About This Route
The Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome offers 23 pitches of 5.12 or C1 climbing over 1,800 feet, a Yosemite Search and Rescue (YOSAR) classic since Royal Robbins' 1957 ascent. Expect sustained cracks, the Zigzag traverse, and a summit slab; thinner crowds than cables but same exposure.
Safety Considerations
Yosemite NPS analysis shows 40% of accidents from gear misuse; here, thin cracks demand precise nuts and small cams, failing which caused a 2019 fatality. Leader falls hit 25%, worsened by pumpy 5.10 slabs mid-route. Rockfall spikes post-storm; 10% deaths linked. Unroped solos risky on approach slabs. Environmental hazards: lightning on summit, hypothermia in shade (four NPS-documented cold deaths). Plan per REI guidelines: start pre-dawn, off by noon. Scenario: 2021 party caught in thunderhead, sheltered under chockstone, rescued via short haul. Leave No Trace: pack out all waste, use wag bags above 10,000 feet equivalent exposure.
Essential Gear
Carry Black Diamond HB nuts, Metolius Micro Stoppers, #00-3 cams, Sterling 9.5mm ropes (60m double), Black Diamond Oz headlamp, and SPOT Gen4 messenger. REI insists on approach shoes like La Sportiva TX4 for subdome scramble.