The inaugural Half Dome Climb for Hope is being rescheduled for July 14, 2011. That's right, get out your training shoes. Build your campus team! Only a few months to train, and although the weather prevented us from doing the hike in October, we will be there this July! Kari Cobb, head of media relations at Yosemite National Park commented, “Half Dome will always be here.”
THURSDAY July 14, 2011
5:00 a.m. Half Dome trailhead (Mist Trail) – elevation: 4100 ft
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Half Dome summit – elevation: 8836 ft
5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Press Conference – Half Dome trailhead
THE HALF DOME climb is actually part hike and part climb. It requires no specialized equipment or training, and thousands of visitors successfully make the trek each year. Nevertheless, it is physically demanding and not without its risks, and the final ascent near the summit will test the faint of heart. But for those with the fortitude, it is a spectacular and rewarding experience.
Rudy Chavarria on College vs Cancer and the “Half Dome Climb for Hope”:
I’ve had more than a few friends both young and old – college graduates or parents of college students – succumb to cancer. I founded College vs Cancer largely in response to them. I’ve learned that hope takes courage and tenacity, and the Half Dome climb is symbolic of that. Yosemite has always been an inspirational and meaningful place to me. It is so awe-inspiring yet so unforgiving – it definitely demands respect. My hope is that this event will garner support from other college students who will take up the cause and climb along with me. My greater aim, through the help of the media, is to create a buzz, a rallying cry to enlist the support of people everywhere.
In July, I hope to have at least one student from each California University joining me on the hike. It only seems appropriate that college students that can join me on the hike do so. We will be handing out Clif Bars from our sponsor to all who join the hike.
“Half Dome Climb for Hope” is sponsored by CLIF BAR & COMPANY.