Half dome with a back pack

[Troy]

I will be on a multiday backpacking trip and am scheduled to hike up half dome in the middle of the trip. Do people hike up the cables with their backpack on or leave it at the base of the cables? Should I bring gloves or use the ones that people have left there?

[WanderingJim]

Yes, bring gloves with good thick palms.

If you're backpacking, a lot of people leave their excess camping gear at the junction of the John Muir Trail and the Half Dome Trail. Then go up with a light day pack or their backpack without all the extra gear. No way am I taking 30-35 pounds up the cables on my back.

Or plan to stay a night near that junction and leave your gear at camp. Tons of good spots around there.

And a lot of people leave backpacks and hiking sticks at the top of the sub dome below the cables. But don't leave any food in packs down there that aren't in bear resistant containers. Marmots and squirrels will get into them.