To the editor: My suggestion for making Half Dome safer is to take the cables down. Not simply a part of the 12 months, as is completed now, however all 12 months. (“After a young woman falls to her death in Yosemite, Half Dome’s risks are on everyone’s mind,” Aug. 8)
Pounding extra wood slats into the rock simply makes the state of affairs worse and the rock extra ugly. It additionally would give climbers a false sense of safety.
Half Dome is harmful. And that is appropriately. Nationwide parks aren’t Disneyland; they’re a part of nature. Nature contains hazard. Guests cannot anticipate to be completely protected, particularly when climbing an nearly vertical rock face.
It is tragic {that a} younger girl fell to her loss of life descending Half Dome and that her father noticed her die. My coronary heart goes out to him. However we shouldn’t commemorate her loss of life by attempting to subdue Half Dome and nationwide parks basically. Wild locations, even semi-wild locations, are good for the soul.
To make Half Dome safer, take down the cables.
Connie Stewart, Santa Monica
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To the editor: Your article appears to point that Yosemite Nationwide Park is chargeable for making the climb to Half Dome’s summit safer.
In my view, including further wood slats to the route wouldn’t take away the numerous inherent danger of the climb, particularly when the steep granite will get moist.
Having climbed the Half Dome cables twice, I be a part of hundreds of different profitable climbers in finishing the outing safely. All skilled outside fanatics know there are important inherent dangers to the climb, they usually proceed with excessive warning when the climate is threatening.
I can perceive why Yosemite officers didn’t reply to your request for feedback on revising the cables. The one efficient resolution is to completely take away them altogether, because the park does for a lot of the 12 months. In case your article generates a major response, that sadly may very well be the result.
I say all of this with excessive sympathy prolonged to Grace Rohloff’s father and her complete household. What a tragic loss.
Robert James Riewerts, Los Angeles
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To the editor: At age 27 in 1978, I used to be an skilled climber and wilderness information. I wore Vibram-soled climbing boots, no harness and no gloves after I simply ascended the Half Dome cables.
I see no downside with the cables immediately. Climbing the cables is on no account harmful. The hazard lies with inexperienced folks trying a climb that’s far past their potential.
Two inviolable climbing guidelines when ascending any peak are be ready and know when to show again. The issue with the cables is that individuals break these guidelines.
Individuals who break these guidelines characterize a hazard to themselves and different climbers. Individuals who fail to show round when they’re unprepared, scared, exhausted and clearly stretched past their skills are the true hazard on Half Dome.
Let the cables be. Display screen allow candidates extra rigorously, because the hazard lies with a few of them, not the cables.
Invoice Good, Santa Barbara
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To the editor: Anybody’s loss of life on Half Dome is a tragedy.
Mountaineering up the final quarter-mile of the quartz monzonite batholith is harmful. Anybody contemplating it’s suggested that it’s a lengthy, tough hike that ends with a difficult and, sure, considerably harmful quarter-mile ultimate ascent.
Including extra footholds wouldn’t make it significantly safer. Depart Half Dome as it’s.
GP Williams, Pasadena
This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Times.
