Permits On Yosemite's Half Dome

Starting this summer, hikers bound for Yosemite's Half Dome must purchase a permit first

If you've got dreams of tackling Yosemite's Half Dome on a spare weekend this summer, you'll need to get a permit first. In an effort to control crowds and make the popular climb safer, the National Park Service will begin requiring permits for weekend climbers on Half Dome.

Starting in May, only 400 climbers will get permits to tackle Half Dome (100 of these will be included in wilderness permits). Last year, climbers on peak days hovered somewhere in the neighborhood of 1,200, resulting in crowding, long waits, and fatal accidents. Manoj Kumar fell to his death in deteriorating conditions, and the following weekend, another woman took a spill and suffered serious injury.

Permits are available now and can be purchased for $1.50 online or by calling (877) 444-6777. One person can buy up to four permits, and every person attempting Half Dome must have one, or a ranger will turn you back.

—Ted Alvarez

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READERS COMMENTS

A system much more like what the AMC does for the lean-tos and campsites of the Hermit Lake management area (on Mt. Washington) makes a heck of a lot more sense. Want a permit? SHOW UP IN PERSON. That will keep the permit squatting to a minimum, and allow them to dynamically allocate permits BASED ON CONDITIONS which will increase safety and enjoyment for all (including the rescue/cleanup crews).
It does mean that one needs to be on their toes to get that coveted slot they want, but we want people to PLAN AHEAD a little and KEEP SEVERAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE don't we?!
Posted: Feb 04, 2010 RvnPhnx

i�ve done half dome twice, both times encountered mild crowds (about an hour�s wait to get on the cables, and another hour to actually ascend). We don�t need a permit system, especially not the one that has just been put in place. You know what�s going to happen? As soon as the free (for $1.50 LOL) permits are available, the NPS website and phonelines will be bombarded, with each person grabbing as many permits as they can (up to 4 per person). In my hiking circles, i often don�t know how many will be hiking with me as late as a few days before the hike, much less MONTHS in advance. So what will guys like me do? Lock up as many permits as possible, even if some eventually go unused. You will see 300 permits purchased (excuse me, obtained for free for $ 1.50 LOL again.. too funny), and about 100 actually used. IF THEY MUST HAVE A PERMIT SYSTEM (and i debate that point� 2 deaths and 1 serious injury out of 168,000 people over 2 years? that�s ridiculously SAFE for the level of risk) they should allocate more like 1,000 or 2,000 per day. THEN they will actually see their desired number of 400 fortunate hikers able to summit that day. GRRRRR� the whole thing just frustrates me.
Posted: Feb 03, 2010 david s

Regulating this will be pretty easy. They've signaled their intent to station a ranger during the permit days at the subdome area. Unless one is a technical climber, that's the only way up there. I suppose it won't be 24 hours, but the worry about crowding is during morning to late afternoon.
Posted: Feb 02, 2010 y_p_w

Permits are not available until March 1st.
Posted: Feb 02, 2010 Debbie Hendricks

good luck regulating this.....
Posted: Feb 02, 2010 scarver