A perilous summit in Yosemite has caused at least 300 accidents in the past 15 years. Here's why peo
- Half Dome at Yosemite National Park has seen at least 290 accidents and 12 deaths in the past 15 years.
- In May 2018, a 29-year-old biochemist fell to his death during thunderstorms.
- Yosemite authorities initially believed that the deaths were likely caused by overcrowding on the summit, so they began issuing permits.
- A new study found that permits may have actually increased safety risks for climbers.
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In the belly of Yosemite National Park lies a granite dome that's more than 8,800 feet high. Near its summit are twisted metal handrails that allow hundreds of hikers daily to ascend to the very top — a spot once considered inaccessible to humans.
Though the rock formation, known as Half Dome, has become one of Yosemite's most iconic symbols, it's also one of the most dangerous hikes in the US. From 2005 to 2015, Half Dome's perilous climb has prompted at least 140 search-and-rescue missions, 290 accidents, and 12 deaths. (This excludes data from 2010, when the park issued a new permit system.)
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On an overcast day in 2006, a 25-year-old hiker from New Mexico was descending the summit when she slipped and fell 300 feet to her death. The following year, another person died while hiking during inclement weather; her body was found 1,000 feet below the base of the handrails. Also that year, a man who tried to bypass other hikers while ascending the trail died, and his body was airlifted from a crevice in the mountain.
More recently, a 29-year-old biochemist fell to his death during thunderstorms in May 2018. Like the others, he slipped and lost his footing, but it was never determined whether the weather was a factor in his death.
Before 2010, Yosemite authorities believed that the deaths were likely caused by overcrowding on the summit. On peak days, as many as 1,200 hikers could be found attempting the steep climb.
To control for Half Dome's popularity, the National Park Service implemented a rule in 2010 that allows only 300 hikers on the summit per day. They're required to apply for a daily permit.
With fewer people on the mountain, authorities figured, hikers wouldn't be forced to stand during the middle of their climbs, which could lead to fatigue. A smaller crowd might also mean that the trail wouldn't bottleneck during poor weather conditions.
But a recent study in the journal Wilderness & Environmental Medicine found no evidence that the permitting system had reduced the number of deaths, accidents, or search-and-rescue missions.
According to the authors, this means that overcrowding is probably not the main cause of safety issues on the mountain. The authors also found that poor weather conditions such as rain or wind didn't post a major threat to hiker safety.
While more research is needed to determine the cause of accidents, the authors proposed an interesting theory: Because Half Dome limits the number of hikers on the mountain, people who receive a permit might view it as their "one chance" to attempt the climb, which could encourage risk-taking or push people to continue climbing even when they no longer feel safe.
"If anything," the authors said, "the use of permits appears to have increased the individual risk."
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