness on the way down  
  Chubby marmot. Coming down the cables Cables madness on the way down

   
 

  Liberty Bell with Half Dome in the background American Wet Dream, 5.10b pitch  
  Liberty Bell with Half Dome in the background American Wet Dream, 5.10b pitch

  Pywiack Dome and Cathedral Peak, with a cool cloud The 4th pitch  
  Pywiack Dome and Cathedral Peak, with a cool cloud The 4th pitch

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