Yosemite Half Dome Accident | The 9/21/23 Thunderstorm

Рет қаралды 43,978

Күн бұрын

WARNING: VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Some people may find this video disturbing. During the hike, people were injured due to a thunderstorm. The links to news articles, KZfaq videos, and TikToks surrounding the thunderstorm events of September 21st, 2023 are here. Thank you to Ulises Longoria and Jordan Dean for the featured video content. Don't forget to subscribe!
1) Ulises Longoria's Video: • Accident at Half Dome ...
2) NBC Bay Area TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@nbcbayarea/vi...
3) NBC Bay Area News: www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local...
4) SFist News: sfist.com/2023/09/26/hikers-s...
5) SF Chronicle News: www.sfchronicle.com/climate/a...
The events of September 21, 2023 at the top of Half Dome still seem hard to believe. As told above, a thunderstorm came in around 12:15pm while many people were still at the top of the dome. In the gradually intensifying hail, the hikers at the summit frantically climbed down at the same time, causing traffic on the way down. With dense fog covering the landscape, rain flowed down the slippery rocks, causing each hiker to be extremely cautious. Suddenly, I heard the screams of people down below. I could only assume the worst had happened. A woman lost her grip on the cables and fell 100 feet off the side of the dome, though luckily landing on a ledge below.
My heart sank upon hearing the screams. I was still in the middle of the cables, still countless wooden planks to descend before seeking refuge. The only thing I could control was retaining a tight grip, inching my feet down to the next wooden step, and praying for the hail to stop. The hail only got harder, pelting the hikers like needles. Suddenly, a jolt of lightning shook the metal cables, shaking everyone holding on for a brief second. Retaining cognitive ability, I was unsure of what just happened, only confirming it was a lightning strike since others felt the jolt as well. Thus, at each wooden plank, I opted to not hold on the metal cables in the fear of another imminent strike.
The planks seemed to be never ending. Plank after plank we prayed, wishing to be off the dome as quickly as possible. There were now three ways to die; first by slipping, second by hypothermia, and lastly by the seemingly random lightning strikes. Yet after 45 minutes of a near-death descent, I made it to the bottom. Those at the bottom were met by a helicopter unable to land in the hail, looking for the fallen woman.
As I looked back at the cables, countless people were still finding their way down. A small glimpse revealed a man sitting on a plank with a cut knee, blood dripping down the wet rock, painting the gray canvas red. It was truly gruesome to see, and I couldn't look anymore. If it weren't for people huddling with emergency blankets behind a rock, I may have very well gotten hypothermia.
And so that was my Half Dome adventure, unfortunately. For those who look to climb the cables, BE VERY CAREFUL. DO NOT attempt the cables without gloves, an emergency blanket, or a first aid kit. Wear hiking boots with excellent grip, and make sure your body is 100% trained before climbing. Weather is unpredictable, even on days with sunny forecasts.
🕛 Timestamps: 🕑
Viewer Warning: 0:00
Cinematic Introduction: 0:41
To Vernal Falls: 1:27
To Little Yosemite Valley: 2:12
To the Subdome: 5:59
Half Dome Climb: 7:26
The Thunderstorm: 9:05
Check out my channel & Subscribe! / @jeffreyyoh
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Day Hiking the Enchantments Traverse:
• Day Hiking the Enchant...
#halfdome #yosemite #yosemitenationalpark #hiking

Пікірлер: 139

@angievelado206 10 ай бұрын

I was there too. My boyfriend is the guy that got hit by lighting. It was terrifying. Thanks for sharing your perspective of that day. We’ve found many videos from people and we now have a full story of what happened Sept 21,2023

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

wow, that must have been truly horrifying! I'm glad you guys are safe now :) I see you also made a video as well, thanks for sharing

@MOAB-UT 9 ай бұрын

If he got hit, he would be dead. It struck NEAR him and he felt it- did not hit him directly.

@rah938 9 ай бұрын

Lightning doesn’t have to strike you to kill you. My brother in law was killed as he slept in his tent by a ground charge. Your boyfriend was very, very lucky.

@MOAB-UT 9 ай бұрын

@@rah938 They were exhagerating for views. Very common. Sorry about your B.I.L RIP

@rah938 9 ай бұрын

@@MOAB-UT Yes, I realize. It just pushed my buttons, I’m sensitive to displays of colossal stupidity, like risking your life in so cavalier a fashion. It cost my sister’s husband dearly, all to overnight on a rocky promontory to take in the seasonal meteor showers. But thanks for the kind words.

@phil1333 10 ай бұрын

Hey Jeff! I'm the father of the girl you hikded down the cables with. Crazy day! The series of events that took place in a such a short amount of time were mind-boggling. We made it down safe, nobody died and we live to fight another day. Glory be to God! Thanks for making this video.

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

Hello, you must be Kay's dad! Yes I'm glad we all made it down safe, that day felt like the longest day ever. Thanks for watching :)

@user-rs9np8bc2c 9 ай бұрын

Thank You ( LORD)

@PixicsAdventure 10 ай бұрын

That women that fell was really lucky, it's a miracle. This makes me not want to ever do that hike.

@mogall8718 9 ай бұрын

Don’t let that scare you. I’ve done it twice. I checked weather conditions first and it was the best thing I’ve ever done

@ZerolinGD 9 ай бұрын

don't do it if there's dark clouds when you're at the subdome and you'll be fine

@thrummer1953 2 ай бұрын

I did it and it is one of My fondest Hiking memories. Dangerous but manageable. Highly recommended.

@leinad2327 9 ай бұрын

Not smart to climb that day! I’ve done Half Dome 3 times, all with clear skies and dry. The granite was slippery enough even in those conditions.

@ceciliajauriqui3746 9 ай бұрын

You can see the storms rolling in from a distance and they usually roll in at the same time every day but as soon as you see them, you have to get down!!!

@dabbking 9 ай бұрын

Yeah idk east these people are thinking

@mikekorn6968 9 ай бұрын

I'm super athletic. I hiked up there 15 years ago. Cables were down. I got gloves anyway & began up. Got about 20 yards & nearly froze but was able to reverse back down. Don't mess with it like me. Very dangerous. Good luck

@josephastier7421 9 ай бұрын

As I recall that sign at the base of the cables says don't go up there if ANY clouds are visible. I'm glad you made it and that everyone lived, but dang.

@WindTurbineSyndrome 9 ай бұрын

Ulises who is mentioned in this video (at 630 min in) also posted footage of the climb. Beautiful footage in your video. Glad you were safe. What a view! I hope to visit Yosemite some day.

@jeffreyyoh 9 ай бұрын

Yes, Ulises' video gives more details about what happened! Glad I was able to hike with him and make it down safely together. Definitely visit one day, Yosemite Valley is beautiful :)

@kayakinggrandmakelly7105 9 ай бұрын

This video is so beautiful that I don’t need to hike it. I can just watch this.

@jeffreyyoh 9 ай бұрын

awesome, I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

@NoExperienceRequired 9 ай бұрын

I just watched Ulises’s video earlier. Great to see your perspective on that day too. Wow. That said, I can’t wait to climb it too!

@jeffreyyoh 9 ай бұрын

Yes, Ulises' video is really crazy! Be extremely careful when you climb it :)

@NoExperienceRequired 9 ай бұрын

@@jeffreyyoh I’m actually thinking of trying the hike with the ropes down now, sometime next spring. Somehow seems safer after watching a bunch of videos now.

@jeffreyyoh 9 ай бұрын

@@NoExperienceRequired whoa that's crazy. be sure to wear sandals and don't bring water while you're there! you don't want all that extra weight to slow you down

@NoExperienceRequired 9 ай бұрын

@@jeffreyyoh For sure, maybe even do it barefoot too!

@NoExperienceRequired 8 ай бұрын

@@jeffreyyoh I was planning to wear Crocs but with the back strap down though, can’t be too careful!

@dereckfleury9018 6 ай бұрын

I finally found the video! I was the one recording you at the base of the dome before the climb! We were right above the person who first fell and luckily made it down safe.

@jeffreyyoh 6 ай бұрын

oh my goodness, yes thanks for helping me record! I'm so glad we all got down safe!

@drewyager4020 9 ай бұрын

Don’t skip the intro. That was some great filming. 1:10 I was like heck yeah!!! Definitely when you see storms coming turn around and hike another day.

@jeffreyyoh 9 ай бұрын

Thank you, that means a lot! And yes, you're definitely right and unfortunately I learned it the hard way

@PixicsAdventure 10 ай бұрын

Really good story telling on your video, and congratulations on your hike up half dome. I am too scared to go up there, but it's look beautiful.

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

thank you! yes, the views from the subdome do just fine 😅

@reubengarcia4773 9 ай бұрын

Man that was scary. That weather can be unpredictable & that could be deadly & Glad everyone was ok. I just spent 4 days in Yosemite September 11-14th. I found a climber that did the half dome hike & we had an Awesome conversation. I’m planning to do the Half Dome hike Next September & watched many videos of it. Hopefully i get a permit & cant wait to submit my application in march 🤞 Loved the 1st song from Hanz Zimmer “Now we are free”🎶😉👍

@jeffreyyoh 9 ай бұрын

Awesome, glad you enjoyed Yosemite while you were there! Be careful when you get your chance to do Half Dome, and yes Hans Zimmer is the best :)

@Actual_Sense 9 ай бұрын

If you need a raincoat on the approach and the sky is dark, that is indicating bad weather later. I also understand rain was in the forecast for this day. I'm glad everyone was safe, but would like to argue that this is not the result of unpredictable weather.

@ZerolinGD 9 ай бұрын

@@Actual_Sense Yeah, this weather was not unpredictable. Based on the clouds visible before going up the subdome this was inevitable.

@PixicsAdventure 10 ай бұрын

It's pretty common for things to by dryer in September since all the snow melt happens in the Spring. If you go to Zion around the same time, the water level is low enough to hike.

@jonhaley8642 10 ай бұрын

Great hiking with you. I am thankful you got down safely

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

Hey Jon! Yes, I'm glad we were all safe in the end. Thank you so much for the permit and hopefully one day I'll do the Rockies in Colorado :)

@LTV_inc 9 ай бұрын

Nice! I’ve been to the park a dozen times and still want to go back. Be safe out there.

@dhruvgore9764 10 ай бұрын

Beautiful hike! Glad you're safe!

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

Thanks Dhruv! Couldn't miss out on this opportunity 😄

@rogsolaris7411 9 ай бұрын

Possibly my worst nightmare. Beautiful landscape!

@SirenaWomanWarrior 3 күн бұрын

I just watched the longoria guys video and then found yours and realized you were both on the samehike

@jeffreyyoh 2 күн бұрын

Yep we went up the hike together- he documented a lot more on his video though!

@sarahchen9452 10 ай бұрын

great video jeff!! glad you’re safe

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

thanks Sarah! yes I am glad to be alive 🤣

@MNP208 9 ай бұрын

Wow, beautiful footage! we hiked up the mist trail and down the John Muir. I really wanted to hike further but we had a dog waiting for us at the campground. We didn’t get a permit either. It was very dry for us last summer too.

@user-xe2zn6vk2r 10 ай бұрын

Keep up the great videos man!! 🫶

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@kuzii5399 10 ай бұрын

Hands down amazing 🙌

@user-wg3mi4dd9c 9 ай бұрын

That's absolutely beautiful

@CBeard849 8 ай бұрын

I made that hike 3 times way before they started requiring permits. All 3 times I was blessed with good weather. I can't imagine the danger involved with being on those cables during a lightning storm.

@chadnolansmith- 9 ай бұрын

Hello! We talked with you at the top, you took a photo for us, and we’re actually in your video. Nice video and thanks for sharing…that was a crazy day

@jeffreyyoh 9 ай бұрын

Hello, I'm glad you found the video! Happy that everyone was able to get down :)

@PixicsAdventure 10 ай бұрын

Crazy, a real bad day for all the people involved in the accident. It's so beautiful though, I can see why people hike it.

@MrPhchello 9 ай бұрын

Beautiful and scary! Scared of heights but still want to try it. Glad to hear there were no casualties that day. Hopefully one day 😊

@c.s.mcleod7383 9 ай бұрын

I'm afraid of heights. No way I would even think of attempting the climb.

@sambodhmitra1973 7 ай бұрын

What a crazy story! Glad you're safe :)))

@seniorzhang9114 29 күн бұрын

Wow, amazing. Glad everyone returned safely. Weather could be so unpredictable

@antonioaguirre9663 10 ай бұрын

Gave me the chills when you said " im dead" im glad you didn't end up on the Outdoor Disasters channel

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

haha what a way to foreshadow the imminent events 🥲 i'm glad no one died that day

@daquandollar3692 10 ай бұрын

Goat upload 💯💯💯

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

thank you, the iconic daquandollar 😤

@entropyfu 9 ай бұрын

Hiked it in late August. It's pretty slick even when dry, I can't imagine doing it when that rock is wet.

@rhousto1 6 ай бұрын

I've done it three times but we had good weather each time. It's a challenge but totally worth it. One on my climbs was after they removed the poles, as they do each fall. No harness, and we were the only ones on top for quite some time.

@BecKnBikes 10 ай бұрын

Half Dome looks FULL DANGEROUS 🥺

@BecKnBikes 9 ай бұрын

@phillydisco I bet..I can see how people get determined to do this but never me lol

@scottyjbd 3 ай бұрын

Amazing story! Someone falls, people are struck by lightning, many are trapped and hailed on, and no one dies. 👏 Thanks for sharing.

@bc9856 10 ай бұрын

Awesome video.

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@BW-pr8qr 13 күн бұрын

6:35 With ANY threat of rain AT ALL, you should not climb the cables.

@ssas98 9 ай бұрын

I'd say ONLY hike there if you are a very experienced hiker! The permit should include a physical test!

@kaykowalewski7899 10 ай бұрын

I gotta hike mist trail in the spring next time. That looked crazy!! haha

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

Yes you totally should! I'm glad you and your parents made it down safely and thanks for keeping me sane on the cables :D

@JeremyKang8 10 ай бұрын

Great video

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@susanKWithAnE 9 ай бұрын

It rained before you started the ascent? Face-palm

@toshiyaar7885 9 ай бұрын

So grateful that people did not die. So sorry the weather turned bad. What a scary beautiful place!

@jeffreyyoh Сағат бұрын

Yes, very grateful as well- there was another recent accident on the mountain too :(

@geoffreyz123 10 ай бұрын

So good 😭😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏

@_C_E_C_ 9 ай бұрын

Just came from Ulises' video about this. He was the guy whos permit you got to be able to hike. Crazy..

@jeffreyyoh Сағат бұрын

Yeah it was super crazy!

@roar1149 3 сағат бұрын

It would be prudent if those hiking the cables had the upper body strength to be able to fully hang on if footing is lost. That large girl that slipped had no chance. I'm not making fun, it's actually scary that she attempted such a difficult route. Unless you're a climber, it's probably a good idea to use prussian knot, helmet and check the forecast. You could even see the rain hours ahead and the storm clouds before attempting summit. Storms develop unexpectedly but planning ahead would help too. I'm glad you and your new friend stayed safe.

@64wulf45 13 күн бұрын

I just read in the news a poor woman died because of a sudden lighting storm and fell off the slippery path. I wonder if using clips per section would help ensure people did not slide off? It's terrible that happens every year, you are lucky and I am glad no one as hurt that day!

@Blackdog4818 7 ай бұрын

Is it 11 hours up and back?

@grayjusa 8 ай бұрын

I did this hike in 2009 and thought it was kinda kooky with all the people and the ladder. We did Yosemite falls the day before and I thought that was more difficult. We basically ran up it tho.

@christiner2472 9 ай бұрын

We hiked to Vernal Falls in the late 80s! Does this count. Lolz. I put my feet in the falls and it was freezing but felt great after our maybe 2 hour hike. Forget the details it was a long time ago. 😂

@PixicsAdventure 10 ай бұрын

Good way to meet friends, I guess it's a good thing not to get a permit

@shortylucy 9 ай бұрын

OMg, this was the same day as that Spanish peaking guy … and the lady in front of him that freaked out. Bananas!!

@alexwang3363 10 ай бұрын

The intro makes me want to go hiking so bad

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

brooo Grand Canyon rim-to-rim 😩 who says no?

@dad102 9 ай бұрын

So cool. I did it twice.

@krabbe3 10 ай бұрын

So whats the issue why there was a traffic jam? Is the rock that slippery during rain or do some people ascend with not the right footwear (hiking boots) ?

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

Yes, the rock was extremely slippery even with the right hiking boots in the hailstorm. There essentially was water flowing down the rock as we descended so we could only rely on our cable grip to go down safely. Additionally, a woman fell down below, making everyone all extremely cautious. Passing by wasn't an option, so it was a single file line descending plank by plank until we could get to the bottom. Lightning also struck the cables, so we were cautious not to hold on the metal cables while resting on the wooden planks. Some people didn't have the right gloves (or any gloves), making the whole process slower.

@krabbe3 10 ай бұрын

@@jeffreyyoh Sounds like hell... I wanna do half Dome before the end of the season this year but now I'm pretty unsure about it 😕 Are there thunderstorms every day or if the weather forecast says sunny it is sunny? Or is the weather changing like really quick?

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

@@krabbe3 The weather fluctuates quite a bit, unfortunately. When I went, the forecast showed 5% chance of rain and we ended up getting hounded by a storm. I would say feel free to do the hike until the cables, and evaluate the conditions while you're there! The hike up until the cables will be safe and the view from the subdome is gorgeous as well :)

@krabbe3 10 ай бұрын

@@jeffreyyoh ok so if there are no visible clouds at subdome I can try the ascend? How long does it take to get up and down half Dome from sub dome?

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

@@krabbe3 Yes, definitely check for clouds. The cables itself take roughly 20 minutes up and 20 minutes down! The hike to the subdome is roughly 8 miles, though. Let me know if you have any more questions!

@c.s.mcleod7383 9 ай бұрын

3:55 "I met an old friend. What's your name?"😂(Yes,I twisted actual dialogue.)

@andrewcheng5288 10 ай бұрын

Wait I know this guy!!!

@jeffreyyoh 10 ай бұрын

oh shoot I think I know him too!

@paulkramer4176 9 ай бұрын

You guys were pretty fortunate not to have worse consequences. Normally they used to close the cables when there was any chance of lightning. I've climbed around there a fair amount, but only climbed on the cables maybe 4 or 5 times. You also got a decent view from the top. Often in the summer the view is poor because of smoke. And of course in a storm, people want to shelter in caves, but caves are "magnets" for lightning and should be avoided if there is any chance of lightning. Glad all survived.

@jeffreyyoh 9 ай бұрын

I see, how were the cables when you climbed Half Dome? Were they extremely crowded as well?

@craigbritton1089 9 ай бұрын

I have never seen the cables closed for a possible thunderstorm; people are told not to climb it then.

@MOAB-UT 9 ай бұрын

I did it in 2019 and a women DIED the next day. Rain came in on a sunny day- she slipped and fell 500 feet. ALWAYS use a safety harness. The tether that attaches to the cable needs to have two clips on it so one is always on the cable when you unclip the other. Even if you are a good climber, remember, a 200lb. man 10 feet above you can slip and take you clean off the hill. R.I.P. Danielle She had a harness but was not clipped on when the rain set it. It happened real fast. We saw the helicoper body recovery operation. They did not even bring her into the chopper- she was about 100 feet below it in a covered basket. No need and that also takes extra time. It was very sobering and sureal. Enjoy nature, but respect those mountains and that weather. Your situation was clearly a no go but you hiked all the way up and you were to excited to stop. It almost cost you everything. I also noticed I was more careless on the way down. I too was excited, very happy (victorious!) I was not clipped in for most of my decent which in hindsight was not too smart either. Glad you survived and everyone was mostly ok, with (video) and fun stories to tell! www.nytimes.com/2019/09/07/us/yosemite-half-dome-hiker-death.html

@jeffreyyoh 9 ай бұрын

Yes, you're exactly right. I'm sorry that happened. Sometimes, a lot of things are outside our control, and although we could always be better prepared, we have to respect nature for what it can do. It definitely makes you rethink life as a whole.

@MOAB-UT 9 ай бұрын

@@jeffreyyoh Your going real deep my man. Just use a harness and don't do dumb sh*t like idunno, hiking up rock faces with a clear impending storm coming. And no- everything is in our control. Nothing happens TO us, it happens BECAUSE of us. Choices have consequences. Cool video though- despite you cut it off at the most interesting time cause you were afraid. You will hike up a sheer rock face during a storm but afraid your camera is going to kill ya? Interesting. Keep climbing higher- always.

@dabneyoffermein595 3 ай бұрын

the cables are not for the faint of heart. not sure where the "viewer discretion is advised" comes into play. safety comes into play knowing what's going to happen with the weather and avoiding it all together, not advancing cautiously. any chance of rain at all and you are absolutely slipping down without harness & biners. Gravity 1, climbers 0

@stoneymcneal2458 9 ай бұрын

There was nothing in this video that required a warning from the narrator.

@carlwilliams6977 9 ай бұрын

8:30 With all due respect buddy, you should have been heading down at this point or sooner, and not sitting there shooting a video! I hope you appreciate that now!

@jeffreyyoh 9 ай бұрын

Yes, you are absolutely right! I found out too late and had to learn that the hard way.

@Russojap2 7 ай бұрын

I can't believe the park service actually encourages people to climb up this thing...🤷 Tyat set-up is obviously inadequate and dangerous. What they need to do is charge for the permit to traverse it and hire a company to outfit the hikers with harnesses and assist them. They should really build a permanent set of steps there with safety rails.

@evanshaw17 8 ай бұрын

As an experience, Sierra mountain guide in wilderness first responder the problem is that beginners are scared of things that they don’t need to be, and not scared of things that they should be. An intermediate hiker has a good grasp of what to be afraid of and what not to be afraid of, very experience person like myself has to be careful not to become complacent. Everyone has things to be careful about what you guys did. There was so incredibly irresponsible to yourself and the people that had to come and rescue people very very very very wrong. Why did this happen as a beginner you underestimate the risk of things you must listen to people who have more experience and knowledge Because you’re going to make some fatal mistakes you came with an inches of dying on that day. The speed and ferocity of a storm in the Sierras is something that people don’t realize the storms can come in between 30 and 70 miles an hour people have died up there many people, it’s not a pleasant way to die.