And finally, the climb itself.

Well, first the approach, which many consider the crux of the climb. It was pretty bad. The predicted 1 hour from LYV must of been from a Michael Kelsey clone - we took 2-1/2 hour. It was hot. It was steep, loose and unpleasant. Just when it got worst, gnats and mosquitos would appear to heckle us. etc. etc. We finally made it to the base of the climb.

Strapped on the gear and started up the first pitch. Harder and less secure than I remembered but easy enough. I found a belay, and brought Alicia up, lowering her part of the used rope to re-belay for the traverse (worked well).

Alicia smiling broadly at the top of pitch 1.

Should she really be smiling so broadly, with this as the belay anchor??? Oh, plus a cam. (It is more solid than it looks here).

Rack for Snake Dike. Shoulda had 2 3X length slings, and 4 locking biners - enough to set up 2 semi-hanging belay stations. As is, made due with quickdraws. Used everything at least once.

Alicia prepares for the 2nd pitch traverse. In this case, she untied, I pulled the rope up through the pro, and threw it back down to her, so she could do the traverse with reasonable protection. Kudos to Alicia for climbing well with a not-small pack on (a key Alpine skill).

Pitch 3: climb 80' of 5.4. Clip a bolt. Climb 80' of 5.4. Clip the belay.

Several hours later, the last roped pitch.

A cool place in the overlaps to pack up the gear, change shoes, have a quick bite to eat.

Endless third class to the summit. Nice views!

Endless third class to the summit. Here you can see the angle of the upper flank of Half Dome.

Endless third class to the summit. White puffy clouds.