172353 -
172354 -
172356 - ..
172357 - Crossing the roadway bridge over the Merced river noticed 2 hikers
172358 - about 50 yards behind, with headlamps bobbing along.
172359 -
172361 - ..
172362 - On the Internet there is...
172364 - ..
172365 - Map Trail to Half Dome Hike
172366 -
172367 - Follow up ref SDS A2 UM6J, ref SDS 85 UM6J.
172368 -
172369 - http://www.everytrail.com/guide/half-dome-hike/map#poi-13
172370 -
172372 - ..
1724 -
1725 -
1726 - 0630
1727 -
172701 - Trailhead 1st Mile Paved Path to Wood Bridge Took 30 Minutes
172702 - Paved Path 1st Mile to Vernal Falls Foot Bridge from Trailhead
172703 -
172704 - Follow up ref SDS A2 WX5M, ref SDS 85 WX5M.
172705 -
172706 - The first mile of the Mist trail from the trailhead to the Wood Bridge
172707 - is paved and quite steep, grade 7% - 10% winding along the North side
172708 - of the Merced river gourge. Noticed about .25 miles up, the 2
172709 - headlamps following still around 50 yards back. Further up over
172710 - halfway to the bridge, at the long flat section for resting and
172711 - viewing, did not see the 2 trailing hikers, indicating they quit and
172712 - returned to the Valley.
172714 - ..
172715 - About the halfway point, no longer needed headlamp, because it became
172716 - light enough to see the paved road.
172718 - ..
172719 - Took about 49 minutes with 2 or 3 rest stops on the steep Mist trail,
172720 - to reach the Wood Bridge after leaving Curry Village (0605 - 0654 =
172721 - 49), about the same as last year on 190911 0500, ref SDS B6 J13H, and
172722 - similar to the year before on 180912 0545. ref SDS A2 J13H
172724 - ..
172725 - Very pleased the backpack was not a noticable burden. Could likely
172726 - have carried other essentials without impacting the hike.
172728 - ..
172729 - There are 2 water fountains and 2 water spouts for filling water
172730 - bottles. This is the last running water service for next 10+ hours.
172731 - There is a building for a Ranger Station and restrooms at Nevada
172732 - Falls, but no tap water.
172734 - ..
172735 - Drank at the Wood Bridge, but did not fill the water bottle in order
172736 - to reduce weight to carry up the steep Mist trail to Vernal Falls, and
172737 - then to Nevada Falls. Plan to fill the filtered water bottle at the
172738 - Merced River above Nevada Falls, and into Little Yosemite Valley.
172739 - This will provide enough water to reach the "Little Stream" before
172740 - the Sub Dome switchbacks, where the water bottle can be fliied again
172741 - for the final ascent to the top of Half Dome.
172743 - ..
172744 - Took a picture showing no other hikers at Wood Bridge...
172745 -
172746 -
172748 - 
172749 -
172751 - ..
172752 - It is very unuaual not to see other hikers on the Wood Bridge at 0700
172753 - in the morning.
172754 -
172755 -
172756 -
172758 - ..
172759 - Vernal Falls Took John Muir Trail Flatter Wider than Mist Trial
172760 - John Muir Trail Flatter Wider than Mist Trial to Vernal Falls
172761 -
172762 - Follow up ref SDS A2 6Q97, ref SDS 85 6Q97.
172763 -
172764 - After crossing the bridge, the South side trail changes markedly for
172765 - the remaining .7 miles up to Vernal Falls. A hundred feet or so past
172766 - the bridge the trail divides at "Register Rock P." The Mist trail hugs
172767 - the vertical cliff of the Merced river gourge. A sign identifies the
172768 - trailhead for the flatter and longer John Muir Trail (JMT) also to
172769 - Vernal Falls, and on up to Half Dome.
172771 - ..
172772 - Yosemite sent a letter about 4 weeks ago, advising that crews will be
172773 - making repairs to the trail between the junction with JMT and Vernal
172774 - Falls, reported on 200831 1953. ref SDS C5 CX6M Today, there was a
172775 - sign saying the Mist trail above this point is closed for
172776 - construction.
172778 - ..
172779 - Took longer, flatter John Muir Trial (JMT).
172781 - ..
172782 - Noticed sky seems to be getting hazier.
172784 - ..
172785 - This trail is mostly flatter, 4% - 7% grade, and so takes less energy
172786 - than the Mist trail from the trailhead to the Wood Bridge, with mostly
172787 - 7% - 10% grade, cited above. ref SDS 0 WX5M Today, was hiking this
172788 - easily, without stopping to rest, since the grade is similar to hills
172789 - on daily hikes at home.
172791 - ..
172792 - After a mile or so of switchbacks, noticed pain level 1 in right foot
172793 - due to rugged, uneven footing on JMT. Irregular mountain footing has
172794 - higher impact on feet, knees and hips than hiking smooth, asphalt
172795 - roadways at home. Brought gabapentin and oxycodone for pain
172796 - management, but only enough to take twice, usually on the way down
172797 - from Half Dome, after reaching the bottom of the Sub Dome, reported
172798 - last year on 190911 0500. ref SDS B6 OI3K Take a 2nd oxycodone
172799 - several hours later at Nevada Falls, and before descending down JMT to
172800 - the Wood Bridge and back to Curry Village, also reported last year on
172801 - 190911 0500. ref SDS B6 5S4I So, didn't really want to take pain
172802 - medication at this time, because need to save for later.
172804 - ..
172805 - Continuing up the trail, began coughing. Noticed the sky seemed
172806 - hazier than before. Realized it had become more difficult to see the
172807 - surrounding cliffs. Checked air quality application on the cellphone,
172808 - which Doctor Lee installed during EGD on 200908 0930. ref SDS C6 ES6O
172809 - It read 150 - "Very Unhealthy." This was significant increase from
172810 - 104, starting the hike at 0600, per above. ref SDS 0 OP3F
172812 - ..
172813 - Was fortunate ischemic colitis did not flare up from hiking during
172814 - rising adverse air quality, cited by Doctor Lee on 200908. This may
172815 - indicate full recovery, but continuing the hike with worsening air
172816 - quality could risk recurrence.
172818 - ..
172819 - Decided to end the hike to Half Dome nearing the turn off for Vernal
172820 - Falls, and about halfway to Nevada Falls. Adverse air quality may get
172821 - worse. Previously, hiking in these conditions caused severe loss of
172822 - energy, related in part to still recovering from 4 heart procedures
172823 - this year, discussed with Doctor Lee on 200908 0930. ref SDS C6 NM4J
172825 - ..
172826 - Another concern is Lindsey getting injured, and so unable to hike
172827 - today, reported yesterday on 200929 0840. ref SDS D1 RY5L Besides
172828 - chatting along the way, she ensures stops to drink (stay hydrated) and
172829 - eat for energy. Equally, she provides security against risk of
172830 - injury, as occurred on 150916 0535. ref SDS 66 O87H Since have not
172831 - encountered other hikers so far, seem to be alone, on a dangerous
172832 - trail high in the mountains.
172834 - ..
172835 - All these risks add up to ending the hike, before adversity reaches
172836 - critical mass in an overwhelming calamity.
172838 - ..
172839 - Hiking Half Dome the past 7 years, is an annual medical metric of
172840 - physical and neuroligical function now at age 75, having suffered a
172841 - growing list of maladies...
172843 - ..
172844 - Medical Issues Mile-long
172845 -
172846 - Rosacia
172847 - Atherosclerosis
172848 - Quadruple heart bypass surgery (CABG x4)
172849 - Achalasia swallowing deficit
172850 - Heller Myotomy surgery relieve achalasia
172851 - EGD dilation monthly procedures treat achalasia
172852 - Osteroarthrisis both knees
172853 - MCL tear right knee twice
172854 - Metatarsalgia both feet
172855 - Long toe right foot nearly amputated
172856 - PRP injection treatments - 12 so far
172857 - Plantar plate tear right foot
172858 - BPPV dizziness - multiple treatments past 4 years
172859 - Hematoma wound left leg fall hiking Half Dome 150916
172860 - Wrists sprained from fall hiking Half Dome 150916.
172861 - Tailor's bunions both feet
172862 - Peripheral neurotherapy right foot
172863 - Stroke after EGD procedure - 160617
172864 - Vehicle driving off cliff 65 MPH - multiple injuries - 170905
172865 - Right trapezius muscle strain and pull in back
172866 - Hematoma wound left leg again car crash 170905
172867 - Carpel Tunnel Syndrome right wrist using computer mouse
172868 - Left Elbow sprain doing pushups
172869 - Lipoma tumor back
172870 - Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
172871 - Acute resperatory distress symdrome (ARDS)
172872 - Coronary pain
172873 - Catheter IV Ultrasound Angiogram
172874 - Blood vessels completely clear 11 years after CABG x4 - stenosos 0%
172875 - Cath Lab IVUS Stent blocked branch artery likely unnecessary
172876 - Catheter Cardiac ablation left atrial - 100+ burns
172877 - Atrial flutter right atrial
172878 - Cardiac ablation right atrial - < 50 burns
172879 - Ischemic colitis
172881 - ..
172882 - Results today, while less definitive than reaching the top of Half
172883 - Dome 2 years ago on 180912 0545, ref SDS A2 0001, indicate decline
172884 - from sarcopenia (aging) seems deferred. Infirmities can be treated to
172885 - maintain high level functionality, in this case by the VA Medical
172886 - Center in San Francisco.
172888 - ..
172889 - People can help doctors prevent decline from aging. Hiking the past 7
172890 - years, increased HDL 30, which required heart surgery - CABG x4 in
172891 - 2009, to HDL > 60, that prevents atherosclerosis by regressing plaque.
172892 - On 200124, 11 years after heart bypass, doctors found blood vessels
172893 - completely clear, with stenosis 0%. ref SDS C0 ME8G This year, hiking
172894 - overcame paroxysmal atrial fibrillation that began in December, and
172895 - required 4 heart procedures. Hiking aided recovery, and maintains
172896 - health and vitality into advancing years. The time required to reach
172897 - the Wood Bridge, equalling prior Half Dome hikes, per above,
172898 - ref SDS 0 J39M, and ease hiking the John Muir Trail, indicate hiking
172899 - the past 9 months has been significantly therapeutic, shown in case
172900 - study on 200101 0701. ref SDS B9 U26K
172901 -
172902 -
172903 -
172905 - ..
172906 - Hiking Back to Wood Bridge and to Curry Village
172907 -
172908 - Follow up ref SDS A2 SW44, ref SDS 85 SW44.
172909 -
172910 - Hiked 2 miles downhill back to the Wood Bridge.
172912 - ..
172913 - Reaching the Wood Bridge, called Kathy. Explained decision to end
172914 - hike halfway to Nevada Falls, per above. ref SDS 0 SV7O Will meet at
172915 - Curry Village for returning to Yosemite Lodge. Can checkout, before
172916 - 1000, saving cost of the room today, and tomorrow.
172918 - ..
172919 - Called Lindsey and left message about ending hike. Hope her foot
172920 - heals up soon. Explained likely would have had to end hike, even if
172921 - she was hiking today, because of increasing adverse air quality.
172922 - Thanked her for taking time to meet yesterday, to discuss plans for
172923 - today, reported on 200929 0840. ref SDS D1 PTQV
172925 - ..
172926 - Continued hike 1 mile down the paved Mist trail to the trailhead, and
172927 - then .25 mile path to Happy Ise Loop road. Instead of turning South
172928 - and hiking the mile back to Curry Village, turned right and hiked
172929 - around longer North end of the loop, but eventually leading back to
172930 - Curry Village. This added 2 - 3 miles, making the hike today 10
172931 - miles.
172932 -
172933 -
172934 -
173705 -
173706 -
173707 -
173708 -
173709 -
173710 -
173711 -
173712 -
173713 -
1738 -