20.07 Yosemite: Half Dome frustration, the climb is closed for winter.
Jen stands on an edge of North Dome; Half Dome in the background. Jenni coming down one of the channels as we head for the dome. (Extreme 'Woodson potato chip' on left.) We arrived at North Dome after 4.5 miles over a trail that moved up and down throughout the hike. It included climbing over rocks as well as our usual extras on said boulders. After three miles, the famous Half Dome came into view as well as many other fine sights of Yosemite. North Dome, somewhat lower than the major icon, stood proudly, too. There’s a history to this icon of Yosemite. The hike, with the final 400 feet on chains to the top, is so popular that a lottery is held to limit the number of participants. We failed to secure spots for the hike a while ago so we found ourselves gazing at the outcrop from North Dome, separated by the Yosemite Valley thousands of feet below. Currently, the hike is closed for the winter season—apparently, the dome takes its vacation in the off-sea...