July 18-19, 2008
At 11pm this small band of 8 started out to climb Half Dome. Shabbat ShaDome is what we decided to call ourselves. After all it was a Friday night. We had our Shabbat Dinner prior to the 2 hour drive to the trailhead in Yosemite Valley. Shabbat ShaDome became a phrase that proved to be very valuable on many occasions as minor separations in the darkness became frequent.
11pm might seem like a strange time to starts a hike, but this night was filled with light coming from the full moon. Often flashlights weren't even needed as parts of the trail were illuminated. All senses were heightened and anticipation of what we would see the next morning were only enhanced as we felt the mist from Vernal Falls and heard the water crashing down as we hiked the many steps past Nevada Falls.
The tail was by no means deserted. Many others were venturing out into the darkness to accomplish the same goal: to see the sunrise from the top of Half Dome.
As for many of us, this was our first time hiking Half Dome. Only one or two in the group really understood what the last mile of the trail involved. However the last 400 feet of the trail were familiar to us all by the stories that have been passed down.
As we reached mile 7 out of 8.2, the mental gymnastics had already been at play. The challenge only got deeper as more and more steps had to be climbed on what seemed like endless switchbacks.
Fortunately, even at night the end was in sight. The ever motivating factor was picturesque. Right next to Half Dome, the full moon reflected the suns light with great intensity in the clear night sky. Our final path was shown to us by all that forged ahead.
The infamous cable climb was on the shadow side of the Dome. Each head lamp became a small beacon of light. For those climbing the light was vital, but for those who were trying to muster up the energy to get there the lighted path became a source of inspiration.
At 4:13am, fatigue was setting in strong but the drive to make it to the top before sunrise was even stronger.
After finding the perfect set of gloves, the assent began while carefully planting each foot on the granite and consciously gripping and holding on to each cable. The movement of people became methodical as we each strategized how far we could go before we could take a small break on a plank.
Our goal was reached with what seemed to be perfect timing. Light was just beginning to break the horizon. Hundreds sat at the top ready to take it in.
Sleep tugged at
many. Eye lids became heavy. For me, sleep was not an option. I knew that sleep at this point would be more harmful than good. There was too much to behold as the sun finally revealed itself and
exposed all that the darkness was hiding.
A second wind had arrived for me. The motivation to hike down had begun. For other members of Shabbat ShaDome, the energy and motivation was not as easily found.
The descent down the cables proved to be challenging in a much different
way than anticipated. Very few times on the hike up did we encounter people coming down. This was not the case on the way down. The same cables had to be used in both directions; waiting became the new, frequent challenge.
Muscle cruise control soon took over my legs as we retraced our steps from only a few hours before. Stops were too frequent for my liking but rest was needed for many.
The same trail was now so different as we got to see our complete surroundings for the first time. Parts of the trail where we got lost or turned around during the night now seemed silly and very easy to find. We passed more and more people as the trail head got closer and closer. Nevada 
and Vernal Falls (as seen only from a distance. Refer to The Hikes entry) were even more beautiful then I had imagined.
The valley was crawling with people and at points I felt like I had somehow taken a wrong turn and landed in an amusement park. The peacefulness of the night hike had been transformed with the daylight.
Irritability was setting in as hours without sleep were way past the 24 mark. Still our legs kept moving and finally the car was reached.
My body was finally given a chance to rest but sleep would not come until we got back to camp. I didn't have the energy to drive but I still needed to give the driver directions.
Seven miles from camp, the driver pulled over the car for a pit stop. I crawled out of the car trying to get my joints to move while at the same time not surprised at all at how stiff they were. My only motivation was the one thing I had been craving the whole hike down. Ben and Jerry finally came to my rescue.
The last spoonful of my glorious pint was eaten just as we passed through the gate and drove into camp. As I savored my last bite and thought about this great adventure that had only started 18 hours ago, all I could say to myself was "I can't believe we did it."
When I arrived back in Indiana, I was a bit surprised to find that you were now living in the backyard. I will never forget the day that Lynette told me she was going to give you away. I, like everyone else, was completely shocked by the declaration. I never thought I would see the day. I knew there had to be a good reason for her to do something like that. And there was.
