Half Dome Hike

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands  ~ Psalm 19:1

My friends and I attempted to hike the famous Yosemite Half Dome this past weekend. It is one of the most beautiful and popular hike, that the National Park Service has to issue permit on lottery system to limit the traffic. 

Last year, my brother got in for July the 4th weekend, but our group ended up not going because of bad weather. This year, I was the one who got the lottery and the weather is absolutely perfect for the hike. 

We started driving to Yosemite around 10 pm at night. We arrived around 2.30 am and started walking in the dark using flashlight. The dawn breaks at around 5.30 am when we are just past Nevada falls. We reached the bottom of the dome around 9.45 am. 

The dome

For me, the cable is the scariest part of the trip. The rock was so steep, my foot don't always have a good footage to support my weight and to lift it up. That means my arms has to do most of the work pulling my body up, which I am not very used to. There's about three steps from each bar, some of the bars are easier than others. I really have to learn to do in one bar at a time, be patient and take my time. 

On top of the dome

Look how small I am compare to the vast valley. I don't know what to feel once I reached the top. Maybe because it was so tiring climbing the dome. I thought I would be overwhelmed with emotions, but truth is, I was very sober. I am very grateful that I made it safely to the top, but that was it. 

Honestly, the part I enjoyed the most was the journey itself, not necessarily the top of mountain experience. I enjoyed walking in the dark, where I can only see a couple feet down the road at a time, while hearing the sound of waterfalls. I enjoyed seeing the breaking of the dawn, when the sky slowly brightens up and change colors. I enjoyed hearing the birds singing in the morning. I remember telling myself over and over again, one step at a time. 

I am humbled to be reminded to enjoy the little things on the journey in life, not to rush to certain destination, which I've been doing these days. There are thoughts like, "If only I reached this or accomplished that", yet once I reached those points, it wasn't what I expected them to be and I completely missed the lessons God has for me in the mundane and dailiness of life. 

Right before I left for Half Dome, I started my own hymn book, recording hymns that blessed my heart and helped me along the journey when life seems hard. This is the hymn that's been playing in my head as I walk each step to the top of the mountain (and as my feet were cramping in the middle of climbing that cable!) O how sweet indeed to walk in this pilgrim way, while leaning on His everlasting arms that keeps me safe and secure from all alarms =)

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.