Thinking About Hiking Half Dome? Here’s Something You Won’t Want to Miss

Although the cables up Half Dome are getting ready to come down for the season it’s the perfect time to lose a few pounds and start getting in shape to make the trek next year.

Rick Deutsch, author of One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome, sent me an email to let me know he’s going to be teaching an introductory class at DeAnza College in Cupertino, CA on Oct 20th 2007.

The class is 3 hours long and geared to help both novice and experienced hikers get develop the technique as well as build their skills for longer hikes like the one to the top of Half Dome.

The course is divided into two sections. Section one of the class will center on the basics of hiking: preparation, equipment, water treatment, etc.. Section two focuses on the hike with tips on conditioning both mentally and physically, how to mitigate problems on the trail and confidence building.

For more information on the course check out the Foothill-DeAnza Community College IMPACT Short Course catalog website at:

http://www.communityeducation.fhda.edu/shortcourses.html

Look for TRIP 601.S1: A Hiker’s Guide: From Your First Steps to Half Dome. Sign-up is only $39 plus a $15 materials fee.

Even if you’re not planning on taking the course I do recommend at least grabbing Rick’s book (One Best Hike: Yosemite’s Half Dome). If you’re semi-seriously thinking about hiking to the top of Half Dome this is the book you’ll want in your pack with you. It’s full of great information and tips that will not only get you to the top but make it an enjoyable trip as well.