The real reason for climbing Snake Dike - standing on the summit of Half Dome. If you're scared of exposure, I wouldn't recommend looking over the edge :). April 24, 2013

All Locations > California > Yosemite NP > Yosemite Valley > Valley S Side > D. Half Dome > 4. Southwest Face > Snake Dike (5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b R)

The real reason for climbing Snake Dike - standing on the summit of Half Dome. If you're scared of exposure, I wouldn't recommend looking over the edge :). April 24, 2013

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I got engaged on the top of SnakeDike. I clipped the engagement ring to the back of her harness as we were walking up the endless slabs! Amazing route worthy of a life long memory!

Descending--late May 2011

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4.7 from 26 votes

Jason Albino

Apr 27, 2013

“The real reason for climbing Snake Dike - standing on the summit of Half Dome. If you're scared of exposure, I wouldn't recommend looking over the edge :). April 24, 2013”

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Nearby Photos

High Res photo of the route, as well as top slabs as shot from Glacier Point. Most accurate perspective you can get of the route at large. Although my topo drawing may wander near the top. Note the party on route and people on the top for scale.
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www.mattkuehlphoto.com

Safer alternate start for Snake Dike. Photo borrowed from "looks easy from here" at SuperTopo and edited.

NOT COOL!!!! a hueco at a belay stance that is filled with PISS!!! This is gross and un acceptable... piss on the face off to the side of the route where it can evaporate and rinse in the rain... or in a bottle or whatever, the piss in the hole here has been cooking in the sun for weeks!!!

Extreme stemming on Snake Dike. Thanks Jason Halladay for the beta!

The west face of Half Dome, home of the Snake Dike.

Approach beta from Clint Cummins

Length of the actual climb, and a more accurate look at the NEVER ENDING SLAB that you hike up after the 8th pitch

Stemming two dikes up high on Snake Dike. Sometimes it pays to be 6'5". September 2007.

I got engaged on the top of SnakeDike. I clipped the engagement ring to the back of her harness as we were walking up the endless slabs! Amazing route worthy of a life long memory!

The real reason for climbing Snake Dike - standing on the summit of Half Dome. If you're scared of exposure, I wouldn't recommend looking over the edge :). April 24, 2013

Descending--late May 2011

Start of p 4

Showing that the angle and the texture of the rock make the runouts feel very comfortable.

Midnight climbing on the dike

The huge arch on the upper 5.easy pitches gives a cool perspective on the exfoliation of the granite.

Coming up the slabs after the technical climbing was done. The smoke from the El Portal fire that started while we were up there is visible in the background.

DK leading up the fourth pitch.

8/29/15 - Overlooking El Cap from the half-dome summit as the sun set and the full moon rose for our decent.

Dike hikin' on Snake Dike

This is one of the exposed sections of the approach. There is over 100 feet of exposure. You can't fall here. There are several exposed sections like this. This is located at 37.738456, -119.538115 Photo taken March 19, 2015.

Atop half a dome, via S.D. 17 Sep 2011.

A really cool feature we found while scrambling the upper part of Halfdome El Cap is in the back ground...

Adam standing on the "The Visor" at the Half Dome summit after climbing Snake Dike, April 24, 2013

Almost a full view of the route.

Multiple parties on Snake Dike

DK on pitch 4

A bunch of parties on Snake Hike

Big run out on easy rock FUN

Snake Dike by @drawingsfordirtbags

Rope gunners scrambling to protect our followers near the top. Shot with my film camera.

Descending down the Half Dome Cables while they are down and w/o steps. Good idea to bring gloves

My dad and a view of the bottom half of the route... many parties wait at the base... glad we got an early start...

Trav Strong leading out pitch 2.

The descent. Honestly this is the worst part of the climb. Hordes of people, early season with the cables laying on the rock. Dangerous, to say the least.

The approach, quite gorgeous really.

DK on Pitch 2.

Lost in the Sea of Slab on Snake Dike..John Dull

Looking down the route to the base of the climb.

As you start the 2nd Pitch from the 60 meter rope belay, there is a scenic traverse. From the climbers position you begin to ascend up and right to the next belay station. It'a a great place for a hero picture. This is located at 37.739662, -119.539587 March 19, 2015

Start of third pitch. During a full moon ascent!

The Tree: starting point for Snake Dike

Snake Dyke,<br>
several parties can be seen on the route.

Route Overlay Snake Dike.

Looking east from Glacier Point.

Lane Gyger, Snake Dike. Seth Anderson Photo

View of the base of Snake Dike after exiting the treeline.

There is a fun little pseudo roof to go over about half way up. - Lloyd Ritchey

Lane Gyger, Snake Dike. Seth Anderson Photo

Me and J on the Visor!

Getting a calf workout

Snake Dike topo

This is the 5.5 section on the 1st Pitch if you are going to the 60 meter rope belay station. If you have a short rope, it would be the start of the second pitch. The photo shows the crack at 37.739681, -119.539680

Aerial image showing the approach from Little Yosemite trail. Cut left of Lost Lake, then follow cairns up and to the right almost to the base of Half Dome. Then cut across the base to the left.

Top of P2!!!

3 pitch

The traverse

Ultra Mega 3D beta for your enjoyment
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https://earth.google.com/earth/d/1XUnxziJCl_Z7BVNEEDdfkjk916FACfjZ

End of the the pitch 2 traverse before the diagonal dike up to the belay. Climb straight up from here to link pitches 2 and 3 with a 60m or longer.

On da dike

Adam leading up Pitch 4 of Snake Dike, April 24, 2013. Once you are on the dike, the routefinding is minimal for pitches 4-6 - just follow the singular, massive vertical dike, resting to take in the amazing Valley views below.

In This Photo

Jason Albino

Salt Lake City, UT

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