I’m definitely climbing half dome. Do people carry water up with them? If so, how?
I don’t have an easy way to carry water up and am looking methods that don’t add substantial pack weight (I’m a gram weenie). I obviously don’t want to tote my pack up and I need to have both hands free…suggestions?
Bueller…Bueller…
Ed
No brilliant suggestions. I used a fanny pack for the trip, so it was easy to just use that. This is really simple but seriously you might want to just buy one bottle of water in a size small enough that you can fit it in your pocket. Like a 1/2 liter plastic bottle of water from a gas station.
markv
Are you starting from the valley floor or from the backcountry?
There is good spring right on the trail soon after the JMT junction and less than 2 miles from the summit. If you are coming down from the back country, there is also water on the JMT near the junction to the Cloud’s Rest trail.
If you are hiking from the Valley, I would recommend getting up as early as possible to start the hike (4am). Even better is camping overnight in the backcountry (you’ll need a permit) the night before. In either case, your goal is to get to the cables at the base of Half-Dome as early as possible. It gets very crowded later in the morning (as in you might have to wait in line to get on the cables). Climbing the cables is a bit of a physical and mental challenge and I think it is easier with fewer people around.
A 1/2 liter plastic water bottle doesn’t seem like enough to me. It is 17+ miles round trip from the valley and over 5,000 feet of elevation change. Be prepared! I’d also recommend a pair of gloves to use on the cables. There is a pile of gloves at the start of the cables from previous hikers but you might feel better using a pair that you brought along.
If you are hiking down from Tuolumne, I’d recommend going over Cloud’s Rest for a fantastic 360 degree view of Yosemite.
Radar
Having hiked this last summer in the heat, and watching numerous people have trouble because they were unprepared, I have to say it. BRING LOTS of water. The last available water is still several miles from the summit of half-dome, and the last stretches of trail have no shade. I used part of my camelback supply to replenish a young person’s one small, empty water bottle. Many people were having dehydration issues because they were not prepared. Find a fanny pack, (my big pack has a top pouch that is removable to use as fanny pack, and I loaded it with my Camelback), a small pack, or something…but don’t compromise such a great hike by going in unprepared. I hope you enjoy it…there is nothing quite like it.
TJHolyoke
Definitely bring water. I’m assuming you are planning to climb Half Dome as part of your JMT trip. If so, you definitely won’t want to carry an extra fanny pack just for the Half Dome climb and you won’t want to carry your entire pack either. Some packs have a removable lid that doubles as a fanny pack (even my light Granite Gear pack has this feature) … if yours does, that would be the easiest solution. If not, you might just try putting a watter bottle or Camelback water bladder in a stuff sack and wear the stuff sack over your shoulder messenger bag style. Enjoy your hike!
Kanga
I bought this bag for my upcoming JMT hike this Sept to use as a day bag for various side trips. It is very simple, very light and should work well.
Etowah Outfitters Town Sack
http://www.mountaingearnow.com/home.php?type=product&id=97581
Its the lightest thing I know of for this purpose.
weez
I wore a belt, stashed my large backpack in my tent. Set my bear can aside also. On my belt I carabeaned a a nalgene, a camera. I also wore a hat. Be sure to use rubber gloves, not the leather.
Peg
The 1/2-liter bottle suggestion was because it sounds like Ed is doing Half Dome as a detour from the JMT. I meant it as just what to carry for the detour itself. It’s only a couple miles from the JMT junction and water to the top of Half Dome, even if you don’t search for the spring.
markv
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Markv, I don’t know how you find the time to respond so much. Many thanks. I know I’m not the only one who has benefited from your advice.
I’ll be at Little Yosemite Valley campground the night before. Getting there early will not be a problem.
Alas, I will not be carrying a belt and do not have pockets on my shorts…I can’t afford pockets 
An extra item is required and I must say that stuff sack looks promising. Very light. I wonder how durable it is. Thanks Weez.
Repeat after me…I must stop buying more gear!
Ed
Ed -
When are you starting the trail? My trip starts on August 1st (going up Half Dome early on Aug. 2)
Crimson
Aug 19. The understatement of the year is to say that I’m excited. The last 2 days of my trip will be spent in Vegas.
ed
When I did Half Dome, I dropped my pack and my partner watched our belongings while I went up to the summit. I cameled up before hand, and did not bring up any water. Only my camera, which this nice young man dropped while taking a picture of me on the summit. I snagged it just before it fell off the slick granite into Yosemite Valley. :eek:
Have a great trip! And drink plenty of water! That’ll help you acclimate to the elevation gain.
Jeffrey Hunter
I think I ened up using my rain jacket as a kind of fanny pack. I zipped it up and wrapped the sleeves around my waste. I’m sure I looked dorky but if it had rained, well…
As for how much water, it depends ont he weather. I didnt find the climb that strenuous and I seem tot remebe rthere being a sizable straeam towards the top right before you start the cable climb. But do fill up on the valley floor before heading up.
jalan jalan