How to Climb Half Dome with the Cables Down (Gear List, Skills Tutorial, and Tips!)

There is more than one way to climb the Half Dome cables, and it can be safer when they are down rather than up - but only with the right gear and skills. Here I go over the best gear I've found for climbing Half Dome with the cables down, as well as how to use it correctly to keep you (and others) safe. Get your "Go Climb a Cable" swag below! "Go Climb a Cable" Swag: T-Shirts, Hoodies, Mugs, etc. - https://backcountrypilgrim.creator-spring.com/listing/go-climb-a-cable-half-dome-s?product=2 MY SETUP GEAR LIST: GLOVES: Mad Grip F100 Pro Palm Knuckler (OOP: Carhartt Substitute) - https://amzn.to/4unBxXP SHOES: Topo Pursuit (Zero-Drop, Wide toe box, Vibram Sole) - https://amzn.to/3T1fS6b HARNESS: Black Diamond Momentum - https://amzn.to/4bzX0VY FRICTION ATTACHMENT: Cord (Loop): Rock-N-Rescue 8mm Sewn Prusik Loop (24") - https://amzn.to/3ZylpVz FRICTION ATTACHMENT: Sling (Static): Mammut Contact Sling Dyneema 8.0 (60cm / 24") - https://rei.pxf.io/09Xa93 FRICTION ATTACHMENT: Carabiner (Locking): Black Diamond Liteforge Screwgate - https://amzn.to/3It8rOV FRICTION ATTACHMENT: Carabiner (Regular): Black Diamond LiteWire Carabiner - https://rei.pxf.io/XmZx0X BACKUP ANCHOR: Sling (Dynamic): Beal Dynaloop 8.3mm (60cm) - https://rei.pxf.io/OeoAeA BACKUP ANCHOR: Carabiner (Via Ferrata K-Type, Locking): Kong Tango - https://amzn.to/4nJEa2T SKILLS and RELATED VIDEOS Are Hiking Boots or Trail Runner Shoes Better for Hiking? - https://youtu.be/6jdoPSw6aL0 Alpine Quickdraw (Short Tutorial) - https://youtu.be/ExpHb8NepU4 Alpine Quickdraw (Deep Dive) - https://youtu.be/anO5Tr5OJuA Klemheist (Short Tutorial) - https://youtu.be/kRJclBvkCPs Prusik vs. Klemheist: Which is better for beginners? - https://youtu.be/Up2UWcgQZy0 National Park Service Half Dome page - https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/halfdome.htm Seasonal Installation of Half Dome Cables (note that instructor uses a Klemheist at 0:47!) - https://www.nps.gov/nps-audiovideo/audiovideo/3f7f77a8-82a9-4bc3-8895-66a1e6bf21fb720p.mp4 Climbing Half Dome: What You Need to Know (Day Hike / Over Night / Cables Up / Cables Down) - https://youtu.be/POgYv78LpGo Half Dome in a Day - https://youtu.be/pTvQKpweZw0 My Gear for Climbing Half Dome (Cables Up) - https://youtu.be/9A5CBEgOVnk Is It Safe to Climb Half Dome? - https://youtu.be/dkzPR7t6pzs What To Do On TOP of Half Dome! - https://youtu.be/fW9JIgjLjwA My Best Hiking Fail: Bailing on Half Dome - https://youtu.be/GZOnXWTROEY 0:00 Gear Fails on Half Dome 0:22 Different Ways to Climb Half Dome 0:50 Disclaimers 1:37 What Does "Cables Down" Really Mean? 2:15 Using Climbing Gear on Half Dome Cables 2:32 Why Climb Half Dome with the Cables Down? 3:03 Clothing 3:45 Footwear 4:41 Gloves 7:09 Climbing Harness 9:06 Friction Attachment: Cord Loop 10:32 Friction Attachment: Sling 11:10 Tying the Alpine Quickdraw 12:34 Friction Attachment: Carabiners 13:13 Tying the Klemheist Hitch 15:11 Why Not Use a Prusik Hitch? 16:41 Anchor/Backup 16:55 Tying a Girth Hitch 17:08 Navigating Transfer Points 18:23 Anchor/Backup: Dynamic Sling 20:07 Anchor/Backup: K-Type Carabiner 21:56 System Stats: Weight and Cost 22:10 Bonus Tip #1: Stay in Your Lane 22:30 Bonus Tip #2: Descending Difficulty 23:06 Bonus Tip #3: Beware Cable Burs LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and CLICK the BELL for #camping, #hiking, #backpacking, and the gear that goes with it! Using these product links helps this channel grow at no cost to you. THANKS! WEBSITE - https://www.BackcountryPilgrim.com INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/backcountrypilgrim/ FREE BACKPACKING CHECKLIST: https://www.BackcountryPilgrim.com/2021/03/12/hiking-backpacking-checklist MY HIKING GEAR: https://www.BackcountryPilgrim.com/my-hiking-gear ----- MUSIC ----- Intro/Outro Music: "Happiness" Composer: Benjamin Tissot Standard License certificate #2232653 from bensound.com ES_Thunder Storm 04 - Fredrik Ekstrom - https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/22aade45-fa65-3c07-b078-09f7fbac733d/ ES_Last Try - Daniel Fridell - https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/ec6da33c-44b8-4f5b-8baa-be1ee5b2c2a5/ ES_Sensors Surrender - Ave Air - https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/6ff9a5c8-a399-48ad-92e6-950c3bd96f8c/