I plan on buying the book on this website "One Best Hike: Yosemite's Half Dome" and doing more research on the hike as well as general yosemite hikes and things to do while I'm there this july, but I got chosen for a half dome cable permit this summer and I am excited. Before anyone tells me how it's not for the faint of heart, I'm completely aware of how difficult it is. I am an active individual and in good shape. Although I haven't hiked a mountain of 16 miles in one day, I am ready for the challenge as I'm going on a workout and fitness schedule starting next week now that I finally got notice I have the permits for the hike.
My inquiry is for those who have hiked half dome, all the way to the top and back in a day. My group and I plan on doing it in a day so I am very curious for those who have done this. I want to be prepared when I do this hike so I would definitely like to know some things.
Before the initial hike or yosemite trip, did you do any physical preparation before your trip such as daily runs or anything to get in a good physical shape? So when did you leave in the morning and how long did it take you to do the whole hike (minus time spent at the summit sight seeing)? I don't want to bog myself with tons of food in the morning so any recommendations on what you had for breakfast and what kind of food to bring with you along the way? I'm not really sure what and how much of what to bring with me in a hiking backpack so what kind of things and how did you bring with you as far as food rations, water, and other essentials, such as water treatment? Did you bring any specific equipment as far as gloves for the cables? As far as shoes go, what kind of shoes with tread do I need? I have hiking boots now that come up a little on the ankle but I've read people recommend like running shoes or the athletic hiking shoes that look like low ankle running/ tennis shoes.
I think that's a pretty general list of questions, but I don't really know what else to ask. I really want to be prepared so if you guys can answer me as detailed as possible. I just want to know how to be physically prepared before I go like how much I should be able to run or walk in prepartion for that long of a hike and then what specifically I should prepare for the hike as far as food and water and then the hike itself. Thank you very much.