The Mousepods' Yosemite Trip

[Alex]

The first time we did Half Dome (via the Mist Trail) the fall was in full force which was nice because once we reached the top we were in blazing sun for most of the rest of the day.

This day we encountered something that put everything in perspective. We're huffing and puffing away and wondering if we can actually make it up there when this guy comes running by. This man was the perfect physical specimen. All he is wearing is running shorts, shoes, and sunglasses. Friends who were ahead of us ran into him at the top of Half Dome and talked to him. Turns out that once a month he does the run from the valley floor to the top of Half Dome. Just for fun. Our friends said he did the final dome climb at full speed and never touched the cable.

The second time was during that unexpected snow storm a couple years ago that killed a couple mountain climbers who froze to death stranded on cliff faces. We were hiking in shorts and t-shirts and it started to snow just as we hit the top. That was a thrilling hike back. To compensate the falls were so low I don't think we even got misted on the Mist Trail.