Climbing Yosemite’s Half Dome cables as the sun rises is one of those memories that stays with me, and as June comes around, the experience draws me back. Do you know how the lyrics and beats of a song get ingrained in your mind? That’s what summiting Half Dome’s cables is like: first light of yellow and orange glow dances amid a widening sea of blue skies with puffs of dream-like clouds passing by, the fresh smell of alpine mountain air and pine scent, feel the cold touch of granite. All these senses can only be a draw of nostalgia to return again.
Tim Pham, Wilderness permit applicant