Yosemite needs to issue rain checks for Half Dome permits. They’re so hard to get, people don’t want to miss out on their Instagram moment. People will still make bad choices but at least you would know that’s not a factor.
Climbing during a storm? What a dumbass. Would have died from something else eventually, like forgetting to breathe.
That seems pretty harsh. Also they weren’t rock climbing, it’s a 14 mile hike where only the last 400 ft involves scaling rock using two metal cables to hold onto, and the storm didn’t roll in until they were making their descent. She was 20 years old. Very few people die doing this.
weren’t rock climbing
It is pretty steep, though.
goes looking for a picture
I do agree that it sounds like they weren’t trying to be up there during a storm, though.
they weren’t trying to be up there during a storm, though.
A ranger told them there were storms in the forecast
Ranger literally told them a storm was forecast. I’m sure they didn’t want to be up there during a storm. I mean who the hell does. But there’s a whole lot of personal responsibility to be had here for their situation.
I would upvote this twice if I could.
Has more details
Ranger told them a storm was forecast
‘Experienced hiker’ but her boots were new
Experienced doesn’t always mean sensible. Just means lucky enough to not have died until then 🫠
Good thing her boots were new though!
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They don’t have any way to make up for it if there’s a storm?
I’ve been in this situation before and no. Usually to get these tickets you got to be near a computer when they release as they go fast. So there isn’t much alternative if they miss the time for any reason.
Usually to get these tickets you got to be near a computer when they release
Many controlled access routes don’t use a lottery, instead are first come, first serve. I’ve hovered over the submit button many times.
But, that’s not how it works in Yosemite. It’s a true lottery. There’s a window of time to submit. Then, selections are random.
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From a different, much more thorough article:
"In 2010, the National Park Service took action to prevent overcrowding that was thought to lead to accidents, particularly in bad weather. It instituted a 300-person-per-day limit on the summit and required hikers to apply for daily permits through the lottery.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work. A 2018 study by Wilderness & Environmental Medicine showed that after the permit system went into effect, the number of incidents per person doubled. The study’s authors theorized that the difficulty in obtaining a permit made people more intent on reaching the summit with their one chance, despite the risks.
“I think it’s good to limit how many people are up there, because it’s obviously very dangerous,” said McGlynn, who despite heavy rain and hail climbed to the start of the cables with her mother to behold Half Dome from below. “But they really do nothing to disincentivize people from doing the climb in bad weather.”
The park doesn’t issue refunds or allow a Half Dome permit to be transferred to another day, she said, and they don’t prioritize permit holders thwarted by storms in future lotteries."
That’s nuts. At the very least offer refunds.
