Coming into Yosemite Valley. Other hard climbers scoping out routes with us.
Hitting the trail early morning. So early even my camera was too tired to focus.
A look at our route up South Face of Half-dome (far right, above trees).
Eric getting fired up for climbing.
"Really, more posing for photos?"
"Hmm, jeans weren't such a great idea."
First ever trail cairn in a tree.
Praise the Buddha...er, I guess it is actually just Matt.
"Yo, which way to the Half-dome thing?"
"So, you come here often?"
Trails starts to get interesting.
Face of Half-Dome from lower diving board.
Looking off the lower diving board.
Top of first pitch. Eric rounding overhang, Matt half way up.
Mountain Matt.
Traversing out at start of pitch 2.
Looking up to the party in front of us on the dike. Long way to go still.
Eric and Matt heating up on the dike.
Big time dyno move (note Matt's worried expression).
Whew, made it.
Do not try this at home.
Leading up pitch 4 (or 5?).
"Man, is there a bolt or a cam placement around here somewhere?"
Yosemite Hardmen...?
Again, do not try this at home.
Eric heading out with lots of dike to go.
Way up on the dike. Party following (never actually saw them top out).
Hard to beat this view from a belay (Yosemite Valley with El Cap off in the distance).
Eric rounding off to the top of roped portion of climb.
As route topo states, "endless 3rd class to the top."
Still hiking to top.
Top of Half-dome.
Lots of snow still up in Tuolomne.
Eric and Matt getting to start of hike down (cables there, but not put up yet for the season).
Eric descending cables.
View of Half-dome...oh, now I get the name.
Almost back to valley. Matt showing how his giant back muscles ripped through his technical expedition t-shirt.
